Ahmedabad2 hours agoAuthor: Mrinal Bhojak
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Research data has revealed that microplastic pollution is increasing along the coast of Dwarka and Somnath, the most famous pilgrimage sites of Gujarat. A recent survey conducted at 20 sandy beaches in the state revealed that Sutrapada site-1 is the most affected by microplastic pollution. Apart from Mandvi in Kutch, Asharmata in Kodinar, Dhamlej and Blue Flag Beach Shivrajpur are also among the 8 beaches affected by microplastic pollution.
Porbandar’s coastline is the least polluted. Noting that microplastic pollution has become a serious problem for marine life, Dr. Hemchandracharya, Professor, Department of Life Sciences, North Gujarat University. The research was conducted by PhD student Vasantakumar Rabari, Assistant Professor Harish Patel and PhD student Krupal Patel of Department of Zoology, Maharaja Sayajirao University under the guidance of Jignesh Trivedi.
The research report has been published in the prestigious journal Marine Pollution Bulletin. In this research, 20 different sandy beaches of Gujarat state were selected according to the amount of man-made activity. Tourism and fishing are considered to be the most important factors affecting the coasts with microplastics. Microplastics found on beaches consisted of 89.98 percent plastic threads, 4.75 percent films, 3.36 percent fragments, and 1.89 percent foam. In which 47.5 percent polypropylene, 26 percent polyethylene and 25 percent polystyrene have been recorded.