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Mangrove ecosystems are among the world's most resilient, and their various functions are widely understood and well-documented. However, mangroves have been declining over time as a result of anthropogenic pressures, and microplastic contamination is one of the biggest threats to this ecosystem. There are not many reports on the extent, prevalence, and properties of microplastics. The precise consequences of microplastics on mangroves, the biodiversity they support, and the important ecological services they provide are little understood. The current study is the first ever to examine the prevalence and properties of microplastics in the mangrove environment in Goa, India. In surface water the abundance of microplastics ranged from 0.051 to 0.183 MPs/m3 with an average of 0.12 ± 0.09 MPs/ m3. In column water the abundance of microplastics ranged from 135 to 188 MPs/L with an average value of 161.5 ± 37.48 MPs/L. For sediment, microplastics ranged between 3000 to 9900 MPs/Kg d.w. with a mean of 6400.5 ± 4800.79 MPs/Kg d.w. . In aerosol samples, particles were found to be within the range of 0.0016 to 0.0176 with an average value of 0.0052 ± 0.007. The shapes that were observed in the majority were fibres. The predominant colours of the discovered microplastics were black and blue. Different sizes were discovered within different environmental matrices.The two most common polymers were polypropylene and polyethylene, which were followed by polyacrylamide and polyvinylpyrrolidone. The primary sources of the microplastics in the mangrove ecosystem were degradation of fishing nets, everyday plastic items, packaging materials, abrasion of tyres, effluent from textile industries, and sewage discharge. These findings can serve as a starting point for further evaluation of the effects of microplastics in mangroves, particularly on all ecological functions. This is a very powerful baseline for authorities and policymakers to take into consideration and come up with better source specific mitigation measures.
