Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Kanwar Lake, Begusarai, Bihar: Spatial and Seasonal Distribution in Water, Sediment and Indigenous Fish

Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Kanwar Lake, Begusarai, Bihar: Spatial and Seasonal Distribution in Water, Sediment and Indigenous Fish Rafat Jahan* Dr. Farida Bano** Microplastic pollution is an emerging concern in freshwater wetlands because plastic particles can accumulate in water and sediment and may be ingested by aquatic organisms. This study assessed microplastic abundance in water and sediment at two contrasting locations in Kanwar Lake, Begusarai, Bihar: an urban/municipal drainage-influenced site (S1) and a comparatively less-disturbed protected sanctuary reference site (S2). Observations covered the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Microplastic abundance was consistently higher at S1 than at S2. Water concentrations ranged from 394.0 to 512.4 particles/m³ at S1 and from 64.2 to 86.5 particles/m³ at S2. Sediment abundance ranged from 48.60 to 64.20 particles/2 g dry sediment at S1, compared with 15.40 to 19.80 particles/2 g at S2. The findings demonstrate a marked spatial difference in microplastic abundance between the two locations. Gastrointestinal microplastic burden and biochemical measurements in Heteropneustes fossilis also differed between sites, with higher reported particle burdens and altered oxidative-stress-related measurements at S1. These biochemical differences indicate site-associated variation but do not establish microplastics as the sole cause. The findings highlight the importance of controlling plastic waste entering through drainage pathways and maintaining seasonal monitoring of water, sediment and fish to support the conservation of Kanwar Lake. *(Research Scholar), Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara **Professor, (Supervisor and Guide), Head of Department (Zoology) ,Veer Kunwar Singh University, Ara.