Microplastics in Ganga more than any other major world river: Study

As per a latest study conducted by Delhi-based non-profit Toxic Link, the Ganga is heavily polluted with microplastics at Varanasi, Haridwar and Kanpur.

• Microplastics are tiny plastic particles but a major source of pollution.
• They are non-degradable plastics.
• Size: They are less than five millimeters (0.2 inches) in diameter.
• Types:
  • Ehylenevinyl: Used in food, drugs and cosmetic packaging.
  • Polyacetylene: Used as a doping agent in the electronics industry.
  • Polypropylene: Used in packaging, plastic sheets, fibre, fabrics, rope, etc.
  • PIP: Used in footwear and baby bottle nipples.
  • Polyamide (nylon): Used as a natural fibre and as metal wires in clothing and industry.

• Title of the Study: Quantitative analysis of Microplastics along River Ganga
• Research area: Varanasi, Haridwar and Kanpur.
• Among the three cities, Varanasi (Assi Ghat) showed the maximum load of microplastics, as compared to the other two cities.
  • This might be due to cumulative downstream pollution and also because of industrial and human activities.
• Kanpur’s Dohri ghat ranked topmost among all 15 sites (five each from all three cities) from where the river water sample was collected.
• Resins like EVOH, Polyacetylene, PIP, PVC and PVAL were predominantly present in all three locations.

• This research compared the microplastics concentration in Ganga water with similar studies on other rivers across the globe, like the-
  • Rhine in Europe
  • the Magothy, Rhode Patapsco in North America
  • the Maipo, Biobio, Maule and Elqui in South America
• Compared to other cities, Ganga microplastics pollution was much higher.
• This finding is worrisome as there is higher per capita consumption of plastic in the European countries, North and South America, as compared to India.

• Industrial waste and religious offering: Microplastics often entered the Ganga through industrial waste or packaging of religious offerings. 
• Population: The density of population in cities also adds to the problem because a large chunk of pollutants got directly discharged into the river by people living on the banks.
• Release of sewage waste: Sewage and / or industrial effluents are also responsible for the increased concentration.

• The results of this study are a matter of grave concern not just for academic and scientific interests but also from the public health perspective.
• The Ganga is a source of water for not just drinking and bathing purposes but also for irrigation to a large extent.
• The river is acting as a carrier of plastics and microplastics and transporting significantly large quantities into the ocean.

• Toxicity: Microplastics in river water, if ingested in humans or other organisms, can cause toxicity through various means. Not only are these microplastics toxic themselves, they also have a tendency to absorb various toxins present in water, including harmful chemicals. 
• Food chain: Microplastics can enter human bodies consumption of sea food and also through use of products that contain nanoplastics such as scrubs, lipsticks, mascara, shampoos etc.
• Oral, dermal and inhalation exposure: Other than the food chain, constant contact with day-to-day life plastic products allows oral, dermal and inhalation exposure to microplastics and additive chemicals to human body. 
• Affected marine life: Microplastics damage aquatic creatures, as well as turtles and birds.

Microplastics are evidently everywhere and it is not just affecting people’s lives but the entire ecosystem. India, despite being a major hotspot does not have proper knowledge and research on the topic. Thus, research is urgently needed in order to have an effective solution for this global issue.