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Kuakata beach, known as Daughter of Sea in Bangladesh, has drawn a growing number of tourists from all over the world, leading to the higher use of single plastic products. This study was a first attempt to describe the occurrence, spatial distribution, and ecological risk of microplastics (MPs) in Kuakata beach sediments. A total of 24 surface sediment samples were collected from the intertidal zone of the beach, and MPs were extracted using the density separation method and a stereomicroscope. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used for qualitative and quantitative identification. The results revealed that the average MPs in the beach sediment were 232 ± 52 items kg–1 dry weight, which was much higher than many other sandy beaches throughout the world. Analyses of variance showed a significant (p < 0.01) difference among the mean abundance of MPs in sampling points. Fibers were dominated in every sampling point with an average of 123 ± 27 item kg–1. Most of the MPs observed were colored (60%), and the rest were transparent (40%). It was found that the size range of 1–5 mm MPs constituted over half (55%) of total MPs covering an average value of 127 ± 34 items kg–1. Three polymer types were identified in the sediment samples through FTIR analysis which followed the decreasing order of polyethylene terephthalate > polyethylene > polypropylene. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between the abundance of MPs and the finer grain size of sediment (p = 0.055; r = 0.7), indicating grain size-controlled the density of MPs. The pollution load index was assessed to estimate the ecological risk and found that the beach sediment of Kuakata belonged to the risk category I of the pollution index. This investigation provided preliminary information on MPs pollution in the marine ecosystem that the policymakers can use to take appropriate management approaches.

The world has already experienced the severe adverse effects of COVID-19 at every level. When it became understood that the COVID-19 infection is spread in the community via respiratory transmission from humans, then the widespread use of plastic-made personal protective equipments (PPEs) like face masks and hand gloves tremendously increased throughout the world. Although it has reduced the spreading of virus, however, careless disposal or mismanagement of these single use PPEs has created another major concern for the environment, as plastics are a known source of environmental contamination. On one hand, they are infected with SARS-CoV-2, while on the other, they act as a carrier or vector or pathway for other pathogens or diseases, and hence can increase the degree of continuing the pandemic. Besides, there might be a chance that plastics or microplastics may be responsible for introducing new pathogenic viruses or bacteria to humankind. As such, it is clear that more research needs to be conducted to clarify this fact, and its underlying mechanisms. In this review, we briefly explored how PPE used in the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated existing microplastic pollution, how they could act as disease routes or vectors, and how they could introduce new pathogens to the terrestrial and marine environment. Addressing these questions may create awareness of plastic use, waste management, and enact relevant policy which may protect our environment and health.