Abstract
Wetlands are ecologically important and productive environments which help in several global processes. Microplastic pollution is an environmental issue of great concern. The studies related to this issue have been reported chiefly on the marine environment whereas freshwater ecosystems especially wetlands are receiving less consideration. Harike wetland is a northern largest wetland of India with area at present of 86km2. It is home to several migratory birds along with being rich in fish diversity. In this study the presence and type of microplastic in surface water of Harike wetland were investigated. Two types of microplastic are found in harike wetland namely nylon (Nylon 6) and high density polyethylene with size ranging from 4mm to 60µm. Results from the FTIR, RAMAN and GC-MS confirmed the presence of microplastic in Harike wetland. Rivers Sutlej and Beas could be a source of sewage input towards Harike wetland thereby being the reason of microplastic contamination in it. This study insights better understanding of microplastic pollution in wetlands giving way towards the threat that microplastic transfer could cause through the food chain and affect other organisms.
Highlights
Wetlands are having many global processes such as carbon cycle, fisheries production, shelter for local and migratory birds and biogeochemical cycles
The polymer type was found to be nylon 6 and highdensity polyethylene (HDPE). This may reveal the various possible sources along and across the wetland resulting in microplastic pollution
The presence of microplastic is clearly indicate for the ingestion of these particles by the diverse organisms in the wetland
Summary
Wetlands are having many global processes such as carbon cycle, fisheries production, shelter for local and migratory birds and biogeochemical cycles. They are ecologically important and contribute in economy of that area. Wetland export 20% of total world’s organic carbon in nature. It contributes to biomass production where in animals small but form an important fraction of this biomass.
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