Microplastics in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – Occurrence, Characteristics, and Risk Implications
Cox’s Bazar, renowned for its long sandy beach and vibrant tourism industry, faces increasing environmental challenges due to plastic pollution. Microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm—have emerged as a significant pollutant affecting coastal sediments and groundwater. Recently Ahmed et al. 2026 reported on the prevalence and potential hazards of MPs in surface sediment and shallow groundwater samples collected from 12 sites in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, from August to October 2023. Using stereomicroscopy and FTIR, MPs were quantified, with concentrations ranging from 60 to 813.33 MPs/kg in surficial sediment and 3.34 to 36.66 MPs/L in shallow groundwater, with mean values of 294.38 ± 26.61 MPs/kg and 18.91 ± 4.75 MPs/L. This report explores the occurrence, characteristics, and potential risks associated with microplastics in this region, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices. Biodiversity Conservation and Fisheries Research Center (BCFRC) is jointly collaborated in microplastic research by principal investigator Dr. Md Muzammel Hossain (muzammel3@gmail.com) and he has welcome and best regarded for a fellowship and grant to continue microplastics research.
