Dharamshala, Nov. 2 -- A new study has detected microplastics (MPs) in both water and sediment samples collected from the glacier-fed Uhl River in Himachal Pradesh, highlighting their widespread spread and ability to travel across the environment even in areas with little human activity. The study investigated the occurrence, abundance, and characteristics of MPs in water and sediment samples collected from the River Uhl, originating from the Thamsar Glacier in the Dhauladhar range. According to researchers, the study provided baseline evidence of microplastic pollution in the Himalayan river, highlighting the spread of plastic contamination even in relatively undisturbed mountain environments. The study, published in Discover Environment journal, has been conducted by a team of researchers from Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), Lovely Professional University (LPU) and Amity University Haryana. The researchers collected water and sediment samples from three sites (Kukkar Gundha, Zero Point and Barot) along the Uhl River, representing different levels of human influence. Collected samples were analysed using microscopy and fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The study found lower microplastic concentrations at the relatively undisturbed site, ranging from 50 to 100 particles per litre of water or per kilogram of dry sediment. Downstream sites recorded higher concentrations, ranging from 100 to 500 particles per litre of water or per kilogram of dry sediment. Researchers found that fragments were the most common form of microplastics, followed by fibres and films. Colourless particles were predominant, followed by blue, purple and yellow particles, indicating a possible link with commonly used consumer plastics. Reshma Sinha, assistant professor at CUHP's department of animal sciences, who is one of the authors of the study, said, "MPs pollution in freshwater ecosystems is a growing environmental concern, particularly in the fragile Himalayan river systems. MPs concentrations varied significantly across the sampling sites. The findings suggest that human activities may influence the distribution of microplastics."...