Microplastic pollution in beach sediments in the Dapoli coast, Maharashtra, the western peninsular region of India

In coastal ecosystems, microplastics ( <5 mm plastic particles) are a common occurrence, presenting a pressing global concern, especially on beaches where increased human activity and inadequate waste management exacerbate the issue of plastic pollution. This research investigates the abundance and characteristics of microplastics at six tourist beaches along the western coast of Dapoli, Maharashtra. The sediment samples were collected and subjected to density separation, followed by microscopic observation and shape, size, color, and polymer characterization. The results revealed that microplastic particles ranged in size from 200 to 3000 <mu>m (n=200 particles). The abundance was observed highest in Murud beach with 153 +/- 26.8 items kg(-1) dw, possibly attributed to increased tourist activity, whereas the lowest abundance of 91.1 +/- 16.8 items kg(-1) dw was observed in Kelshi beach, likely due to its lower visitor traffic and population density. The predominant shapes observed were fragments and transparent, black, and blue as the dominant colors. Additionally, most samples exhibited spectra resembling High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene, and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). This baseline study urges awareness for reducing plastic waste and protecting coastal environments from microplastic pollution. Further research is needed to identify specific sources and understand the toxic effects on marine life, contributing to our knowledge of environmental threats posed by microplastics.