Publications by authors named "Binish M B"
The fabric of the Antarctic lacustrine system has a crucial role in assimilating the anthropogenic inputs and mitigating their long time impacts on climate change. Here, we present the changes in the concentrations of major ions and trace metals in the surface water of the lacustrine system to understand the extent of anthropogenic impacts from the adjacent Schirmacher Hills, East Antarctica. The results show that the land-locked lakes (closed-basin lakes surrounded by topographical barriers such as mountains or bedrock formations) in the region have a moderate enrichment in elemental concentrations compared to the pro-glacial lakes (marginal freshwater bodies that form at the terminus of a glacier or ice sheet).
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- The degradation of larger plastic debris into microplastics (MPs), which are less than 5 mm in size, has been driven by natural factors like wind, waves, UV exposure, and biological action, leading to their wide presence in marine environments, including the Arctic Ocean.
- Research on MPs has focused more on water columns and marine life rather than sediment, making studies on sedimentary MPs in Arctic regions, particularly Kongsfjorden, less common.
- In Kongsfjorden, sediment analysis showed MPs present at three sampling sites, with a maximum of 24 MPs/kg, predominantly consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), indicating a need for further study to determine their sources and environmental impacts.
Mercury and its speciation in aquatic ecosystems have been assessed globally. Even though previous studies were limited to Arctic freshwater lakes, they are highly significant in the context of the changing climate. The present study is based on sediment samples collected from three Arctic freshwater lakes over a period of 4 years (2015-2018).
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