Post-Pandemic, Kasaragod Town's Soil Shows Significant Increase in Microplastic Contamination: Study

A recent study undertaken in collaboration by experts from the Central University of Kerala (CUK) and the Manipal Institute of Technology discovered a significant rise in the amount of microplastics in the soil in Kasaragod town following the pandemic. 

The research was carried out as part of a project approved by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment. (KSCSTE).

It is significant because microplastics emitted from goods like face masks constitute a substantial threat to the environment, despite the fact that their ecotoxicological effects remain unknown. Plastic debris can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, according to K. Sandeep, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology at CUK and one of the researchers. Microplastics are those that are less than five millimetres in length and can impact soil, water, and life.

Microplastics can affect soil qualities as well as organisms and microorganisms in the soil, in addition to entering the plant body and negatively affecting its growth. Face masks are being thrown away indiscriminately in Kasaragod. According to him, their decomposition due to sunshine and burning could release microplastic fibres into the soil. Microplastics in soil are mostly composed of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Although packing materials and fabric fibres can also contribute to the formation of microplastics, a two-fold increase in their presence in the soil during the pandemic indicates that face masks played a substantial role. Dr. Sandeep stated that soil at parks, schools, railway stations, workplaces, beaches, bus terminals, and restaurants in Kasaragod town was evaluated as part of the study from October 2019 to March 2021.

The railway station and bus terminal had the highest concentrations of microplastics. However, because to the lockdown, there was only a minor increase during the period.  Even beach regions were found to have low microplastic abundance. However, he stated that the remaining locations had a more than two-fold rise in microplastic concentration in the soil. "In 2019, we discovered an average abundance of 515 particles/kg, which increased to 960 particles/kg in 2021."

"The most abundant types documented in Kasaragod soil are flakes, fibers, and films," said Dr. Sandeep. He went on to say that although blue-colored microplastics were abundant in 2019, red microplastics were abundant in 2021. He stated that the repercussions of microplastic pollution needed to be thoroughly investigated because little was known about microplastics and their effects. Microplastics can improve soil porosity, modify aggregate structure, influence enzymatic activities, and lower microbial population when it comes to physical and chemical qualities.

The report also recommended safe disposal and management of plastic goods in the region, such as surgical face masks and PPE kits. The report was published in the April issue of the scholarly journal Marine Pollution Bulletin. Dr. Sandeep was joined in the research by Dr. Sijinkumar A.V. (CUK), Dr. Anish Warrier (Manipal Institute of Technology), and students Reethu, Aravind, Rafaz, and Biswajit.