SHWETA KAMAT
shweta@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Mangroves, which contribute to the rich marine eco-system of Goa, might be the next in line to get impacted due to increased deposition of microplastic in waters. The researchers at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has emphasised upon the need for a detailed study on the presence of microplastic in Mangroves, which is expected to throw light on the depth of the problem.
Earlier studies have already established presence of microplastic on the beaches of Goa, raising concerns amongst environmentalists. The newer studies will look at the rivers of Goa where Mangroves are predominant, so as to find out its impact on these eco-systems.
Mangroves are very specialised forest ecosystems of tropical and subtropical regions bordering the sheltered sea coasts and estuaries. These stabilise the shoreline and act as barriers against encroachment by the sea.
Indian mangrove vegetation represents fourth largest in the world, distributed along the coast-line and occupies eight per cent of the total world mangrove covering 6749 square kms areas.
On the Western coast, about 11, 20, 14 and 10 species of mangroves reported along the coast of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka respectively in western India. Goa state is located in Western Coast of India and mangrove vegetation in Goa occupies 500 ha of area.
The Cumbarjua canal (15 km) links the two river channels of Mandovi and Zuari, forming an estuarine complex which supports a substantial mangrove extent. It has been reported the presence of 17 mangrove species in Goa that include 14 true and 3 associated mangrove species. Goa is a small state situated along the central western coast of India. It encompasses an area of 3,702 km.
“There is no detailed study on impact of microplastic on mangrove eco system in India. The countries like Singapore, Malaysia and China have conducted the studies bringing in results that are alarming,” said Dr Mahua Saha, Senior Scientist with CSIR-NIO.Mangrove ecosystems always serve estuaries as buffers and are considered barriers to land-based inorganic and organic contaminants’ delivery to the sea, which needs particular research attention.
A study which focused on the microplastic pollution status of Singapore’s coastal mangrove ecosystems has found that its content might be as high as 62.8 items per kg dry sediment.
“The hydrodynamics of semi-enclosed seas (the usual mangrove vegetation habitat) are a dominant factor determining the content of the microplastics. However, no relevant studies were found about the abundances and characteristics of microplastics in semi-enclosed mangrove sediments or their associated flora and fauna in Indian mangrove ecosystem,” she said.
Saha said that Goa has a coastline of 101 km and that the study on microplastics will also focus on true mangroves and mangroves associates, in Goa.
The researchers feel that the studies can be done in the selected sites like Zuari, Mandovi, Chapora, Terekhol, Talpona, Galgibaga Rivers and Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary near Panjim.
