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Assessment of Microplastic Pollution, Seasonal Dynamic and Polymer Composition in Water, Sediment, and Fish from Mairuwa Reservoir, Funtua, Katsina Northwestern Nigeria
Summary
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) contaminating a Nigerian reservoir's water, mud, and fish, with pollution getting worse during the rainy season due to runoff from packaging, clothing fibers, and fishing gear. Surprisingly, drinking the water carries about 10 times more microplastic risk than eating fish from the same reservoir, highlighting that untreated drinking water may be an overlooked source of plastic exposure for communities relying on this reservoir. The findings support calls for better water filtration and plastic waste management to protect public health.
Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a critical global environmental challenge, yet empirical data from Nigerian freshwater ecosystems remain scarce. This study evaluated microplastic contamination in Mairuwa Reservoir, Katsina State, Nigeria, across six months (April–September 2025). Water, sediment, and fish samples (Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus) from nine stations were analyzed using wet peroxide oxidation, density separation, vacuum filtration, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Physicochemical analysis revealed significant seasonal variation: temperature decreased from 34.00°C to 27.70°C. Turbidity peaked at 75.56 NTU, dissolved oxygen declined from 6.44 to 3.09 mg/L, pH remained alkaline (8.00–9.71). Total MP concentrations were 307 counts/L (water), 272 counts/kg (sediment), 298 counts/fish (C. gariepinus), and 253 counts/fish (O. niloticus). FTIR identified six polymers: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA/nylon), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Distinct distribution patterns emerged: water was dominated by PET (18.57%) and PP (18.24%); sediment by PA (22.06%) and PE (21.32%); C. gariepinus by PS (19.80%) and PVC (17.11%); and O. niloticus by PET (19.37%) and PA (20.95%). Water ingestion posed the highest risk, approximately ten times higher than fish consumption. The study concludes that Mairuwa Reservoir is significantly contaminated with microplastics originating from packaging materials, textile fibers, and fishing gear, with seasonal runoff exacerbating pollution during rainy months. Urgent interventions including water filtration, improved plastic waste management, and regulatory frameworks are recommended to safeguard public health and the reservoir ecosystem.