Microplastics and mesoplastics have become integral components of marine debris and the broader global plastic pollution crisis. Their increasing prev…

Plastic pollution has long been visible in the mangrove ecosystem of the Sundarbans in the form of waste such as bottles, food wrappers, and discarded fishing lines and other gear. What has remained largely underexplored is the journey of microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) and mesoplastics (5-25 mm in size) within and across these habitats. A study published last year in the journal Environmental Research reports the presence of microplastics in the scats of the jungle cat (Felis chaus) and fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) raising concerns about plastic movement across ecosystems and trophic levels. Researchers report the presence of microplastics and mesoplastics in the scat of these small felids from the Indian Sundarbans and adjoining coastal landscapes. The study emerged from years of work on plastics in the region’s mangrove-estuarine systems. “We had already identified microplastics in soil, water and estuarine fish, and that led us to investigate microplastic contamination in the higher carnivores of this ecosystem,” says Shrayan Bhattacharjee, lead author of the study and a doctoral fellow at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College, Rahara, West Bengal. The jungle cat and fishing cat are mesocarnivores (medium-sized carnivores) that primarily feed on fish, crabs, rodents, amphibians, birds, and...

A new study from the University of Portsmouth has highlighted the growing role of citizen science in tackling one of the planet's most pervasive pollution problems: microplastics and mesoplastics.…

A new study from the University of Portsmouth has highlighted the growing role of citizen science in tackling one of the planet's most pervasive pollution problems: microplastics and mesoplastics. Whi...

Rivers are the primary pathways of microplastics and mesoplastics (MMPs) input into the ocean. Most studies have examined MMP concentration in rivers during low-flows, overlooking high-flow or floodin...

A new study suggests citizen science holds untapped potential in measuring microplastic pollution, but chaotic research methods may be clouding the global picture The study from the University of Portsmouth has highlighted the growing role of citizen science in tackling one of the planet’s most pervasive pollution problems: microplastics and mesoplastics. While researchers often warn that a lack of standardised protocols risks muddying the waters, this research shows that public involvement could be key to plugging the data gaps and that comparability rather than conformity is key.

Rivers don’t drip plastic into the ocean at a steady pace. They dump it in bursts. A new study suggests that when floods hit, the amount of micro- and mesoplastics in river water can jump dramatically. This means we may be undercounting how much plastic reaches the sea if we only measure rivers on calm days. By sampling river water during real flood events, researchers found that most plastic transport can be packed into surprisingly short windows, when water levels are high and fast. The missing piece in plastic tracking Most river plastic studies focus on “normal” flow, because it’s easier and safer to sample. But floods are when rivers behave like conveyor belts. Just as muddy water carries huge amounts of suspended sediment during storms, plastic fragments are likely swept along too. The problem is that until now, very few studies have captured what’s happening in the middle of a flood, especially in rivers running through a mix of cities, farms, and forests. That matters because the plastic we see floating in the ocean often began as larger trash on land. Over time it breaks into smaller pieces: microplastics (under 5 mm) and mesoplastics (5–25 mm). These particles travel...

A new study from the University of Portsmouth has highlighted the growing role of citizen science in tackling one of the planet's most pervasive pollution problems: microplastics and mesoplastics. Whi...

A new study suggests citizen science holds untapped potential in measuring microplastic pollution, but chaotic research methods may be clouding the global picture The study from the University of Portsmouth has highlighted the growing role of citizen science in tackling one of the planet’s most pervasive pollution problems: microplastics and mesoplastics. While researchers often warn that a lack of standardised protocols risks muddying the waters, this research shows that public involvement could be key to plugging the data gaps and that comparability rather than conformity is key.

Recent research reveals the significant increase in plastic concentrations in rivers during heavy rains, highlighting the need for improved monitoring.

A new study from the University of Portsmouth has highlighted the growing role of citizen science in tackling one of the planet's most pervasive pollution problems: microplastics and mesoplastics. Whi...

Extreme storms, such as tropical cyclones, are responsibl...

Rivers are the primary pathways of microplastics and mesoplastics (MMPs) input into the ocean. Most studies have examined MMP concentration in rivers during low-flows, overlooking high-flow or floodin...