Bhubaneswar, May 8: One of India’s most pristine wildlife habitats is now showing signs of an invisible threat. A new scientific study has found microplastics across all sampled sites in Odisha Bhitarkanika mangrove ecosystem raising concerns about long term ecological damage in the protected sanctuary.
The research published in Water, Air, & Soil Pollution detected microplastics at all 20 locations tested along the Brahmani river, both inside and around the sanctuary. Concentrations reached as high as 50.4 particles per kilogram of dry sediment, with fibres accounting for nearly 89 per cent of the total.
Hidden crisis in a thriving ecosystem
Bhitarkanika India’s second largest mangrove forest is known for its rich biodiversity, including saltwater crocodiles, migratory birds, and nesting Olive Ridley turtles. Despite its protected status scientists say the ecosystem is quietly accumulating plastic pollution carried by river systems.
Researchers found that mangrove roots which act as natural barriers against storms and erosion are also trapping microplastics. While this helps prevent plastics from spreading further into the ocean, it turns the mangroves into long-term pollution sinks.
“The same roots that protect coastlines are now holding on to plastic particles,” said one of the researchers noting that the ecosystem’s natural filtering ability comes with unintended consequences.
What the study found
The analysis revealed that most of the particles were synthetic fibres likely originating from textiles and fishing gear. Among the materials identified, polyamide was the most dominant, followed by polyethylene and polypropylene common plastics used in clothing, packaging, and consumer goods.
While overall plastic quantities were lower than those recorded in major urban coastal regions like Mumbai and Chennai scientists warned that the ecological risk remains high due to the type of plastics present.
Experts pointed out that polyamide carries a higher hazard index making even smaller concentrations potentially more harmful.
Toxic particles entering the food chain
Beyond their physical presence microplastics were found to carry toxic heavy metals such as chromium, copper, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. These metals attach to plastic surfaces as they move through polluted water.
This combination turns microplastics into carriers of toxins. When small marine organisms ingest them, the pollutants enter the food chain, eventually reaching fish and, potentially, humans.
Scientists warn that this process could have long-term consequences for both biodiversity and food safety in the region.
Pollution beyond sanctuary boundaries
The findings highlight a critical limitation of protected areas they cannot shield ecosystems from pollution originating elsewhere. The Brahmani river flows through industrial zones, agricultural land, and urban settlements before reaching Bhitarkanika, carrying contaminants along the way.
Researchers stressed that conservation efforts cannot be limited to the sanctuary alone. Instead, they must address pollution sources across the entire river basin.
“A protected area is not a sealed system,” one expert noted. “What flows in from upstream determines its future.”
Warning and an opportunity
Despite the concerning findings, scientists say Bhitarkanika is not yet severely polluted, offering a crucial window for preventive action. Early intervention could help preserve the ecosystem before damage becomes irreversible.
Policy recommendations include improving wastewater treatment, regulating industrial discharge, managing plastic waste more effectively, and introducing filters to capture synthetic fibres at their source. Regular monitoring and basin-wide coordination between agencies have also been emphasised.
Time to act before it’s too late
The study underscores a growing global reality even the most remote and protected ecosystems are no longer untouched by human activity. For Bhitarkanika, the challenge now is not just conservation, but prevention. Experts say the cost of protecting a still-functioning ecosystem is far lower than restoring one that has already been degraded.
As microplastics quietly accumulate beneath its mangrove canopy, the sanctuary stands at a crossroads still resilient but increasingly vulnerable to a threat that cannot be seen with the naked eye.