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<p>Microplastic (MP) pollution is a significant global concern due to its persistence and potential risks to ecological systems and human health. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of MP contamination in the Mula River and its infiltration into borewell water, providing valuable insights into surface and groundwater interactions. Our analysis revealed Polyester and PVC, indicating that industrial effluents are primary contributors. Microplastics were detected in borewell water samples, with spatial variability in abundance and composition. Polymer composition analysis indicates significant industrial influences, with higher polyester (29.7%) and PVC (24.5%) concentrations in high-EC zones ((7000–11000 particles/m<sup>3</sup>) and polyethylene (38.1%) and polypropylene (34.6%) present in low-EC Zone (2000 to 4000 particles/m<sup>3</sup>), further borewell water indicate predominance of polyester and polypropylene. PCA analysis showed a strong polyolefin gradient along PC1 (32.5%) and a polyester/aromatic polymer gradient along PC2 (25.1%), clearly separating high-load industrially influenced sites from low-load mixed zones. Cluster analysis identified distinct polyolefin-dominated sites (ML-8, ML-4) and high-intensity hotspots (ML-6, ML-11) enriched in PP, PS, and polyester, confirming multiple contamination pathways. Borewell water further reflected this influence, showing a predominance of polyester and polypropylene, suggesting a possible linkage between surface water contamination and groundwater systems. This study provides preliminary evidence of microplastics in borewell water in the study area, raising concerns about potential implications for drinking water quality and environmental health. While the findings highlight a possible but underexplored pathway of contamination along Mula river, highlighting undocumented pathway of contamination with significant implications for public health and groundwater safety.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>Schematic representation of Microplastic contamination in various environments</p> <p></p>

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Invisible Pollutants: A Study of Microplastic Occurrence, Polymer Characterisation and Spatial Distribution Along the Mula River, Pune, Maharashtra

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月23日

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  • Prachi Jadhav,
  • Gunjan Suruse,
  • Ashwini Supekar,
  • Dhananjay Meshram,
  • Satish Sangode,
  • Vivek Bhore,
  • Mahesh Mopkar,
  • Shubham Waghmare

摘要

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a significant global concern due to its persistence and potential risks to ecological systems and human health. This study offers a comprehensive assessment of MP contamination in the Mula River and its infiltration into borewell water, providing valuable insights into surface and groundwater interactions. Our analysis revealed Polyester and PVC, indicating that industrial effluents are primary contributors. Microplastics were detected in borewell water samples, with spatial variability in abundance and composition. Polymer composition analysis indicates significant industrial influences, with higher polyester (29.7%) and PVC (24.5%) concentrations in high-EC zones ((7000–11000 particles/m3) and polyethylene (38.1%) and polypropylene (34.6%) present in low-EC Zone (2000 to 4000 particles/m3), further borewell water indicate predominance of polyester and polypropylene. PCA analysis showed a strong polyolefin gradient along PC1 (32.5%) and a polyester/aromatic polymer gradient along PC2 (25.1%), clearly separating high-load industrially influenced sites from low-load mixed zones. Cluster analysis identified distinct polyolefin-dominated sites (ML-8, ML-4) and high-intensity hotspots (ML-6, ML-11) enriched in PP, PS, and polyester, confirming multiple contamination pathways. Borewell water further reflected this influence, showing a predominance of polyester and polypropylene, suggesting a possible linkage between surface water contamination and groundwater systems. This study provides preliminary evidence of microplastics in borewell water in the study area, raising concerns about potential implications for drinking water quality and environmental health. While the findings highlight a possible but underexplored pathway of contamination along Mula river, highlighting undocumented pathway of contamination with significant implications for public health and groundwater safety.

Graphical Abstract

Schematic representation of Microplastic contamination in various environments