The sea, around Mumbai, is one of the most polluted ecosystems in terms of plastics. Major contributing factors for the plastics are recreational, religious and fishing activities. Plastic have wide applications in human life; used in packaging, automobiles, cosmetic products, textile and clothing industries, agriculture and fisheries sectors etc. Annual global production of plastic products has increased from 1.5 million tons in 1950s to more than 335 million tons in 2016. Indian plastic processing industry saw compounded annual growth rate of 10% between 2010 and 2015. But plastic products have become menace to marine ecosystem due to continuous rise in production with increasing human demand. It is reaching to sea in large quantity through various means; as a result, it has become a serious global concern due to its slow degradation. Plastic pollution is leading to environmental alterations; especially, aquatic ecosystems. Further, microplastics are particles with a size lower than 5 mm and the aquatic animals, particularly fish, is susceptible to ingesting microplastics due to their attractive coloration and buoyancy that resembles to their food items. The chronic biological effects have been reported in aquatic organisms as a result of accumulation of microplastics in their tissues. This issue is attracting scientific concern due to their presence in fish gut and tissues, involved in trophic transfer along with food web. Samples were collected on monthly basis from different locations of Mumbai sea, using experimental research vessel M.F.V. Narmada. In present investigation, microplastics were observed in fish stomachs of 90% fishes studied. The ingested microplastics were found to be dominantly fibers. Microplatics related studies, highlighting its implications to aquatic organisms, are available globally, but in Indian context only a few studies have been conducted so far. In order to restrict the use of plastic and to regulate the sources of plastic pollution, introduction of certain policies is essential. The sustainability of ocean resources is dependent on the scientific management of plastics that are entering in marine ecosystems.
Keywords: Microplastics; Aquatic; Pollution; Food web.