Study finds microplastics in Delhi’s groundwater.
The study commissioned by the Delhi govt. also found microplastics in the Yamuna’s water and soil samples from its banks.
A first-of-its-kind study commissioned by the Delhi government has detected microplastics in groundwater samples across the Capital, multiple sources have confirmed to The Hindu. An interim report of the study was submitted last November to the Delhi government, which has not yet made it public.
Across Delhi, people rely on borewells to extract groundwater and use it for drinking and other purposes. The Delhi government also extracts groundwater, treats it, and supplies it to meet part of the city’s drinking water needs.
Though the main aim of the study was to ascertain microplastics in groundwater, their presence was also found in the Yamuna’s water and soil samples from its banks. This suggests that the groundwater has been polluted with microplastics due to leaching effect from the river.
A source privy to the development told The Hindu:
“Microplastics were found in groundwater samples of almost all 11 districts of Delhi. The government has not objected to the findings of the study and its next phase is under way. The final report will be submitted later this year.”
