Microplastic (MP) contamination is an emerging threat to freshwater ecosystems and food security. The objective of this study was to provide a comprehensive baseline assessment of MP abundance, polymer composition, and tissue-specific distribution across five organs (gut, gills, liver, gonads, and muscle) of two economically vital species Labeo rohita and Pangasius pangasius, in Udupi, Karnataka, India. MPs were detected in 100% of specimens, with higher mean (± standard deviation) abundances of 58.27 ± 10.48 particles per individual (particles ind-1) in L. rohita and 42.40 ± 5.40 particles ind-1 in P. pangasius. While L. rohita showed preferential accumulation in the gills and gut, in P. pangasius, MPs were more uniformly distributed across organs. Fibers dominated the assemblage (97.68%), with polypropylene and polyester identified as the primary polymers via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) analysis. We conclude that the pervasive presence of MPs across all tissues, particularly the high accumulation in edible muscle and reproductive gonadal tissue, signals an urgent ecological risk and a direct pathway for human dietary exposure. The detection of MPs in gonadal tissues, while not yet linked to observed physiological impairment, identifies a potential reproductive risk and highlights a critical area for future histological and toxicological investigation. These findings establish a baseline for assessing the long-term health of local fisheries.

Coastal lakes in Antarctica provide exceptional archives of past climatic and environmental change. Their evolution is closely linked to variations in relative sea level (RSL) driven by deglaciation, making them ideal natural laboratories for investigating marine-lacustrine transitions and reconstructing ancient sea levels. This study presents a high-resolution reconstruction of mid- to late-Holocene paleoenvironmental changes from Heart Lake, a low-elevation coastal lake in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. Multiple proxies, including diatom assemblages, environmental magnetic parameters, geochemical indicators, and sedimentological features, were employed to decipher the regional paleoclimate and environmental history. The lake existed as a submarine basin from approximately 6.37 to 3.07 cal ka BP. Around 4.3 cal ka BP, increasing chemical weathering indices suggest a trend toward warmer conditions in the lake. The first appearance of lacustrine diatoms around 3.07 cal ka BP marks the onset of environmental transition within the basin. By ~ 1.75 cal ka BP, the lake had become an isolated freshwater system. This shift from a marine to a lacustrine environment was likely driven by a post-glacial isostatic rebound and the consequent uplift of the land surface.

Recently, Mahreen et al. (2025) have carried out a baseline survey of microplastic (MP) contamination in the Indian coastal agricultural soils. They also found MPs on all samples, as well as toxic heavy metals (Fe, Cd, As) that were attached to MP surfaces (Mahreen et al., 2025). The presence of multiple heavy metals on MPs, as indicated by the authors, was interpreted as an indication of a complex scenario of pollution whose consequences might have adverse effects on the health of the soil, crop productivity, and soil biota. This is a valuable addition to the knowledge of MP pollution in the terrestrial environment. Nevertheless, we would like to highlight an important methodological weakness that could influence the interpretation of such findings: the lack of a contextual background, contamination, and soil chemistry. In the absence of this information, one cannot tell whether the identified heavy metals on MPs identify a truly novel risk pathway or merely indicate co-existing pollution that is already in the soil environment.

Microplastics (MPs), recognised as emerging contaminants, are increasingly prevalent in riverine ecosystems due to escalating anthropogenic activities. River deltas, which typically serve as ecologically rich and pristine habitats, are now under threat from solid and liquid waste inputs, particularly in rivers flowing through urban and agricultural landscapes. This research investigates MP contamination in sediments of the Brahmani River within the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha (India), encompassing both mangrove and non-mangrove sites. The highest recorded abundance was 50.4 items/kg dry weight (dw) and 25 items/kg wet weight (ww), with fibers, fragments, and films as the dominant morphotypes. Across most sites, fibers in the 0.1–5 mm size range were predominant. Polymer identification by ATR-FTIR revealed a predominance of polyamide (PA), followed by low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP). SEM–EDS analyses revealed that MPs had surface-adsorbed heavy metals (HMs), including chromium, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, barium, and lead, which were sourced from the surrounding riverine environment. Risk assessment indices, including contamination factor (CF), polymer hazard index (PHI), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and pollution load index (PLI), indicated high ecological risk at several sites. High ecological risk indices were observed, raising serious concerns for elephants that depend on the river for drinking water. Ecological functioning in the Brahmani River in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary supports saltwater crocodiles, Olive Ridley turtles, and other native and migratory birds. Mangrove sediments were identified as significant sinks for MPs, with the potential to disrupt benthic communities and impair mangrove productivity. This research will help ecologists, policymakers, NGOs, and state and federal governments develop policies and regulations to protect the Brahmani River, which supports the ecological functions of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhitarkanika National Park.

