Lucknow: A new study by researchers at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) has revealed that the fish living in Gomti and Ganga rivers are consuming tiny plastic particles, raising concern about plastic pollution and its possible impact on aquatic life and the food chain.The research, titled ‘Microplastic Contamination in Aquatic Biota: a Comparative Study of Fish Species from the Ganga and Gomti Rivers’, has been published in the international journal ‘Water, Air, & Soil Pollution’.The study was conducted by researchers from BBAU and other institutions, with Prof Narendra Kumar of BBAU’s department of environmental science among the authors and corresponding researchers.The researchers examined fish collected from Gomti in Lucknow and Ganga in Kanpur. They studied the gut and gills of different fish species to find out how much microplastic they had absorbed.Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, generally smaller than 5 mm, which are formed when larger plastic waste breaks down or enters the environment directly.The study found that plastic fibres were the most common type of microplastic in fish. Blue-coloured particles were found most frequently. The researchers also detected commonly used plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene and PET, which are widely used in packaging, bottles, clothing and household products.“Our findings show that plastic pollution is not limited to what we can see floating in rivers. Tiny plastic particles are entering fish and the aquatic food chain, making better waste management and public awareness extremely important,” BBAU Prof Narendra Kumar at the department of environmental science said.He said the study found more microplastic particles in the gut than in the gills, suggesting that fish mainly take in these particles while feeding or swallowing polluted water. Some particles were also found to carry metals on their surfaces, adding to concerns about their possible movement through the food chain.Researchers said the findings underline the urgent need for stricter control over plastic disposal, improved waste management and greater public awareness to protect rivers and aquatic life.
