Microplastics in surface water of different beaches in Chattogram coastal area of Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic systems poses a great threat, as these tiny particles contaminate water, harm marine life, and may eventually enter the food chain, endangering ecosystems and human health. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of MPs in surface-level water samples taken from Chattogram Coastal Area of the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh. A total of 20 water samples were collected from four sea beaches, spanning the period from September to December 2023. A total of 452 MPs were enumerated from the collected water samples, with 29% observed in Kattoli Beach, 26% in Patenga Beach, 24% in Anowara Beach, and 21% in Banshkhali Beach. MPs ranging from 1-5mm in size were identified as the most prevalent in the study areas. Anowara Beach exhibited a dominant composition of fibers (53%), Banshkhali Beach was characterized by particles (55%), and Patenga Beach and Kattoli Beach displayed a high abundance of fragments (65% and 56%, respectively). The abundance of MPs at Kattoli Beach was significantly high (p<0.05) compared to other beaches. The pollution load index ranged from 1.25-1.49 with the highest index values at Kattoli Beach. The results from this study could be applied as a guide to efficient environmental management for the long-term health of the beaches by reducing the degree of MP load from the coastal and marine ecosystems of Bangladesh.