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the spatial variability of geochemical, biological, and physical proxies in catchment soils, surface sediments, and suspended particulate matter from Lake Ramasamudra (RSL), along with the factors governing these patterns. Using a multiproxy approach, it further examines the imprints of modern vegetation and chemical weathering on the catchment and lake sediments. The results show that magnetic minerals in the lake are largely lithogenic, with ferrimagnetic minerals dominating the catchment with minor contribution from antiferromagnetic minerals. Magnetic data suggests that the catchment acts as a magnetically enriched source. Magnetic concentrations decrease from soils to sediments and suspended particulate matter (SPM), likely due to dilution by non-magnetic particles and possible post-depositional dissolution of magnetite. The distribution of organic matter is influenced by shoreline hydrodynamics and differential degradation processes. Palynological records indicate that soils predominantly preserve local vegetation signals, whereas lake sediments integrate both local and regional pollen inputs. Spatial variability in proxy responses across the RSL catchment reflects the influence of slope, vegetation cover, rainfall, lake-level fluctuations, and soil properties. The consistency between recent regional environmental conditions and the proxy records indicates that these proxies reliably capture decadal-scale environmental variability in the study area.

Microplastic (MP) contamination in terrestrial ecosystems—particularly in agricultural soils—remains an underexplored environmental concern in India, an agriculture-driven economy. This study assessed MP contamination in paddy fields across 15 sites in Udupi (Karnataka) and Goa, with soil samples collected from the surface and at three subsurface depths (10, 20, and 30 cm). MPs were extracted using density separation, identified via stereomicroscopy and ATR-FTIR, and further characterized using SEM–EDS to examine surface morphology and elemental composition. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with higher concentrations observed in Goa across most depths. In Goa, surface soils contained an average of 100.93 ± 64.19 pieces/kg, while subsurface layers at 10, 20, and 30 cm recorded 90.70 ± 40.37, 119.76 ± 169.44, and 48.34 ± 29.75 pieces/kg, respectively. In comparison, Udupi samples exhibited slightly lower concentrations, with 95.68 ± 30.69 pieces/kg at the surface, and 55.00 ± 29.33, 46.53 ± 9.04, and 16.10 ± 7.63 pieces/kg at corresponding depths. Shape analysis revealed regional differences: in Udupi, fibres dominated (86.8

The marine environment receives microplastics (MPs) from multiple pathways, including rivers, wind, and surface runoff. However, subterranean estuaries—mixing zones of terrestrial groundwater and seawater beneath the coastal seabed—have received little attention as potential conduits of MP transport. Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), a key hydrological process in coastal regions, may represent an overlooked pathway for plastics entering the ocean. In this study, we investigated MP contamination in the subterranean estuary (STE) of Malpe, southwestern India, and quantified the flux of MPs delivered to the Arabian Sea via SGD. The results revealed an average abundance of 7.56 ± 6.45 MPs L⁻¹ in subterranean estuarine waters, with seepage rate identified as the primary driver of microplastic flux. Fibres dominated the assemblage (100

