Microplastics In The Ganga River How Dangerous Is The Situation?

Microplastics are recognized as a main source of marine pollution. The plastic products and waste materials dumped in the Ganga River break down and are eventually broken down into micro particles and the river finally transports large quantities downstream into the ocean. Untreated sewage from many cities along the Ganga River’s course, industrial waste and religious offerings add pollutants into the river as it flows through numerous thickly inhabited cities. In this article, Dr Rina Mukherji talks about two recent studies that have revealed the high prevalence of microplastics in the Ganga River basin, and pointed to the risks involved to freshwater biodiversity in the region.

- Dr Rina Mukherji

Two recent studies have revealed the high prevalence of microplastics in the Ganga River basin, and pointed to the risks involved to freshwater biodiversity in the region. The first of these studies, “Quantitative Analysis of Microplastics along River Ganga” by Toxics Links, was done by examining the waters of the Ganga River off Haridwar, Kanpur and Varanasi at several points in the respective cities, and documenting the kinds of microplastics present in the waters.

The second study, “Risk Assessment of Plastic Pollution to Migratory Species in the Mekong and Ganga River Basins” done for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) examined the waters at several points of the Mekong and Ganga basins. The Toxics Links study in the waters off Haridwar, Kanpur and Varanasi, found 40 different kinds of microplastics, with the composition and prevalence in tune with prevalent industries and activities in the cities and towns concerned. The CMS/ UNEP study, on the other hand, went further in actually determining the risks to specific species on the basis of a risk matrix in the concerned river basins of the Ganga and the Mekong.

What are Microplastics?

However, to understand the significance and scope of these studies, especially focussing on the Ganga, which is known to be the second most polluted river in Asia, it is important to know the nature and menace posed by microplastics. Microplastics (MPs) are defined as small fragments of plastics, smaller than 5 mm that make their way into the aquatic and general environment. Microplastics can be either: