A new study has shed light on the extent of microplastic pollution in Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar wetland in Kollam district, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and addressing “potential public health concerns.”
Microplastic contamination in Ashtamudi Lake
- Untreated municipal solid waste and plastic debris going into the lake, residential and resort domestic waste is directly discharged into the reservoirs. Due to which microplastics were found in 19.6% of fish and up to 40.9% in shellfish (various mollusc organisms).
- The presence of fibers and dangerous heavy metals (nylon, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene and polysiloxane) has been detected in these microplastics.
Ashtamudi Lake
- Ashtamudi Lake is a lagoon lake located in Kollam district of Kerala. It is octagonal in shape.
- This lake is the second largest lake in Kerala, spread over an area of about 61 square kilometers.
- In 2002, Ashtamudi Wetland was declared a Ramsar site.
What is microplastic
- Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters in length.
- Types: Microplastics can be classified into two types: primary and secondary.
- Examples of primary microplastics include microbeads (exfoliants in health and beauty products, such as cleansers and toothpaste), plastic pellets (nurdles) used in industrial manufacturing, and plastic fibres (such as nylon) used in synthetic textiles.
- These tiny particles easily pass through water filtration systems and end up in seas and lakes, posing a potential threat to aquatic life.
- Secondary microplastics are formed by the breakdown of larger plastics; this usually occurs when larger plastics slowly weather. For example, wave action, wind abrasion, and the sun’s ultraviolet radiation cause plastic to weather.
Microplastic Pollution in the World
- According to the 2024 Plastic Overshoot Day (POD) report, 217 countries will release 3,153,813 tonnes of microplastics into the world’s waterways with China, India, the United States and Japan accounting for 51 per cent of this amount.
- An analysis by Swiss non-profit “EA Earth Action” showed that India will release 391,879 tonnes of microplastics and will be the second largest country in the world to pollute water bodies after China (787,069 tonnes).
- Marine Plastic Pollution: According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a minimum of 8 million tonnes of plastic reaches the oceans each year.
Health and Ecosystem Impacts of Microplastic Pollution
On Human Health
- According to an estimate, an average human consumes at least 50,000 particles of microplastics in food each year.
- Human exposure to microplastics through airborne dust, drinking water (including treated tap water and bottled water) can cause oxidative stress in the airways and lungs when inhaled.
- This can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath due to inflammation and damage, as well as fatigue and dizziness.
- Microplastics can reach our gut where they can affect the stomach and intestines or flow freely in body fluids such as blood, reaching various organs and tissues of the body.
- Negatively affects the nervous system, hormones, immune system and has carcinogenic properties.
Ecosystem and wildlife impacts
- Microplastics do not biodegrade, so they start spreading in soil, air and oceans. Due to their large surface area, they can adsorb a variety of contaminants, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, which can have serious consequences for animal and human welfare.
- Microplastics have the potential to disrupt the reproductive system, cause tissue inflammation and alter feeding behaviour in fish and other marine organisms.
- Microplastics that are ingested can block the gastrointestinal tract of small animals and also cause physical damage internally. In addition, when ingested they can cause a false sense of loss of appetite.
- Accumulation of toxic plastics in the stomachs of various invertebrate marine animals leads to starvation and death, accumulation of toxic plastics also affects growth and reproduction.
Measures to reduce microplastics
- Reducing, reusing and recycling plastics is the most important option to end the microplastic crisis in the world.
- Microplastic pollution must be eliminated with sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.
- Public dumping and open burning of domestic waste should be banned and 100% collection and recycling of used plastic should be implemented.
- Bioplastics can be promoted as an alternative to microplastics.
- This can be done by investing in the industry and government support which will reduce the cost of production and increase its attractiveness to various industries.
- Awareness campaigns should be conducted among the public about microplastic derived products, harmful effects and ways to reduce its use, on the lines of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).
- Cooperative and collaborative partnerships should be developed among all stakeholders (community, industry, government and civil society organizations).