Up to 3 billion microplastics flow into Bay of Bengal everyday
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
Up to 3 billion microplastics flow into Bay of Bengal everyday

Environment

TBS Report
23 January, 2021, 08:40 am
Last modified: 23 January, 2021, 09:54 am

Related News

  • Bangladesh, Indian navies begin patrol exercises in Bay of Bengal
  • Vessel carrying 1,600 tonnes of wheat sinks at Bay of Bengal
  • Barishal city turning plastic waste into resources
  • Odisha sounds cyclone alert, asks district authorities to be prepared
  • Pushing sharks to extinction only for a few bucks

Up to 3 billion microplastics flow into Bay of Bengal everyday

More than 90% of the microplastics found were fibres and, among them, rayon (54%) and acrylic (24%) – both of which are commonly used in clothing

TBS Report
23 January, 2021, 08:40 am
Last modified: 23 January, 2021, 09:54 am
Photo: Microplastics
Photo: Microplastics

The Ganges River could be responsible for up to 3 billion microplastic particles entering the Bay of Bengal every day, according to new research.

The study represents the first investigation of microplastic abundance, characteristics and seasonal variation along the river and was conducted using samples collected by an international team of scientists as part of the National Geographic Society's Sea to Source: Ganges expedition, Mirage News reported.

Combining predicted microplastic concentration at the mouth of the river (Bhola, Bangladesh) with the discharge of the river, scientists' estimate that between 1 billion and 3 billion microplastics might be being released from the Ganges Brahmaputra Meghna River Basin every day.

Over two expeditions in 2019, 120 samples (60 each in pre- and post-monsoon conditions) were gathered at 10 sites by pumping river water through a mesh filter to capture any particles. The sample sites were selected to ensure a mixture of rural, urban, agricultural, tourism and religious locations, with the highest concentrations found closer to the river's mouth at Bhola, in Bangladesh.

The samples were collected during pre-monsoon (May to June 2019) and post-monsoon (October to December 2019), at sites ranging from Harsil closest to the source of the Ganges to Bhola in southern Bangladesh where it meets the Bay of Bengal.

The samples were then analysed in laboratories at the University of Plymouth with microplastics found in 43 (71.6%) of the samples taken pre-monsoon, and 37 (61.6%) post-monsoon.

Pre-monsoon samples collected there had four times as many particles as those taken at Harsil, while post-monsoon samples had double the amount.

More than 90% of the microplastics found were fibres and, among them, rayon (54%) and acrylic (24%) – both of which are commonly used in clothing – were the most abundant.

The research, published in Environmental Pollution, was led by researchers from the University of Plymouth's International Marine Litter Research Unit, working with colleagues from the Wildlife Institute of India, University of Dhaka, WildTeam, University of Exeter, National Geographic Society and the Zoological Society of London.

Research Fellow and the lead author of the study Dr Imogen Napper, who was among the participants in the Sea to Source: Ganges expedition, said: "Globally, it has been estimated that 60 billion pieces of plastic are discharged into the ocean from rivers worldwide each day. By working with local communities and partners, this expedition always aimed to help us stem the flow of plastic entering the Ganges. These results provide the first step in understanding how it, as well as other major rivers, may contribute to oceanic microplastic."

Professor Richard Thompson OBE, Head of the International Marine Litter Research Unit at the University and one of the study's co-authors, said: "We know that rivers are a substantial source of microplastics in the ocean. But the information like this can help identify the key sources and pathways of microplastic and hence inform management interventions. With this type of evidence, we can progress toward using plastics more responsibly so as to get the many benefits they can bring without unnecessary contamination of the environment."

The Ganges River rises in the Himalayas and runs through India and Bangladesh, where it joins the Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers shortly before reaching the Indian Ocean. The combined flows of the three rivers are the largest in South Asia and form the most populous basin in the world, with over 655 million inhabitants relying on the water it provides.