This study investigates spatial variations in soil quality across five distinct land-use types—forest, roadside, agricultural, industrial, and residential—in the Manipal region of southern India. Ten surface soil samples from each land-use category were analysed for physico-chemical properties, geochemical composition, and environmental magnetic parameters to evaluate soil degradation and identify potential pollution sources. Marked variations were observed in electrical conductivity, pH, and salinity, with industrial and roadside soils exhibiting elevated values indicative of anthropogenic impact. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn, were significantly higher in roadside and industrial areas, frequently exceeding recommended safety thresholds. Environmental magnetic measurements, such as low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χlf) and frequency-dependent susceptibility (χfd

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in various systems, including lakes, rivers, ice sheets, soils, and biota, as well as in humans. They are also recognized as carriers of other dangerous contaminants, including persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. This study investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics (count, shape, size, colour, and polymer composition) present in the surface and sub-surface sediments of a tropical lake (Lake Madagadakere) in south-western India. The sub-surface sediments were dated using 137Cs and 210Pb methods. Microplastics in surface sediments range from 100 to 450 particles/kg (average: 322.22 particles/kg). A steady increase in the concentration of microplastics between 1975 and 2010 was documented (150–1475 particles/kg), with a decrease from 2010 to 2016 (440–225 particles/kg). Fibres are abundant types of microplastics in both surface and subsurface sediments. The MPs in the surface sediment samples are predominantly polypropylene (PP), whereas sub-surface samples contain high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in addition to the former. A small creek joins the lake in the north-east part, which might act as a major source for microplastic influx into the lake. Rainfall, fishing activity, and inadequate plastic disposal have collectively influenced the fluctuation in microplastic concentration in the sedimentary profile over the past 43 years. The present study provides baseline data on the spatio-temporal characteristics of microplastics in lacustrine sedimentary environments in southern India, where limited data are available. It also explores the potential usage of microplastics as a stratigraphic indicator of the ‘Anthropocene’ or ‘Plasticene’.

We determined and discussed the mineral magnetic properties of the soil samples (n = 78) from the Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica. Environmental magnetism analysis was conducted to identify the mechanisms controlling the formation and distribution of iron oxide minerals such as magnetite and hematite. Magnetic susceptibility (chi(lf)) exhibited a mean (+/- SD) value of 109.5 (+/- 76.6) x 10(-8) m(3)kg(-1), indicating the presence of magnetically strong minerals. A statistically significant correlation (r = 0.79; p < 0.01) between chi(lf) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), the S-ratio values (0.97-0.99) and temperature-dependent magnetization measurements, suggests that low-coercivity magnetic minerals, such as magnetite, primarily regulate the magnetic signal. The percentage of frequency-dependent susceptibility remains below 2 % for most samples, indicating an insignificant presence of ultrafine superparamagnetic grains. The chi(ARM)/SIRM parameter (mean (+/- SD) values of 53.7 (+/- 26.3) x 10(-5) mA(-1)) suggests a predominance of coarse-grained magnetic minerals, while magnetic hysteresis parameters indicate the dominance of multidomain magnetic grains, with minor proportions of single-domain and superparamagnetic grains. Various inter-parametric ratios reveal the absence of bacterial magnetite, anthropogenic magnetite, and authigenic greigite, suggesting that the magnetic minerals in these Antarctic soils from Schirmacher Oasis predominantly result from weathering processes.

Artificial flooding of rainwater is most common in urban areas due to various reasons, such as improper drainage systems, obstruction of natural drainage by building constructions, and encroachment of stormwater nallahs. Flash floods lead to significant losses, disrupt transportation, and cause inconvenience to the public. Udupi, characterized by its porous lateritic strata, undulating topography, and proximity to the sea, experiences artificial flooding during the peak monsoon season in its low-lying areas, primarily due to the overflow of the Indrani River, which is also a potential water resource for Udupi, Karnataka. Currently, the river faces significant challenges due to increasing anthropogenic activities. Revitalizing the Indrani River offers numerous benefits, including its potential use as a drinking water source during periods of water scarcity. This study aims to propose flood and stormwater management measures for the river catchment and to evaluate selected water quality parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity) at fifteen strategic locations along the river course. Higher conductivity observed at downstream stations is attributed to sewage discharge from urban settlements and a sewage treatment plant. The study suggests short-term measures such as targeted clean-up operations and stricter enforcement of pollution control regulations. Additionally, it recommends long-term strategies, including the development of a comprehensive river basin management plan, community engagement initiatives, and improvements to wastewater treatment infrastructure. To maintain the health of the Indrani River, this research emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and the implementation of integrated management practices.

This study investigates the occurrence and ecological risks of microplastics (MPs) and trace elements in coastal agricultural soils from Karnataka, southern India. Surface and subsurface soils from mulched (watermelon) and unmulched (rice) fields were analyzed for MP abundance, morphology, polymer composition, and trace elements. Microplastics were identified using Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and metals were quantified via Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) confirmed elemental associations on MP surfaces. Risk was assessed using the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI). Results showed higher MP concentrations in surface soils and mulched fields, with polyethylene (PE) as the dominant polymer. Most MPs were 0.1–0.3 mm (49–50

The Indian monsoon, a critical component of the global climate system, plays a vital role in shaping the environmental and socio-economic landscape of the Indian subcontinent. A decreasing trend of southwest monsoon rainfall is documented in the southern part of the Western Ghats during the 20(th) century. The current study attempts to reconstruct the short- and long-term changes in monsoon during the past 1600 years based on multi-proxy studies on lacustrine sediments from Cheppandikere Lake (CK), situated in the Western Ghats in southwestern India. Three AMS C-14 dates constrain the age of sediment core collected from the lake and span the past similar to 1600 years. The environmental magnetic (chi(ARM), chi(fd) %, chi(lf), IRM, SIRM, S-ratio, and HIRM) data indicates that the magnetic mineral concentration, magnetic grain size, and mineralogy have varied significantly during the past in response to changing rainfall conditions. The diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) denote the distinctive peaks of sediment components like hematite, goethite, clay minerals, and organic matter. The temporal variation of the different sediment components is implied by the component scores obtained by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The aquatic productivity and input of terrestrial organic matter are indicated by organic carbon, C/N, delta C-13 and delta N-15 values. The multi-proxy data suggests the presence of two distinct climatic phases in the region during the past two millennia. Phase I (similar to 300-1150 AD) is characterized by lower magnetite, higher hematite, coarser magnetic grain size, finer particle size, decreased terrestrial organic matter, a higher proportion of clay minerals, enhanced aquatic productivity, and a lower proportion (52 %) of C-3 vegetation (higher C-4; 48 %) pointing towards weak monsoonal conditions. However, higher magnetite, lower hematite, finer magnetic grain size, increased terrestrial organic matter, a higher proportion of clay minerals, reduced aquatic productivity, and a higher proportion (92 %) of C-3 vegetation (lower C-4; 8 %) indicate a stronger monsoon and increasing trend of rainfall during Phase II (similar to 1150 AD to Present). The study shows that the monsoon in the Western Ghats has strengthened overall in the region and responded to global climatic episodes like the Little Ice Age (weak), Medieval Warm Period (strong) and Dark Age Cold Period (weak). A similar pattern is also seen in other lacustrine records in the Western Ghats, albeit with differences in their short-term variability.

Groundwater is a critical resource in Udupi, Karnataka, yet its quality is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities. This study investigates seasonal variations in microplastic (MP) contamination in groundwater from landfill (LF) and non-landfill (NLF) sites within this urban region. During the wet season (September 2024), mean MP concentrations were 2.49 +/- 6.40 MPs/L at LF sites and 1.14 +/- 1.46 MPs/L at NLF sites, which declined in the dry season (February 2025) to 0.85 +/- 0.28 MPs/L and 0.22 +/- 0.04 MPs/L, respectively. Fragments dominated in the wet season, whereas fibers were more prevalent in the dry season. MPs in the 1000-3000 mu m range were most common, comprising up to 83.63% at NLF sites. Polymer identification using Raman spectroscopy and ATR-FTIR revealed polypropylene as the dominant type (77.59%-86.37%), followed by polyethylene and polyester. SEM-EDS analysis showed weathered surfaces and the presence of toxic elements such as chromium, cadmium, and arsenic, indicating environmental exposure and potential health risks. Risk assessment revealed elevated PHI and PERI values during the dry season, particularly for polyester-rich fibers, indicating higher ecological and human health hazards. Identified MP sources included water-drawing ropes, well covers, laundry activities, and improper waste disposal. Elevated MP levels during the wet season were attributed to surface runoff introducing plastics into groundwater. These findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and targeted management strategies to safeguard groundwater quality in Udupi, which is heavily relied upon by both residents and industries for their needs.

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as ubiquitous and persistent pollutants that impact all compartments of urban and mountain environments. However, studies combining abiotic and biotic components to assess MPs abundance and characterisation from remote mountain catchments of the Himalaya are still limited. This study examined abundance, types, and ecological risks of MPs in abiotic (surface water, water column, snow) and biotic (fish) components of Manasbal Lake, an ecological hotspot in the Kashmir Valley, western Himalaya. MPs were extracted using density separation and subsequently examined microscopically to determine their abundance, shape, color, and size. The concentration ranges were observed at 59–188 MPs/L in surface water, 8–15 MPs/L in water column, 11–18 MPs/L in snow, and 7–13 MPs/individual in fish samples. The MPs shape, color and polymer composition of biotic and abiotic components were dominated by fibers, transparent color and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) type, respectively. Most of the MPs observed were in the size range of 0.1–1 mm, with significant contributions from local pollution sources. We observed higher abundances of MPs away from stream inlets or residential areas, suggesting complex hydrodynamics and wind-driven surface transport in the lake. Risk assessment indices reveal that fibers exhibit the highest risk levels, posing a significant risk to the lake ecosystem. Further, a comparative analysis with other regional western Himalayan Lakes highlights the dominance of fiber MPs, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary research efforts to address the growing concern for MPs contamination. This study underlines the necessity for integrated catchment-scale land-use planning while advancing our understanding of MPs pollution dynamics in lake ecosystems of the western Himalaya.

The newly identified diatom species, Climaconeis heteropolaris sp. nov., stands out due to its distinctive heteropolar valve shape. The valve structure is lanceolate-clavate with rounded capitate apices. The middle of the valve is slightly wider but gradually tapers towards the ends. Its size ranges from 76.5 to 120.5 mu m in length and 9.5-14.5 mu m in width. The striae radiate outward near the centre, align parallelly in the middle section and converge near the tips, with 17-22 per 10 mu m. A rectangular stauros intersects the valve, flanked by short striae. The areolae vary in shape, ranging from round to more elongated forms. A narrow, linear axial area runs through the valve, bordered by longitudinal ribs that meet linear helictoglossae near the ends. The raphe is straight and forms a 'tuning fork' shape at the centre. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a generally flat valve with a slightly curved mantle. The striae near the raphe have a parallel orientation but radiate outward as they extend from the centre. The shapes of the areolae also vary depending on their position on the valve. Internally, the raphe is flanked by longitudinal ribs, while a raised stauros occupies the central area. At the raphe's tips, a 'porte-crayon'-like feature marks the distal terminations. When compared to other members of the Climaconeis genus, C. heteropolaris is distinguished by its unique valve shape and stria patterns. This feature differentiates it from relatives like C. colemaniae, C. undulata, C. stromatolitis, C. mabikii, C. scalaris and C. scopulorioides. Differences in valve shape and stria arrangement confirm its placement within Climaconeis while also hinting at possible affinities with Stauroneis and Frustulia.

