Research Projects

The Indian sundarbans, a UNEsCO world heritage site, is facing a growing threat from microplastic pollution, which disrupts their unique microbial habitat. Microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining mangrove ecosystems by detoxifying pollutants, facilitating nutrient cycling, and aiding in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and human activities near the site have resulted in significant plastic waste being released into the environment. As larger plastic items degrade and fragment, they invade the microbial world, disrupting their activities. The chemical properties of microplastics may influence microbial behavior in the soil, leading to the formation of a "plastisphere," which can alter the original microbial composition and affect nutrient cycling, organic matter interactions, and soil structure. studying microbial dynamics in different redox zones of the mangrove habitat is crucial to understand the ecological implications of microplastic pollution and develop effective conservation strategies. A proposed research plan consists of three phases: assessing microplastic contamination in soil redox zones, bio-Chemo interaction studies, and a comparative bio-attenuation study.