Top News

Plastic pollution / plastic polluter / plastic dumping / plastic / water pollution / River Pollution / Bay of Bengal / Ganges / Ganges Basin / Ganges delta / Brahmaputra river / Meghna / Meghna River

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infographic: TBS
    On China lockdown, Cox’s Bazar rail project set to miss 2023 deadline
  • Deployed police officers gather at the Red Zone for security measures, ahead of the planned protest march towards Islamabad by ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan, in Islamabad, Pakistan May 25, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro REFILE - QUALITY REPEAT
    Pak police fire teargas, baton-charge supporters of ousted PM Imran Khan
  • Imran Khan says 'no blockade can stop' Azadi March as govt cracks down on PTI workers
    Imran Khan says 'no blockade can stop' Azadi March as govt cracks down on PTI workers

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational Image. Photo: Collected
    Rain drenches Dhaka, showers likely in parts of country
  • Environment protection laws are not enforced properly: Experts
    Environment protection laws are not enforced properly: Experts
  • Once a raging river and source of livelihood for hundreds of people in the Noagaon city, the River Tulshiganga is dead at present. The photo was taken from Adam Durgapur village recently. Photo: TBS
    Tulsiganga: The demise of a river
  • President Hamid urges global efforts to combat climate change
    President Hamid urges global efforts to combat climate change
  • FILE PHOTO: A bleaching coral is seen in the place where abandoned fishing nets covered it in a reef at the protected area of Ko Losin, Thailand
    Oceans are hotter, higher and more acidic, climate report warns
  • Smoke rises from the Duvha coal-based power station owned by state power utility Eskom, in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, 18 February, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings
    Pollution killing 9 million people a year, Africa hardest hit: Study

Related News

  • Bangladesh, Indian navies begin patrol exercises in Bay of Bengal
  • Vessel carrying 1,600 tonnes of wheat sinks at Bay of Bengal
  • Barishal city turning plastic waste into resources
  • Odisha sounds cyclone alert, asks district authorities to be prepared
  • Pushing sharks to extinction only for a few bucks

Features

Psycure has received various awards for their extraordinary contributions to promoting Sustainable Development Goals. Photo: Courtesy

Psycure: Meet the organisation serving the underserved university students (and beyond) with mental healthcare 

5h | Panorama
Underlying problems such as school dropouts need to be addressed first before taking a legal route to stop child labour. Photo: Reuters

‘Child labour in a country like Bangladesh is primarily a development issue, not so much of enforcement’

6h | Panorama
The balcony railings of the Boro Sardar Bari in Sonargaon. Made of cast iron, these railings feature vertical posts with intricate designs on top. Photo: Noor-A-Alam

The evolution of railing and grille designs

1d | Habitat
A Russian army service member fires a howitzer during drills at the Kuzminsky range in the southern Rostov region, Russia January 26, 2022. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov/File Photo

3 months of Ukraine war : Miscalculations, resistance and redirected focus

1d | Analysis

More Videos from TBS

Soaring commodity prices put pressure on budget

Soaring commodity prices put pressure on budget

1h | Videos
The alarming effects of the global food crisis

The alarming effects of the global food crisis

4h | Videos
Mangoes from Satkhira going to Iraq

Mangoes from Satkhira going to Iraq

5h | Videos
The dream of building home on moon

The dream of building home on moon

6h | Videos

Most Read

1
Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
Bangladesh

Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge

2
A packet of US five-dollar bills is inspected at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
Banking

Dollar hits Tk100 mark in open market

3
Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi
Bangladesh

Bangladesh at risk of losing ownership of Banglar Samriddhi

4
BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies
Stocks

BSEC launches probe against Abul Khayer Hero and allies

5
The reception is a volumetric box-shaped room that has two glass walls on both the front and back ends and the other two walls are adorned with interior plants, wood and aluminium screens. Photo: Noor-A-Alam
Habitat

The United House: Living and working inside nature

6
Illustration: TBS
Banking

Let taka slide

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab