Preliminary evidence of microplastics in landfill leachate, Hyderabad, India

In recent years, Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant attention all over the world due to their propensity to pollute the environment and transfer toxins into the food chain, thereby endangering human health. Landfill leachate seems to be an obvious source of MPs and has the capacity to contaminate surface water, groundwater and soil. MP pollution in aquatic ecosystems has received significant research attention, whereas MP pollution in terrestrial ecosystems has received less focus. The main objective of this research is to presents the current level of knowledge about the origin, detection, occurrence, and effects of MPs in Indian landfill leachate. MP concentrations in landfill leachate was ranged between 9 and 21 items/L. The most common MP shape was fiber (83%), followed by fragment (11%), film (3%), and foam (2%). The MP colour found in leachate was yellow (35%), transparent (16%), purple (15%), blue (11%), pink (8%), white (6%), black (3%), green (2%), and orange (1%). From the chemical analysis the predominant polymers detected were LDPE, PP, PET, CA, and Nitrile. This study provides information on the properties and quantity of MPs in landfill leachate, launching additional investigation into the mechanisms through which MP s reach the environment.