Scientists raise concern over marine pollution by plastics

Panaji, Feb 25: The problem of marine pollution by plastics can be resolved through a combination of actions like enforcement of rules, stressing on recycling and finding an alternative to plastics, say experts.

"Resolving the plastic debris problem is important. Solutions to the plastic debris can only be achieved through combination of actions," according to a study by scientists from Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).

"Such actions include enforcement of legislation against marine pollution by plastics, accentuate recycling, find alternate to the current plastic products and clean-up the existing debris," says a paper presented by NIO scientists during the 5th International Conference on Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sciences held in Kochi last week.

"If marine plastic pollution problem is to be eventually resolved, the government cannot accomplish this task on their own and will need help and initiative from public," the researchers have said. "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle can help to cut down on the amount of plastic waste we throw away," they opined.

The NIO scientists have embarked upon a research related to pollution from micro-plastics, claiming it to be the first such study in the country.

The team comprising scientists like Mahua Saha, S Veerasingham, V Suneel, B G Naik, P Vethamony and Badal Bhattacharya have been sampling the micro-plastics collected from across Goa's coast on different occasions.

"At global scale, high concentrations of micro plastics have been found at five oceanic gyres, but in the coastal environment of India the distribution and fate of micro plastic pollution has not been studied so far," the research paper mentions. MORE PTI CORR GK ANP SRE