This study investigates microplastic (MP) contamination in Deveximentum insidiator (pony fish or silverbellies), a commercially important species in the Indo-West Pacific, with samples collected from a Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) in the Southeastern Arabian Sea on February 20, 2024. A total of 51 fish specimens and corresponding water column samples were analyzed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of MPs. The results revealed an average of 28.21 ± 17.73 MPs per individual and 2.97 ± 3.02 MPs per litre of water. Organ-specific accumulation showed the highest MP load in the gut (31.8 %), followed by the muscle (25.71 %), gills (23.83 %), and gonads (18.62 %). In fish, fibres dominated (99.32 %), while fragments (52.10 %) were most abundant in water. MPs in fish were predominantly 11-100 μm in size, indicating bioaccumulation potential, whereas larger MPs (1000-3000 μm) were more common in water (37.81 %). Polypropylene was the major polymer detected in both fish and water samples. Potential human health risks were assessed through estimates of MP intake via fish consumption. Adults may ingest approximately 20.57 MPs/day (7505 MPs/year), and children 9.80 MPs/day (3577 MPs/year). Risk assessment indices indicated low ecological risk (PLI: fish = 2.41, water = 1.55-2.27), but moderate toxicity risk based on the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI: fish = 9.68; water = 10.89). This study provides the first documented evidence of MP presence in D. insidiator in this region, highlighting the species' exposure to MPs and the associated potential health risks for seafood consumers. These findings underscore the need for species-specific assessments to inform marine conservation strategies food safety management in Potential Fishing Zones.

In this study, we aim to reconstruct southern India's intrinsic environmental changes over the past 1500 years from 3330 to 1830 cal BP by investigating the sedimentation and weathering dynamics in Lake Shantisagara, one of Karnataka's largest lakes. Four distinct climatic phases were delineated based on sedimentological, geochemical, and End Member Modelling Analysis (EMMA) results. Phase 1 (3330-3100 cal BP) is a short-term low rainfall zone characterized by a calm hydrodynamic environment and weak chemical weathering. Phase 2 (3100-2800 cal BP) is a climatically unstable phase, fluctuating between low and high rainfall conditions. Phase 3 (2800-2200 cal BP) is characterized by a stable, low rainfall climate with weak fluvial activity and chemical weathering. It is followed by a highly unstable phase marked by frequent extreme climatic events (Phase 4; 2200-1830 cal BP). Our study reveals a highly unstable hydrodynamic condition that culminated in potentially catastrophic high rainfall events that triggered intense and frequent floods in southern India around similar to 2208, 2054, 1958, and 1891 cal BP. Comparative studies of regional records show that the regional climate pattern is similar. There is a strong effect of Total Solar Irradiance (TSI), Sea Surface Temperature (SST) off the Malabar coast, location of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and the El Ni & ntilde;o Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the monsoon system in southern India. This suggests that there is a global teleconnection.

The present study describes the seasonal distribution of microplastics (MPs) and their associated biofilms in the water column of the Netravathi-Gurupura estuary, southwest India. An average abundance of 8.15 (±3.81) particles/l and 1.14 (±0.78) particles/l was observed during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Fibres, films, and fragments accounted for majority of the microplastics. Polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester, polystyrene, and high-density polyethylene were the major polymers. The risk assessment revealed a low Pollution Load Index, but the Polymer Hazard Index showed higher toxicity. Diatoms from nine genera were observed attached to the microplastic samples with Amphora and Navicula spp. reported in both estuaries during both seasons. The considerable diversity of diatoms, along with other microbial groups, in microplastic-associated biofilms in this study, highlights the urgent need to understand the structure and development of microplastic-associated biofilms and their role in the vertical and horizontal transport of microplastics in tropical estuaries.

Microplastics are minute plastic particles ranging from 1 µm to 5 mm in size. Mangroves are crucial ecosystems with roles in carbon sequestration, shoreline protection, and habitat for diverse species. Despite their significance, the extent of microplastic pollution in mangroves, especially in India, remains inadequately understood. To address this gap, we conducted a seasonal sampling in the Kota mangrove ecosystem at different water column depths. Our analysis revealed average microplastic abundances of 0.93 (monsoon), 3.71 (post-monsoon), and 2.92 MPs/L (pre-monsoon). The average microplastic abundances were 19.88 and 15.86 microplastics/individual for Gerres filamentosus and Sillago sihama, respectively. Fibrous microplastics smaller than 1 mm were dominant. Transparent microplastics dominated the water column (28.57