Microplastics

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Microplastics can be found even in the most isolated locations. Where did these teeny-tiny plastic
particles come from?

Experiments have noted that answering this question requires thorough analysis. Plastic can be found in
every terrain, and a large portion of it ends up in the ocean. The majority of plastics in the sea disintegrate
into extremely minute particles called Microplastics which are tiny plastic pieces. Microplastics are less
than five millimetres in length and affect our oceans and aquatic life. Other polymers are made to be tiny
on purpose. Microbeads are tiny plastic beads that are found in a variety of health and aesthetic products.
They make their way into the ocean, untouched, across waterways. Microplastics can be mistaken for
food by aquatic life and birds.

Microplastic Invasion

Giant plastic wastes break down into smaller and smaller fragments to form Microplastics which are
everywhere. These microscopic particles easily bypass water filtering systems and end up in the ocean
and other water bodies, posing a risk to aquatic life and those who depend on these water resources.

Covid 19 and Microplastics

During the pandemic, the increased use of single-use face masks and PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment) kits has resulted in a surge in microplastic pollution. These are usually discarded into the
seas, rivers, streets, landfills, and other environmental parts. Microplastics absorb other pollutants in the
water bodies resulting in forming a toxic film lethal to aquatic life. Microplastics in fish and crustaceans
have been proven long ago, and humans are exposed to the threat via diet.

Microplastic pollution in Kerala beaches

Kerala’s coasts are one among the most polluted in the nation. The amount of plastic waste dumped into
the seas is increased multifold compared to earlier times. The lack of proper systems for collection,
segregation, and recycling of waste is the major challenge faced by society. Ineptness in implementing
sustainable tourism is another contributing factor. We Grow Forest Foundation initiated a beach cleanup
drive at Veli Tourist Village

Can water treatment stop the microplastic invasion?

Microplastic invasion causes severe damage to the ecosystem, and it is necessary to find an adequate
solution. The relevant question is, can water treatment stop microplastics from entering our water
supplies?
Although water treatment can help remove particles, there is no data on microplastics. The following data
gaps linked to water treatment must be addressed.
● More research is required to fully comprehend the fate of microplastics in various wastewater and
drinking-water treatment procedures.
● It is necessary to better understand particle composition before and after water treatment and
distribution systems.
● Once standard procedures for nano plastics are available, more knowledge is needed to
understand the presence and removal of nano plastic particles in water and wastewater treatment
systems.
● A deeper understanding of the correlations between turbidity(the amount of cloudiness in the
water) and microplastic concentrations is required throughout the treatment process.
● More research is required to fully understand the relevance of microplastics returning to the
environment through sludge and other treatment waste streams.