Context

• Recently a new study has highlighted the extent of microplastic pollution in Ashtamudi Lake, a Ramsar wetland in Kollam district.

Key Points

• The study found microplastics in fish, shellfish, sediment and water of the saltwater lake. 
• The highest percentage composition of microplastics was found in macrofauna, with fish accounting for 19.6% and shellfish 40.9%.
• The study was conducted by the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala with the support of the EcoMarine project co-funded by the European Union's Erasmus programme.
• These findings have been published at a time of growing concerns over microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems around the world.

What are Microplastics?

• These are pieces of plastic less than five millimeters in length. 
• Fibers constituted 35.6% of the microplastics found in the collected samples.
•   Fragments (33.3%) and Phyme (28%) were far behind on the list. 
• "Notably, most of the particles were in the small size range, which is harmful to aquatic organisms," the study said.
• Hazardous Heavy Metals Detailed analysis of the samples revealed the presence of plastic polymers as well as hazardous heavy metals. 
• The polymer composition of microplastics found in the stomachs of fish and shellfish includes nylon, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polysiloxane.
• Hazardous heavy metals such as molybdenum, iron and barium, which are potentially absorbed from the environment, were found in microplastics, posing potential risks to aquatic organisms and humans.
• It is noteworthy that the Ashtamudi wetland was designated a Ramsar site in 2002 in view of the exceptional importance of its hydrological functions, its biodiversity etc.

Conclusion

• The University of Kerala has called for immediate action considering the possibility of plastic pollution increasing in the future. 
• The study states that strategies and action plans need to be developed to gradually reduce the entry of microplastics into estuarine systems.

Efforts made to stop marine pollution at global level

• Clean Sea Campaign
• Basel Convention
• Honolulu strategy
• Ocean Cleanup Project in the Pacific Ocean 
• Collaboration to stop plastic pollution (Alliance to end Plastic Waste)
• The Blue Flag program was started by the Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environment Education (FEE).

Important Facts For Exam

• There are total 11 major lakes in Kerala whose names are-
• Periyar Lake, 
• Vembanad Lake, 
• Ashtamudi Lake, 
• Paravur Lake, 
• Punnamada Lake, 
• Akkulam Lake, 
• Mananchira Lake, 
• Veeranpuzha Lake, 
• Vellayani Lake, 
• Sasthamkotta Lake, 
• Pookody Lake
• Vembanad Lake is known by three names:
• Punnamada Lake in Kuttanad.
• Kochi Lake in Kochi.
• Vembanad Lake in Kottayam