Major environmental concern: CUJ researchers find microplastics in Ujh, Chenab rivers, fish tissues

*Polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon detected in samples

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 2: Microplastic pollution has emerged as a serious threat to Jammu and Kashmir's freshwater ecosystems, with researchers from the Central University of Jammu (CUJ) detecting plastic particles in the water and sediment of the Ujh River in Kathua and in fish tissues from the Chenab River in Kishtwar.

The findings assume significance as microplastics were detected not only in the aquatic environment but also in fish organs, pointing to their potential movement through the food chain.

The studies were conducted by Anshika Sharma and Priti Kumari, Post-graduate students of the Department of Environmental Sciences, CU Jammu, under the supervision of Prof Deepak Pathania and Prof Richa Kothari.

In the Ujh River, researchers detected microplastics in every water sediment and fish sample examined. Water samples were collected from 10 locations, while sediment and fish samples were analyzed from four sites.

A total of 280 microplastic particles were recovered from water samples and another 75 particles from sediment. The concentration in water ranged between 13 and 45 particles per site, with the most contaminated location found to be around 3.5 times more polluted than the least contaminated site.

Microplastics were also detected in Labeo rohita (rohu), including its liver, gills and intestine, indicating that plastic contamination has extended into aquatic organisms.

The researchers attributed variations in contamination levels across Ujh sampling sites to possible factors such as agricultural runoff, waste dumping and riverside settlements.

Despite the presence of microplastics, major water-quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen, pH, hardness, alkalinity and sulphate, remained within prescribed national limits at all sampling sites.

Most particles recovered from the Ujh were black microfibres smaller than 0.5 mm, followed by red and transparent particles. Laboratory analysis identified polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon, polymers commonly associated with packaging materials, synthetic textiles and fishing-related activities.

The researchers further observed that nylon fibres recovered from sediment appeared more weathered, while those found in water and fish tissues appeared relatively fresher. This, they said, suggested movement and transfer of plastic particles between different components of the aquatic ecosystem.

The separate Chenab River study in Kishtwar also found microplastics in fish tissues. Of the 20 particles detected, 10 were found in the gastrointestinal tract, six in the gills and four in the liver.

Fibres constituted around 95 to 99 per cent of the particles, with blue, black and transparent fibres predominating. Polyethylene and polypropylene were again identified among the major polymer types.

The researchers identified untreated sewage, municipal waste, surface runoff and wastewater as possible sources of contamination in the Chenab. Its Water Quality Index was categorized as poor, while pollution-load-index values differed among the fish organs examined, indicating varying levels of microplastic accumulation.

The detection of microplastics in fish tissues is particularly significant as aquatic organisms can act as a pathway for the movement of plastic particles and associated contaminants through food chains and food webs, potentially exposing organisms at higher trophic levels.

Prof Sanjeev Jain, Vice Chancellor, CUJ, termed the findings a serious environmental concern, particularly because of the potential movement of plastic particles through aquatic organisms and the food chain.

The researchers have called for improved wastewater treatment, effective plastic-waste management, prevention of indiscriminate dumping and regular monitoring of rivers, besides greater public awareness, to check the growing threat of microplastic pollution in J&K's freshwater ecosystems.