ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Occurrence of Coliforms in Microplastic Associated
Biofilm in Estuarine Ecosystem
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Centre for Environmental Studies, Department of Civil Engineering
Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India – 600 025
Submission date: 2022-07-21
Final revision date: 2022-09-02
Acceptance date: 2022-09-09
Online publication date: 2022-12-05
Publication date: 2023-01-12
Corresponding author
Merline Sheela Appavoo
Centre for Environmental Studies, Department of Civil Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, College of Engineering Guindy, 600025, Chennai, India
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2023;32(1):547-557
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ABSTRACT
Coliforms and microplastic pollution are major issues prevailing in the estuarine ecosystem.
At present, the Adyar river in Chennai, Tamil Nadu is under threat due to sewage disposal and
solid waste dumping. In the present investigation surface water samples were collected from five
sampling locations and analyzed for coliforms, microplastics (MPs), and the development of biofilm.
The maximum coliform population of 75±6-228±12 MPN/100mL was observed during the pre-monsoon
period. The MP content was in the range of 90-230 particles /L, 70-210 particles/L, and 90-190 particles/L
for pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, and summer seasons respectively. The development of black crystalline
colonies on Congo Red Agar (CRA) medium explained the occurrence of biofilm in the study area.
Further, biofilm formation was higher during summer when compared with that of pre-monsoon and
post-monsoon seasons. The plastic particles collected from the sampling locations were having rough
surfaces. More bacterial colonies were observed on polyethylene (PE) MPs when compared with that of
polyamide (PA) and Nylon under laboratory conditions.