3 days Ago By Rakesh Kumar
Microplastics in the form of fibres and fragments have been identified in the gills of freshwater muscles (kai) collected from Rewa, Navua, Ba, Waibula and Sigatoka rivers. A study conducted by University of the South Pacific School of Marine studies in 2022 revealed that 100 per cent of the kai samples collected and analysed detected microplastics in their gills. According to the survey report, one-way ANOVA test of microplastics was performed for the kai samples from the different rivers, to determine any significant differences.
“Kai samples analysed showed widespread microplastic contamination,” the report said. “Results from this study demonstrated that the total microplastic concentration in kai from the Waibula River was significantly lower than those from Rewa, Navua and Ba rivers, but there was no significant difference with that from Sigatoka River. “A possible reason could be the size of the river.
Waibula River is much smaller than the other rivers, with the exception of the larger Sigatoka River, which did not show a significant difference from Waibula River. “Large rivers tend to transport more suspended particles (including microplastics) along their water column.”.
