Comparative assessment of microplastics in Pulicat Lagoon and adjacent coastal waters: an integrated multi-metric ecological risk evaluation
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) have emerged as one of the most persistent contaminants in aquatic habitats, infiltrating even the most ecologically sensitive systems, such as lagoons and coastal waters, where ongoing anthropogenic inputs exacerbate their accumulation and biological impact. Pulicat Lake, India's second-largest brackish water lagoon, is especially vulnerable to MP loading from tidal exchange, household waste, and fishing activities. This study examined the physicochemical properties, seasonal abundance, and ecological danger of MP at three typical stations: Goonankuppam (Station I), Thonirevu (Station II), and Pulicat Beach (Station III) from 2024 to 2025. MP abundance ranged from 50 to 135 particles L–1, peaking in Thonirevu during post-monsoon. This pattern was driven by accelerated monsoon runoff and water resuspension in the aftermath of cyclone Fengal (25 November 2024). Fibres (50.9% at Station I, 40.6% at Station II, and 51.1% at Station III) were the dominating morphotype, followed by fragments (22.60% at Station I, 27.40% at Station II, and 24.20% at Station III). The size fraction of 100–500 µm (56% at Station I, 49% at Station II, and 47% at Station III) was consistent across all locations, indicating advanced secondary fragmentation. Blue particles (40% at Station I, 30% at Station II, and 45% at Station III) predominated, highlighting the important role of fishing gear and maritime activities. This establishes a strong baseline for targeted mitigation in this ecologically sensitive lagoon-coastal interface.
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