Determination of microplastics in pond water

Abstract

Plastics in the form of the fibers, fragments or beads, smaller than 5 mm in size, are of increasing concern. These are called as the microplastics. Microplastics is considered generalized pollutant that is present in practically all environmental compartments, especially in the marine and freshwater environment. Microplastics pollution has not been studied much for Indian aquatic systems like ponds in urban areas. In this study, we present the assessment of microplastics pollution in Vadodara’s Gotri pond water. Using standard method of density separation, we have isolated and characterized microplastics in water samples collected from the pond. The study shows for the first time presence of microplastics pollution in ponds in the city, with the amount ranging from 0.010 mg to 0.039 mg per liter. The isolated microplastics were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, based on the identification of functional groups in the material.