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Microplastic pollution in Himalayan lakes: assessment, risks, and sustainable remediation strategies

Summary

Plastic particles called microplastics are increasingly polluting Himalayan lakes through tourism, waste, and glacier melting, harming fish and water quality. Scientists are testing various cleanup methods including physical filters, chemical treatments, and microbe-based solutions. Tiny engineered materials under UV light show promise for breaking down plastics in cold mountain environments. Better policies, monitoring, and community action are needed to protect these important freshwater sources.

Background

Microplastic contamination is an emerging environmental problem in ecologically sensitive Himalayan lakes, threatening biodiversity, water quality, and human communities. These high-altitude freshwater ecosystems are increasingly polluted through human activities, tourism, glacier melt, and atmospheric deposition. The harsh climatic conditions and logistical challenges limit microplastic quantification in these isolated regions.

Objective

This systematic review consolidates existing literature on freshwater microplastic pollution in Himalayan high-altitude lakes and evaluates sources, pathways, and ecological impacts. It examines existing remediation technologies and emerging sustainable approaches, including biofilm-mediated degradation and nanotechnology-based solutions. The review aims to identify research gaps and propose region-specific mitigation strategies for cold-climate freshwater ecosystems.

Results

Documented microplastic concentrations in Himalayan lakes range from 8,600-238,000 particles/m³ in surface water and 15-10,600 items/kg in sediments. Dominant polymers include PE, PS, and PP, primarily as fibers and fragments. Physical, chemical, and biological remediation methods show variable efficiencies, with electrochemical methods achieving 82-100% removal and photocatalytic nanomaterials demonstrating >80% degradation under UV conditions.

Conclusion

Himalayan lakes require multidisciplinary, region-specific remediation approaches combining physical, chemical, and biological technologies. Biofilm-mediated degradation and nanotechnology-based solutions show promise in cold environments with high UV irradiation. Enhanced governance, monitoring, legislation, and community-based mitigation measures are imperative to address microplastic pollution in these vulnerable freshwater ecosystems.
  • Published in:Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology,
  • Study Type:Systematic Review,
  • Source: 10.3762/bjnano.16.148, PMID: 41333134, PMCID: PMC12667730
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