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<p>Yamuna river represents one of the highest frequencies of flooding with peak discharge reaching upto 10,000&#xa0;m<sup>3</sup>/sec in urban stretches of Delhi Metropolitan Region (DMR). This investigation assesses the levels, distribution patterns, and structural characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in sediment deposits from the floodplains of the Yamuna River in and around the DMR. The floodplains were found to be highly contaminated, with MPs concentrations ranging from 54 to 809 MPs particles per 100&#xa0;g of sediment sample. MPs were detected at all sampling sites, with fibers being the most dominant morphological form. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified key polymer types, including polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Multi-sieve fractionation was used to segregate particles into different grain sizes ranging from coarse sand to clay particles. Results indicate a correlation between sediment texture and MPs accumulation, with the highest concentrations observed in fine to medium sand fractions, while coarse sand contained lower levels. Hydrodynamic factors such as river morphology and the presence of hydraulic structures like barrages play a critical role in retention and spatial distribution of MPs. The calculated values of the Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicates severe MPs contamination as assessed with reference to previous studies. Further the site-wise correlation contributions collectively yielded a near-perfect Pearson correlation coefficient (r = 0.994) between MPs counts and PLI values, confirming the robustness of PLI as a quantitative indicator of MPs contamination severity. Based on the calculated report on plastic waste generation in the DMR, the per capita plastic waste generation in Delhi is estimated at 53.6&#xa0;g per person per day, while the city’s total plastic waste amounts to approximately 1060 tonnes per day (TPD), These values highlight the significant contribution of anthropogenic sources including residential areas, tourist sites, market and commercial hubs, public places, institutional zones, and educational establishments to MPs pollution in and around the DMR. The findings underscore a strong interrelationship between sedimentological processes, hydrodynamic conditions, and human activities in governing MPs contamination across the Yamuna River floodplains, thereby emphasizing the urgent need for integrated management strategies to mitigate MPs pollution in urban riverine systems.</p>

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Hydrodynamic and sedimentological controls on microplastic contamination in the Yamuna River floodplains, Delhi metropolitan region (DMR), India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月10日

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  • Gunjan Suruse,
  • Prachi Jadhav,
  • Dhananjay C. Meshram,
  • Ashwini Supekar,
  • Satish J. Sangode,
  • A. R. Bhagat,
  • Vivek Bhore,
  • Mahesh Mopkar

摘要

Yamuna river represents one of the highest frequencies of flooding with peak discharge reaching upto 10,000 m3/sec in urban stretches of Delhi Metropolitan Region (DMR). This investigation assesses the levels, distribution patterns, and structural characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in sediment deposits from the floodplains of the Yamuna River in and around the DMR. The floodplains were found to be highly contaminated, with MPs concentrations ranging from 54 to 809 MPs particles per 100 g of sediment sample. MPs were detected at all sampling sites, with fibers being the most dominant morphological form. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified key polymer types, including polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Multi-sieve fractionation was used to segregate particles into different grain sizes ranging from coarse sand to clay particles. Results indicate a correlation between sediment texture and MPs accumulation, with the highest concentrations observed in fine to medium sand fractions, while coarse sand contained lower levels. Hydrodynamic factors such as river morphology and the presence of hydraulic structures like barrages play a critical role in retention and spatial distribution of MPs. The calculated values of the Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicates severe MPs contamination as assessed with reference to previous studies. Further the site-wise correlation contributions collectively yielded a near-perfect Pearson correlation coefficient (r = 0.994) between MPs counts and PLI values, confirming the robustness of PLI as a quantitative indicator of MPs contamination severity. Based on the calculated report on plastic waste generation in the DMR, the per capita plastic waste generation in Delhi is estimated at 53.6 g per person per day, while the city’s total plastic waste amounts to approximately 1060 tonnes per day (TPD), These values highlight the significant contribution of anthropogenic sources including residential areas, tourist sites, market and commercial hubs, public places, institutional zones, and educational establishments to MPs pollution in and around the DMR. The findings underscore a strong interrelationship between sedimentological processes, hydrodynamic conditions, and human activities in governing MPs contamination across the Yamuna River floodplains, thereby emphasizing the urgent need for integrated management strategies to mitigate MPs pollution in urban riverine systems.