Journal of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination

Spatial Variation of Microplastic Concentrations in Surface Water Bodies of Tehsil Pattoki

Hamza Khalil

Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

Keywords: microplastics, spatial variation, surface water, Tehsil Pattoki, freshwater pollution, canal water, standing water, Punjab

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Abstract

Microplastics are persistent environmental contaminants increasingly detected in freshwater ecosystems. Their concentrations can vary considerably among locations because of differences in water movement, surrounding land use, waste disposal, and proximity to human activities. This study examined the spatial variation of suspected microplastic concentrations in selected water bodies of Tehsil Pattoki, Punjab, Pakistan, using data generated in the author’s undergraduate thesis. Twelve one-litre water samples were collected from filtration plants, drinking-water supplies, groundwater, a swimming pool, null water, running canal water, standing surface water, swamp water, and tap water. Samples were processed through stacked sieves, drying, density separation with 5M sodium chloride solution, filtration, and stereomicroscopic examination at 40× magnification. Suspected microplastics were detected in four samples at concentrations of 6, 10, 12, and 15 particles per litre, whereas eight samples contained no visually identifiable particles. Standing swamp water at Chak 34 Mundaiki contained the highest concentration, followed by standing surface water at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, running canal water at Kashif Chowk, and swimming-pool groundwater near National Highway 5. The total particle count was 43, with an overall mean of 3.583 particles per litre and a standard deviation of 5.407. Microfibres, microbeads, and microfragments were the main morphological forms observed. The spatial pattern indicated greater contamination in exposed surface and recreational waters than in filtration-plant, tap-water, and several groundwater samples. The findings provide baseline evidence of heterogeneous microplastic distribution in Pattoki but require confirmation through expanded seasonal sampling and polymer-specific spectroscopy.

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