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Determination of microplastics and physicochemical parameters in Nwaorie River, Owerri Municipal, Imo State
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles—along with high levels of bacteria and pollution markers linked to sewage and waste runoff—throughout a river in Nigeria that communities rely on for water. This matters because if people drink or use this contaminated water, they could be exposed to both harmful bacteria and microplastics, which are increasingly linked to health concerns as they make their way through the food and water chain. The study is a reminder that better waste management and water treatment are needed to keep our water supplies safe.
Microplastic pollution has emerged as a major environmental concern due to its persistence, ecological toxicity, and potential risks to aquatic organisms and human health. This study investigated the occurrence of microplastics and evaluated the physicochemical properties of water samples obtained from Nwaorie River, Owerri Municipal, Imo State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from upstream, midstream, and downstream regions of the river using standard environmental sampling procedures. Physicochemical parameters including pH, conductivity, turbidity, temperature, hardness, alkalinity, acidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate, phosphate, chloride, sulphate, and total coliform count were determined using standard analytical methods. Microplastic particles were identified using light microscopy and categorized into microfragments, microfibres, and microbeads. The results showed conductivity (144.01 ± 2.16 µs/cm), hardness (148.36 ± 0.23 mg/L), acidity (43.55 ± 0.64 mg/L), BOD (123.4 ± 1.56 mg/L), COD (123.43 ± 1.59 mg/L), phosphate (8.72 ± 0.42 mg/L), and total coliform count ((1.43 ± 0.04) × 10² cfu/mL), all of which exceeded WHO/EU permissible limits. Conversely, turbidity, temperature, nitrate, chloride, sulphate, and total suspended solids remained within acceptable regulatory standards. Microplastic particles including microfragments, microfibres, and microbeads were detected across upstream, midstream, and downstream regions of the river, indicating widespread plastic contamination within the aquatic ecosystem. The occurrence of microplastics and elevated pollution indicators suggests significant anthropogenic influence arising from sewage discharge, urban runoff, domestic activities, and indiscriminate disposal of plastic wastes around the river environment. The findings from this study highlight the growing environmental burden of microplastic pollution and deteriorating water quality within Nwaorie River, emphasizing the need for improved waste management practices, environmental monitoring, and pollution control measures to protect freshwater ecosystems and public health.
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Microplastics and Microbial Contamination in Warri River Surface Waters, Delta State, Nigeria
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Scientists tested the water in Nigeria's Warri River and found it contaminated with both tiny plastic particles (microplastics) and harmful bacteria. This matters because people who drink, fish, or bathe in this water could be exposed to both pollutants at once, and swallowing microplastics is an emerging health concern that scientists are still working to fully understand. The findings highlight the need for better water treatment and pollution control in the region to protect public health.
Microplastics and Microbial Contamination in Warri River Surface Waters, Delta State, Nigeria
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Scientists testing Nigeria's Warri River found tiny plastic fragments (some as small as a grain of sand) at every location tested, along with harmful chemicals called phthalates that leach from plastics and disease-causing germs like E. coli and Staph bacteria. This matters because communities relying on this river for water and fishing could be exposed to both plastic pollution and dangerous microbes at the same time, highlighting the urgent need for better waste management and water treatment in the region.
Seasonal Abundance and Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in Water and Sediments of Tropical Urban–Agricultural River System; A Case of Ngerengere River, Tanzania
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Researchers found microplastics — tiny plastic fragments too small to easily see — in both the water and riverbed sediment of Tanzania's Ngerengere River, which flows through farms and urban areas before supplying water to nearby communities. This matters because rivers like this one are often used for drinking water, irrigating crops, and fishing, meaning these plastic particles could make their way into the food and water people consume every day. The study highlights that plastic pollution is a growing problem even in developing countries with limited water monitoring, underscoring the need for better waste management to protect both ecosystems and human health.
Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Surface Water and Sediments of Otammiri River, Imo State, Nigeria
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Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in the surface water and sediments of Otammiri River, characterizing the abundance, morphology, polymer types, and spatial distribution of microplastics to evaluate contamination levels and ecological risks in this Nigerian freshwater system.
Microplastic particles in river sediments and water of southwestern Nigeria: insights on the occurrence, seasonal distribution, composition, and source apportionment
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in river water and sediments across southwestern Nigeria, providing some of the first baseline data for the region. They found microplastics at every sampling site, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms, and concentrations varying by season and location. The study points to urban runoff, agricultural activities, and inadequate waste management as the primary sources of this pollution.
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