Seasonal distribution of microplastics in surface waters of the Northern Indian Ocean

Abstract

Seven expeditions were carried out during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon in 2018–2019 for marine plastic collection in surface waters of Northern Indian Ocean. PE and PP (83 %) is the dominant type of polymer found in the surface waters. Colored particles account for 67 % of all particles, with fibre/line accounting for 86 %. The average (Mean ± SD) microplastics concentration in the Northern Indian Ocean during pre-monsoon is 15,200 ± 7999 no./km2, Monsoon is 18,223 ± 14,725 no./km2 and post monsoon is 72,381 ± 77,692 no./km2. BoB during pre-monsoon and post monsoon the microplastic concentration remains same except in the northern BoB this change is caused due to weak winds. Microplastics concentration varied both spatially, temporal and heterogeneity in nature. These differences are caused by effect of wind and seasonal reversal of currents. Microplastics collected in the anticyclonic eddy are 129,000 no./km2.