Ecological footprint of microplastics in coastal and estuarine environments of India: Sediment-water interface analysis.

Understanding the distribution and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in varied aquatic ecosystems is essential for assessing their environmental impact. This study investigates microplastic pollution across 16 coastal and estuarine sites along the Indian coastline, spanning distinct marine regimes including the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Mannar, aiming to compare site-specific contamination and assess the potential of plastic debris to act as vectors for associated heavy metals. MP abundance in surface water and sediment ranged from 1.