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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)

e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 10 Issue: 05 | May 2023

p-ISSN: 2395-0072

www.irjet.net

Identification and analysis of Microplastics in Riverine Environment in Kannur, Kerala Arunima Pradeep, Binisha P 1Mtech student, Dept of Civil Engineering, KMCT College Of Engineering For Women

2Assistant Professor, Dept of Civil Engineering, KMCT College Of Engineering For Women, Kerala

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Abstract - Microplastics are fragments of plastic that are

microplastics are plastic fragments that are fewer than 5 mm (0.20 in) in length. Microplastics are small plastic particles that have become a major environmental concern in recent years.

sized less than 5 mm. This study aims at quantifying the microplastic pollution of a small section of a major river in the Kannur district. The study is done in samples collected from banks of Anjarakandy river. The study involved collecting samples from site and then analyzing it in lab. Along the banks 3 samples were collected. The processing was done according to NOAA protocol. The microplastic was analyzed using FT-IR spectroscopy.

They are found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water around the world. Microplastics can come from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic items, microbeads in personal care products, and fibers from synthetic clothing. Despite their small size, microplastics have the potential to cause significant harm to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. They enter natural environments via a number of sources, such as cosmetics, clothing, food packaging, and industrial processes, and create contamination.

Key Words: Microplastic

1.INTRODUCTION Plastic a type of synthetic polymer is a versatile and widelyused material, with applications in various fields such as kitchenware, toys, packaging, textiles, and more. But with the increase in plastic usage, the amount of plastic waste has increased exponentially, leading to a significant environmental problem.

Microplastics are a pervasive environmental pollutant that can be found in various ecosystems, including the atmosphere, fresh water, and oceans. Based on morphological analysis, MPs can be categorized into six types: fiber, sphere, foam, sheet, fragment, and film. Fiber-shaped MPs are the most commonly found type of MP in the environment. The garment industry is the primary source of microfibers in the environment, with washing processes during manufacturing being a key contributor. Foam-type plastic particles are formed through the fragmentation of different plastic-based products. Items such as foam packaging and disposable food containers can break down into smaller pieces over time, contributing to the accumulation of foam-structured MPs in the environment. Similarly, plastic synthetic bags and packing materials can contribute to the formation of film-structured MPs through fragmentation. Sphere-type particles originate from resin pellet leakage of the transportation system, abrasive blasting media, and different abrasive products. Both transparent and colored MPs are available in the environment.

One of the most critical concerns related to plastic waste is the emergence of microplastics, which are small pieces of plastic debris less than five millimetres in size. Microplastics are a result of direct use or degradation of larger plastics, and they pose a significant threat to marine ecology. Due to tidal actions, density of microplastics, wind distribution, and other atmospheric parameters, microplastics get distributed in the marine environment globally, and they can be found in marine surface waters, deep sediments, and beach sediments. Ingestion of microplastics by marine species, from zooplankton to larger animals like sharks and whales, is one of the most concerning effects of this substance. When marine, terrestrial, and freshwater species that have already consumed microplastics are preyed upon by other animals, the microplastics may move through the food web. Laboratory research suggests that the amount of microplastics in the environment and how much they resemble food both have an impact on the likelihood that they will be consumed. In addition, microplastics tend to act as adsorbents for other harmful chemicals and toxins, leading to further negative impacts on biological life.

1.2 Sources Microplastics can come from a variety of sources, both human-made and natural. Some common sources of microplastics include: 

1.1 Microplastics According to the European Chemicals Agency and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Impact Factor value: 8.226

Plastic products: Microplastics can be generated during the production, use, and disposal of plastic products, such as plastic bags, bottles, and packaging materials.

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