Microplastic Pollution:

Microplastics are now a serious environmental and health threat. A recent (Ministry of Earth Sciences) MoES–NCCR survey found alarming levels along India’s east and west coasts, highlighting the urgent need to embed microplastic control within India’s environmental governance framework.

Key Findings from NCCR Survey (2022–2025):

1. Major microplastic sources identified:
   1. Riverine inputs (plastic waste transported by rivers)
   2. Abandoned, Lost, and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), a persistent marine debris source globally
2. The presence of primary (e.g., microbeads in cosmetics) and secondary microplastics (from the breakdown of plastic waste) was confirmed.

Microplastics: Nature

• Definition: Plastic particles ranging between 1 micrometre (µm) and 5 millimetres (mm).
• Types:
  • Primary Microplastics: Manufactured in small sizes (e.g., microbeads in personal care products).
  • Secondary Microplastics: Result from degradation of larger plastic items due to sunlight, wave action and other environmental factors.

Environmental Impact of Microplastics:

Impact on Marine Environments:

1. Ingestion by Marine Life: Marine organisms, including fish, seabirds, ingest microplastics and can cause physical harm including gut blockages and tissue damage.
2. Bioaccumulation in Marine Food Webs: Bioaccumulation can lead to higher concentrations of toxins such as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in top predators, potentially impacting their health and reproductive success.
3. Habitat Disruption: Microplastics can accumulate in marine sediments and affect the structure and function of marine ecosystems.
4. Chemical Leaching: Microplastics can leach harmful chemicals into the surrounding seawater. These chemicals include Bisphenol A (BPA), which is known to cause reproductive defects in some fish species, along with phthalates and brominated flame retardants, all of which can interfere with the endocrine system.

Impact on Ecological Systems:

1. Soil Contamination: Microplastics can negatively impact soil structure, microbial activity, and nutrient cycling, affecting plant growth and overall ecosystem health. They can act as carriers for toxins like heavy metals (e.g., Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd)).
2. Disruption of Food Webs: Microplastics can accumulate in the bodies of various organisms, potentially disrupting food chains and affecting higher trophic levels.
3. Impact on Soil Biota: Exposure to microplastics can negatively impact soil-dwelling organisms like earthworms and microorganisms, affecting their growth and reproduction. Leaching of plastic additives such as phthalates can disrupt cell membrane function in microbes.
4. Plant Toxicity: Microplastics can be absorbed by plants, potentially affecting their growth and development, and introducing toxins into the food chain.

India’s Initiatives on Microplastic Management

1. Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (Amended 2021–22): Ban on single-use plastics and Emphasis on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for collection and recycling.
2. Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0: Includes solid waste segregation, treatment, and scientific disposal.
3. Ecosensitive Coastal Zone Regulation (CRZ): CRZ rules govern development along coastlines and indirectly reduce marine plastic input.
4. FSSAI Project: Ongoing study to develop standard detection protocols for microplastics in food products.

International Conventions and Agreements

• MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Annex V prohibits the discharge of plastics and synthetic fishing gear into the sea.
• Basel Convention (1989, amended in 2019) regulates transboundary movement of plastic waste. India ratified the amendments concerning plastic waste in 2020.
• The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted a historic resolution to negotiate a legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution by 2024 (still ongoing).
• Sustainable Development Goal 14 talks about Preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities.
• Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML): A UN Environment initiative, India is a participating country.

Way Forward

1. National Microplastic Monitoring Programme: Expand surveys to include rivers, lakes, groundwater, and terrestrial ecosystems.
2. Ban on Microbeads: A clear legislative ban on the use of microbeads in personal care products (done in countries like the UK and USA).
3. Fishing Gear Recovery Programmes: Introduce buy-back schemes or incentives for collection of damaged fishing gear.
4. Invest in R&D: Support startups and research institutes working on biodegradable alternatives and plastic detection methods.
5. Public Awareness and Behavioural Change: Use platforms like Eco Clubs, MyGov, Swachh Bharat campaigns for mass education.

The presence of microplastics disrupts ecosystems by affecting organisms’ behavior and physiology, impacting soil fertility, and altering aquatic food webs. Addressing microplastic pollution requires a multi-faceted approach, including reducing plastic consumption, improving waste management, and developing innovative solutions like biodegradable alternatives and advanced filtration systems.

Practice UPSC Mains Questions:

1. What are microplastics and how do they impact human health and the environment? Evaluate India’s current policy response to the problem and suggest a comprehensive mitigation strategy.
2. Critically discuss the effectiveness of current national and global efforts to combat microplastic pollution, including initiatives like the Single-Use Plastic ban and the ongoing discussions around a legally binding international plastics treaty.

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