Tuesday, April 15, 2025

A to Z - Day 13 - Microplastics in Bengaluru

Photo source: MIT Technology Review

Microplastics are defined as small synthetic solid particles with sizes ranging from 1 μm (one-millionth of a metre) to 5 millimetres. 

They don't dissolve in water and are of two main types, primary and secondary.

The primary ones are used in cosmetics, synthetic clothing, and industrial processes. Examples include microbeads and plastic fibres.

The secondary ones are those formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items due to exposure to sunlight, wind, water, etc. Items include plastic bags, bottles, plastic debris, etc. 

These can have harmful chemicals and are dangerous to the environment and human health.

A study on Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake in Bengaluru identified microplastics, primarily fibres, fragments, films, and foam, with an average concentration of about 10 particles per litre. (Journal of Environmental Biology)

Another study found that microplastics in the Cauvery River, particularly in the Krishna Raja Sagara reservoir, may be causing growth defects in fish. This suggests that microplastics are not only present but also potentially harmful to aquatic life. (The Times of India)

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a hydrogel to remove microplastics from water, offering a potential solution to mitigate this issue. (The Times of India)

There isn't any specific data regarding the amount of microplastics in the waste generated in Bengaluru. However, considering several anecdotal pieces of evidence, there may be a considerable amount.

The visual evidence of plastic debris is quite alarming. From landfills microplastics could leach into the surrounding soil and groundwater, eventually finding their way into lakes and other water sources.

Considering our modern lifestyle and conveniences, it might be difficult to totally eliminate substances with microplastics. But for the sake of our environment, we will have to do our best to at least reduce their use.

(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. The theme is environment)


5 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    It's a little bit genie and bottle this one. We must certainly do our best to not worsen the situation, but as more and more research shows the pervasiveness of these microplastics - and that most human bodies are now invaded - we need also to prepare for different disorders and diseases that may arise as a result. YAM xx

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  2. I recently heard of this, and it is alarming. If only we had realized the dangers of plastic back when it was touted as the solution to everything, we might have been able to mitigate some of this. But, no, of course not. No one was thinking that far ahead.

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  3. Hi Pradeep - I've known about microplastics for years ... certainly from the 90s ... it distresses me when it seems that companies are still advertising products, which must almost certainly have these plastics or similar in them. Today I've just read that bees ...
    quote from Cambridge University:
    "The metals have previously been shown to damage the health of pollinators, which ingest them in nectar as they feed, leading to reduced population sizes and death. Even low nectar metal levels can have long-term effects, by affecting bees’ learning and memory - which impacts their foraging ability."
    Interesting what we keep finding out about ... cheers Hilary

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  4. Microplastics are very dangerous because they keep up in the environment and pose risks to wildlife and human beings.

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  5. Microplastics are everywhere and often one has to wonder how the hell did they end up in some places, they are dangerous to the environment and wildlife and getting rid of them isn't easy

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