Distribution and characterization of microplastic from reef associated surface sediments of Vembar group of Islands, Gulf of Mannar, India

Abstract

The reef sediment samples were collected to study the distribution of plastics in the Vembar group (Upputhanni, Nallathanni, and Puluvinichalli Islands - Eight samples from each island). The maximum number of plastics was found at Upputhanni Island (a total of 154 particles). Upputhanni Island occupied nearly 43.5% of the total plastic count, followed by Nallathanni Island (31.8%) and Puluvinichalli Island (24.6%). The Puluvinichalli Islands had the highest percentage of white plastics (26.3%), followed by Upputhanni (23.8%), and Nallathanni (14.2%). Plastics with irregular and fiber-like shapes predominated in the reef sediments. The polypropylene found in the reef sediments of the islands that make up the Vembar group was the most abundant sort of plastic, followed by polyethylene (19.6 %), polystyrene (5.7%), and nylon (32.3%). The outcome of this study suggests that the reef environment was less contaminated by plastics and was at low risk.