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  <Article>
    <Journal>
      <PublisherName>ijesm</PublisherName>
      <JournalTitle>International Journal of Engineering, Science and</JournalTitle>
      <PISSN>I</PISSN>
      <EISSN>S</EISSN>
      <Volume-Issue>volume 15,issue 3</Volume-Issue>
      <PartNumber/>
      <IssueTopic>Multidisciplinary</IssueTopic>
      <IssueLanguage>English</IssueLanguage>
      <Season>March 2026</Season>
      <SpecialIssue>N</SpecialIssue>
      <SupplementaryIssue>N</SupplementaryIssue>
      <IssueOA>Y</IssueOA>
      <PubDate>
        <Year>2026</Year>
        <Month>03</Month>
        <Day>13</Day>
      </PubDate>
      <ArticleType>Engineering, Science and Mathematics</ArticleType>
      <ArticleTitle>A Study of Microplastic Detection in Local Water Sources in the Marathwada Region</ArticleTitle>
      <SubTitle/>
      <ArticleLanguage>English</ArticleLanguage>
      <ArticleOA>Y</ArticleOA>
      <FirstPage>20</FirstPage>
      <LastPage>28</LastPage>
      <AuthorList>
        <Author>
          <FirstName>Dr.Ballal</FirstName>
          <LastName>S.D.</LastName>
          <AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage>
          <Affiliation/>
          <CorrespondingAuthor>N</CorrespondingAuthor>
          <ORCID/>
        </Author>
      </AuthorList>
      <DOI/>
      <Abstract>Microplastic contamination has emerged as a critical environmental and public health issue worldwide, affecting freshwater, marine ecosystems, soil, and even atmospheric systems. In recent years, regions with rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management have become particularly vulnerable to plastic debris accumulation. This study investigates the presence, distribution, sources, and detection methods of microplastics in local water sources of the Marathwada region, Maharashtra, India. Representative samples were collected from rivers, lakes, groundwater, and municipal water supplies to assess contamination levels. Advanced analytical techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and membrane filtration were employed to identify polymer composition, particle morphology, and size distribution. The analysis revealed the occurrence of common polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), predominantly in fiber and fragment forms. The primary sources were identified as domestic wastewater discharge, textile washing, plastic waste mismanagement, agricultural runoff, and urban activities. The presence of microplastics in drinking and surface water raises concerns about ecological imbalance and potential human health impacts through bioaccumulation and trophic transfer. The findings emphasize the urgent need for systematic regional monitoring, strict implementation of plastic waste management policies, improved wastewater treatment technologies, and enhanced community awareness programs to mitigate the risks associated with microplastic pollution in semi-arid regions like Marathwad</Abstract>
      <AbstractLanguage>English</AbstractLanguage>
      <Keywords>Microplastics, Marathwada region, Water contamination, FTIR analysis, SEM, Polymer identification, Environmental pollution, Public health risk etc.</Keywords>
      <URLs>
        <Abstract>https://www.ijesm.co.in/ubijournal-v1copy/journals/abstract.php?article_id=16177&amp;title=A Study of Microplastic Detection in Local Water Sources in the Marathwada Region</Abstract>
      </URLs>
      <References>
        <ReferencesarticleTitle>References</ReferencesarticleTitle>
        <ReferencesfirstPage>16</ReferencesfirstPage>
        <ReferenceslastPage>19</ReferenceslastPage>
        <References/>
      </References>
    </Journal>
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