Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42225721›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Assessing the geospatial distribution and association of microplastics with water quality in the lakes of Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Nivetha Paranthaman, Biswajita Mohanty, M Annie Jenifer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Nivetha ParanthamanSchool of Bioscience and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Biswajita MohantySchool of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
M Annie JeniferSchool of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. anniejenifer@vit.ac.in.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants which of global concern impacting water quality of an aquatic ecosystem. However, the investigation on the MPs is uncommon as compared to the water quality parameter analysis particularly in South India. This study analysed the MPs abundance, their polymer characterisation and physicochemical parameters of water quality in five lakes fed by the River Palar in South India. Water samples were collected from the lakes to analyse 14 physico-chemical parameters to determine the Water Quality Index (WQI)MPs were extracted from the water samples using density separation, and their polymer characterisation was performed using light microscopy, SEM & FTIR spectroscopy. The concentration of MP ranged from 89 to 637 mg/L across the five lakes with the highest concentration from Lake Saduperi showing (673 mg/L). Nine major Polymer types were identified, which includes Polyamide (Nylon), Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). SEM micrographs revealed irregular, surface-cracked microplastic structures with co-contaminants. Geospatial analysis of water quality parameters indicated sharp regional variations in water quality, showing higher contamination around urban settlements, solid waste disposal sites, and from agricultural runoff zones. The estimation of Pearson correlation revealed a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.9) between the concentration of MP and Phosphate (r = 0.98, FDR-adjusted p = 0.0496)-which clearly indicates a direct effect of MP on water. An overall WQI comparison of the five lakes highlighted that the water quality was poor and unsuitable for drinking in all lakes except one i.e., Lake Sathyamangalam. This study provides novel insights on the MP- Phosphate co-occurrence in the study area. A targeted monitoring of phosphate-MP and polymer-specific source tracking is recommended to prevent contamination in the freshwater systems. This study also supports regional water management, and aids urban planners in environmental management and policy modifications.

Indexed as

Freshwater contaminationMicroplasticsPhosphateSpatial distributionWater quality index

Identifiers

PMID42225721
PMCPMC13463062

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