Microplastic Contamination in Goan Fisheries: A Threat to Marine and Human Health
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Pollution - Microplastics; Marine Ecosystems; Ecological concepts - Bioaccumulation, Biomagnification); Science & Technology (Key Institutions - CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & Biodiversity): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Biodiversity and its conservation. Plastic pollution, especially in the marine environment, is a major and frequently discussed topic.
Key Highlights from the News
A new study found large quantities of microplastics in commercial fish species along the Goan coast.
Scientists from CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa conducted this study. 🐟
Key Findings:
Higher contamination is found in fish living in the benthic realm (seabed).
Small fish consume plastic, and larger fish consume them, leading to plastic moving up the food chain. This is called bioaccumulation or biomagnification.
In fish, this causes reproductive problems, stunted growth, and nutritional deficiencies.
The study warns that humans consuming these fish are at risk of serious health problems like cancer and brain diseases.
The main sources of these microplastics are degraded fishing material, wastewater, clothing fibers, and tire particles.
This finding highlights the major threat our marine ecosystem and food security face.
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