Researchers from the Himalayan Aquatic Biodiversity Department at Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University have uncovered the presence of microplastics in the Alaknanda River, a significant water body flowing through Srinagar city in Pauri district, Uttarakhand.
The study revealed the existence of harmful polymer fragments and fine particles of nylon in the fish’s digestive systems, indicating potential risks to both the aquatic life and those who consume the contaminated fish.
Dr. Jaspal Singh Chauhan, the head of the Aquatic Biodiversity Department, expressed concern over the findings, stating that if fish in a mountain river exhibit signs of plastic contamination, the situation in the plains, where large-scale dumping of plastic and other waste into rivers occurs, could be even more precarious. The research team conducted the study over several months, collecting samples from the Alaknanda River and discovering small plastic particles and fibers within the fish.
In response to their findings, the researchers sent samples to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, and an institute in Chandigarh for further analysis, both of which confirmed the presence of microplastics. Dr. Chauhan highlighted that this research will now expand its scope to study fish in other rivers, including the Ganga.
The prevalence of microplastics in aquatic environments is a growing global concern. A study mentioned in Down to Earth revealed that 386 marine fish species have been identified as having consumed plastic debris, with 210 of these species being commercially important. Over the past decade, the proportion of fish consuming plastic particles has doubled across all species, indicating a worsening trend in plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
Studies from different periods show an increase in the percentage of fish containing plastic, underlining the urgency to address and mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on aquatic life.