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Catchment scale assessment of macroplastic pollution in the Odaw river, Ghana
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This study quantified macroplastic transport and density across the Odaw River catchment in Ghana, dividing it into non-urban riverine, urban riverine, and urban tidal zones. The urban riverine zone had the highest plastic transport rates, while the urban tidal zone had the highest bank and land plastic density, with water sachets and soft plastic fragments most abundant.
Catchment-scale plastic pollution assessments provide insights in its sources, sinks, and pathways. We present an approach to quantify macroplastic transport and density across the Odaw catchment, Ghana. We divided the catchment into the non-urban riverine, urban riverine, and urban tidal zones. Macroplastic transport and density on riverbanks and land were monitored at ten locations in December 2021. The urban riverine zone had the highest transport, and the urban tidal zone had the highest riverbank and land macroplastic density. Water sachets, soft fragments, and foam fragments were the most abundant items. Our approach aims to be transferable to other catchments globally.
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Exploring plastic transport dynamics in the Odaw river, Ghana
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This study monitored plastic transport in the Odaw River, Ghana during the dry season, finding that tidal dynamics were the primary driver of plastic transport near the river mouth, while rainfall and river discharge dominated upstream. Estimated daily mass transport was 140–380 kg/day, and the findings provide a baseline for understanding plastic emissions to the Gulf of Guinea.
Mismanaged plastic waste as a predictor for river plastic pollution
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This study of macroplastic pollution in the Odaw catchment, Ghana found no seasonal differences in plastic transport and only weak correlations between hydrometeorological variables (rainfall, discharge, wind speed) and plastic transport, but a strong spatial correlation between mismanaged plastic waste (MPW) and macroplastic pollution. The findings challenge the assumed dominance of hydrological drivers and highlight anthropogenic waste mismanagement as the primary predictor of river plastic pollution variability.
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Microplastics were detected in water, sediment, and two commercially important fish species from an urban river system in Ghana, with fiber being the dominant type across all matrices. The study represents one of the first assessments of freshwater microplastic contamination in West Africa and highlights urban river systems as major pathways for plastic transport.
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Effects of urbanisation and a wastewater treatment plant on microplastic densities along a subtropical river system
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Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in sediments along a subtropical river system in southern Africa and examined how urbanization and wastewater treatment affect contamination levels. They found that microplastic densities were highest near urban areas and downstream of wastewater treatment plants. The study suggests that urban development and inadequate wastewater infrastructure are key drivers of freshwater microplastic pollution in the region.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.