Tracing microplastic pollution in Mahi River estuary, Gulf of Khambhat, Gujarat, and their influence on functional traits of macrobenthos.

Most maritime habitats contain microplastic (MPs) contamination. The quality of the benthic ecosystem's habitat is declining as MPs accumulate in marine system. The contamination of MPs must therefore be investigated.

Pre-to-post COVID-19 lockdown and their environmental impacts on Ghoghla beach and Somnath beach, India.

Environmental impact of COVID-19 imposed lockdown (2020) and the new normal condition (2021) on two different beaches of India (Ghoghla beach, Diu and Somnath beach, Veraval) were compared with the pre-lockdown era, 2013. The lockdown phase favored the natural restoration of the beaches and showed infinitesimal values of the parameters tested when compared with the pre-lockdown regime. However, the new normal situation in 2021 opened up the accessibility of these beaches to the tourists and pilgrims resulting in significant changes of water quality.