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Seasonal variation of microplastic contamination in water and sediment of the Densu River, Ghana: Characteristics and pollution implications
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in both the water and riverbed sediment of Ghana's Densu River, a source of drinking water for nearby communities, with slightly more contamination during rainy season runoff. Most of the plastic came from everyday items like plastic bags and packaging (polyethylene and polypropylene), and much of it was smaller than a grain of sand, small enough to potentially be ingested by fish and, eventually, people who eat them or drink from contaminated water sources. While pollution levels were classified as "low risk" for now, the study is a reminder that plastic waste from cities and farms is
Contamination of freshwater ecosystems by microplastics has become a significant global issue. This study investigates the abundance, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in the surface water and sediments of the Densu River during both wet and dry seasons. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from ten (10) sites in the Densu River and processed using density separation with NaCl solution. Microplastics were identified under a Motic SMZ-71 stereomicroscope, and FTIR analysis was conducted to determine the polymer composition. Land use/land cover (LULC) analysis was conducted using the ESA WorldCover 2021 dataset, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to evaluate the relationships among catchment land-use composition, hydrological conditions, as well as microplastic abundance and characteristics. Sampling was conducted in June 2024 (wet season) and December 2024 (dry season), with a total of 120 samples collected. The surface water had a mean microplastic abundance of 1.63 ± 0.95 particles/L during the dry season and 2.57 ± 1.42 particles/L during the wet season, showing no significant difference between the seasons (p = 0.101). The difference in mean microplastic abundance in sediment was 20.67 ± 8.55 particles/kg dry weight (dw) in the wet season and 29.67 ± 11.60 particles/kg during the dry season. Fragments and fibres predominated among microplastic forms, while polyethylene and polypropylene were the primary polymer types identified in surface water and sediments across both seasons. Microplastics of diameter < 1000 μm constituted 85.72% in surface water during the wet season and 82.02% in the sediment during the dry season. The Pollution Load Index values, ranging from 1.0 to 4.14, indicated low risk levels of microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments across the sampling sites. Natural vegetation dominated the river catchment (78.40%), while built-up areas accounted for 16.23%. PCA indicated that spatial variability in microplastic distribution was associated with catchment land-use composition, polymer composition, particle characteristics, and hydrological conditions. Sites with higher urban influence were associated with potential anthropogenic inputs, whereas agricultural areas suggested runoff-mediated transport pathways. These findings emphasise the need to improve the management of plastic initiatives and develop long-term mitigation programmes to address the microplastic pollution in the Densu River and other freshwater bodies.
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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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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.
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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.
Microplastics in Freshwater Environments and Implications for Aquatic Ecosystems: A Mini Review and Future Directions in Ghana
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This mini-review summarized the state of microplastic research in Ghana's freshwater systems, finding a significant research gap despite growing concern about aquatic ecosystem impacts. Freshwater microplastic research in sub-Saharan Africa lags behind marine studies, leaving local ecosystems and communities underprotected.
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Researchers found that heavy rains wash more tiny plastic bits into Nigerian rivers, and these plastics build up in fish—especially in their guts—with one river (Benue) showing the highest contamination. While the amount of plastic people would actually consume by eating this fish was lower than global averages, scientists are still concerned because microplastics can carry harmful chemicals, meaning long-term risks may be underestimated by just counting plastic particles alone.
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