Baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and seafood from the Escravos Estuary, Nigeria
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive global contaminants with significant ecological and public health implications. This study establishes baseline data on MPs in water, sediment, fish, crab, and periwinkle from Okerenkoko and Kurutie along the Escravos Estuary in the Niger Delta. Samples were analyze...
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific African |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625000614 |
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| author | Amarachi P. Onyena Mary E. Tekeme Jessica C. Uwakwe Deborah Aderibigbe Kabari Sam |
| author_facet | Amarachi P. Onyena Mary E. Tekeme Jessica C. Uwakwe Deborah Aderibigbe Kabari Sam |
| author_sort | Amarachi P. Onyena |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive global contaminants with significant ecological and public health implications. This study establishes baseline data on MPs in water, sediment, fish, crab, and periwinkle from Okerenkoko and Kurutie along the Escravos Estuary in the Niger Delta. Samples were analyzed using microscopic observation and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. MPs ranged from 4.2 µm to 800 µm, with 134 particles identified: 50 particles/L in water and 29 particles/kg/dw in crabs. Fibres (40 particles) and fragments (35 particles) were predominant, with Okerenkoko contributing 74 particles and Kurutie 60 particles. Fibres and filaments were prevalent in both locations, while pellets were absent in Kurutie. Notably, blue was the dominant colour, with 60 % of filaments and 70 % of fibres in Okerenkoko, and 40 % of fibres and 36.36 % of filaments in Kurutie. Water samples showed an average of 0.33 ± 0.21 particles/L for films and 3.67 ± 0.49 particles/L for fibres. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in nurdles, pellets, fibres, and filaments across samples (P > 0.05). Principal Component Analysis indicated industrial sources for certain MPs, while linear regression revealed a weak negative relationship between MPs concentrations in different matrices (adjusted R² = 0.053). FTIR analysis identified polystyrene in water, nylon in sediment and fish, PVC in Kurutie sediment, and PET in crabs, suggesting varied pollution sources. These findings highlight the urgent need for ongoing research, improved waste management, and heightened public awareness to mitigate MPs pollution and safeguard ecosystems and human health in the region. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-01a49b11fd5b44d6b8c9962ab56e63db |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2468-2276 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific African |
| spelling | doaj-art-01a49b11fd5b44d6b8c9962ab56e63db2025-08-20T02:55:57ZengElsevierScientific African2468-22762025-03-0127e0259110.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02591Baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and seafood from the Escravos Estuary, NigeriaAmarachi P. Onyena0Mary E. Tekeme1Jessica C. Uwakwe2Deborah Aderibigbe3Kabari Sam4Department of Environmental Management and Pollution, Faculty of Environmental Management, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta, NigeriaDepartment of Environmental Management and Pollution, Faculty of Environmental Management, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta, NigeriaDepartment of Environmental Management and Pollution, Faculty of Environmental Management, Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta, NigeriaDepartment of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo, NigeriaSchool of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3QL, United Kingdom; Corresponding author.Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive global contaminants with significant ecological and public health implications. This study establishes baseline data on MPs in water, sediment, fish, crab, and periwinkle from Okerenkoko and Kurutie along the Escravos Estuary in the Niger Delta. Samples were analyzed using microscopic observation and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. MPs ranged from 4.2 µm to 800 µm, with 134 particles identified: 50 particles/L in water and 29 particles/kg/dw in crabs. Fibres (40 particles) and fragments (35 particles) were predominant, with Okerenkoko contributing 74 particles and Kurutie 60 particles. Fibres and filaments were prevalent in both locations, while pellets were absent in Kurutie. Notably, blue was the dominant colour, with 60 % of filaments and 70 % of fibres in Okerenkoko, and 40 % of fibres and 36.36 % of filaments in Kurutie. Water samples showed an average of 0.33 ± 0.21 particles/L for films and 3.67 ± 0.49 particles/L for fibres. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in nurdles, pellets, fibres, and filaments across samples (P > 0.05). Principal Component Analysis indicated industrial sources for certain MPs, while linear regression revealed a weak negative relationship between MPs concentrations in different matrices (adjusted R² = 0.053). FTIR analysis identified polystyrene in water, nylon in sediment and fish, PVC in Kurutie sediment, and PET in crabs, suggesting varied pollution sources. These findings highlight the urgent need for ongoing research, improved waste management, and heightened public awareness to mitigate MPs pollution and safeguard ecosystems and human health in the region.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625000614Marine pollutionEcosystem riskLivelihoodEscravos EstuaryFood safety |
| spellingShingle | Amarachi P. Onyena Mary E. Tekeme Jessica C. Uwakwe Deborah Aderibigbe Kabari Sam Baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and seafood from the Escravos Estuary, Nigeria Scientific African Marine pollution Ecosystem risk Livelihood Escravos Estuary Food safety |
| title | Baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and seafood from the Escravos Estuary, Nigeria |
| title_full | Baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and seafood from the Escravos Estuary, Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and seafood from the Escravos Estuary, Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and seafood from the Escravos Estuary, Nigeria |
| title_short | Baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and seafood from the Escravos Estuary, Nigeria |
| title_sort | baseline characterisation of microplastics in surface water sediment and seafood from the escravos estuary nigeria |
| topic | Marine pollution Ecosystem risk Livelihood Escravos Estuary Food safety |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625000614 |
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