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Karnataka Lake Shows Decades of Plastic Pollution
30 Nov
Summary
- Microplastics have accumulated in a lake for nearly four decades.
- Plastic pollution levels in lake sediments date back to 1975.
- Synthetic clothing fibers are a major source of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics have steadily accumulated in Madagadakere, a freshwater lake in Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru district, over the past four decades, a new study indicates. Researchers analyzed lake sediments, preserving year-by-year pollution data since the mid-1970s. The findings, published in the Journal of Sedimentary Environments, reveal the earliest microplastic particles in layers dating back to 1975.
The study identified microplastic concentrations peaking around 2010, with a slight decrease until 2016, though significant amounts remain. These particles, found at levels of 100 to 450 per kilogram of sediment, are primarily composed of fibers from synthetic clothing and plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene. Researchers believe a nearby stream transports domestic waste, agricultural plastics, and fishing materials into the lake.
This long-term accumulation in a relatively quiet lake serves as a stark warning. If such levels are found here, larger, more populated water bodies likely harbor considerably higher pollution loads. The findings underscore the deep integration of plastics into natural ecosystems and emphasize the urgent need for improved waste management and reduced reliance on single-use plastics.
