Kerala coast sees 7 fold Increase in pollution in the last five years

A Seven fold increase in the concentration of micro-plastics in the coastal waters of Kerala since the devastating floods that hit the state five years ago according to a study

The study conducted by the researchers of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies and the National Institute of technology Calicut found micro-plastic pollution along the entire 300 kilometer stretch from Kollam in the Southern part of the state to Kozhikode in the North. The researchers compared the data between what is seen in the ground now with the ones prior to 2018 deluge according to media reports.

The pollution was found to be highest off Kochi, followed by Kozhikode and Kollam. Micro-plastics are plastic particles less than 5 mm size that are rapidly accumulating in the Marine environment.

They are a cause for concern because of their widespread presence in the oceans and the potential physical and toxicological risks they pose to aquatic organisms according to a researcher who was involved in the study. The study also found that the concentration of micro-plastic along the Kerala coast was highest during pre-monsoon season. . 

More plastic in the ocean means more impact on the ecosystem. Its impact can manifest in different forms. It can reduce marine productivity, impacting the fisher-folk directly, and everyone else indirectly.” The study was published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin.