Presence & distribution of micro plastics in the sediment of the four major rivers in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in four major rivers of Bangladesh—Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, and Old Brahmaputra—using stereomicroscopy and ATR-FTIR analysis. Based on 36 water samples, the Meghna River was found to have the highest level of microplastic contamination. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic, with polypropylene identified as the dominant polymer. The study provides important baseline data on microplastic pollution in Bangladesh’s rivers and offers a foundation for future research and the development of strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of microplastic contamination.