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Occurrence of Microplastics in Commercial Fish Species in Nigeria: A Case Study of Lower Usuma Dam and Jabi Lake, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
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Researchers found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the guts of most fish, up to 80% of samples, caught from two water sources in Nigeria's capital region, along with dozens of plastic particles in the surrounding lake water. Since these fish are commonly eaten locally, this raises real questions about whether people could be unknowingly consuming microplastics through their diet, though more research is needed to understand the actual health risks. This study is one of the first to document the problem in Nigerian waters, highlighting a pollution issue that likely deserves closer attention worldwide.
The emergence of microplastics pollution poses a significant environmental and health concern on freshwater ecosystems as well as human health, due to its persistence and potential ecological impacts. Microplastics contamination remains greatly under reported across the Nigerian aquatic ecosystem and as such, only limited data exist for the occurrence of microplastics in the region. This present study was carried to investigate for the first time, the occurrence of microplastics in Lower Usuma Dam and Jabi Lake in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. The gastrointestinal tract of common commercial fish species in the locations Lates niloticus (Nile Perch) and Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia) were analyzed, and microplastics were found in 60% and 80% of each fish species collected from the two sampling locations. Similarly, a total of 71 microplastics particles were also recovered from water samples collected from the two locations confirming the prevalence of microplastics. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were found in the surface water samples while Nylon (N), polyethylene terepthtalate (PET) were predominant in fishes collected. Generally, the shape distribution of microplastics particles were reported in the order fragment>foam>filament>film. Statistical analysis carried out showed no significant relationship between microplastics ingestion in different fish species and microplastics in the selected water bodies (P > 0.05). These findings highlight the need for further research in the region in other to identify and assess the full extent of microplastics pollution and how it affects the aquatic life as well as human health.
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Researchers screened and detected microplastics in the stomachs of commonly consumed fish from a Nigerian municipal water supply lake, providing baseline data for a region where such records are scarce and raising concerns about human dietary exposure.
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in two commercially important fish species, Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus, collected from the River Niger at Lokoja in Kogi State, Nigeria. The study found microplastics present in both species, highlighting the riverine pollution burden and potential for human dietary exposure through fish consumption.
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in two commercial fish species from Kubanni Reservoir in Nigeria and found fibers to be the most abundant particle type, with concentrations varying by season. The fish showed signs of oxidative stress and cellular damage in gills, liver, and muscle tissue that correlated with microplastic ingestion levels. The study raises concerns about potential human health risks from consuming contaminated fish, particularly for children who may exceed safe exposure thresholds.
Effect of Microplastics on Water Quality and Oreochromis Niloticus (Nile Tilapia) In Jakara River, Kano State, Nigeria
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles polluting a river in Nigeria, and tilapia fish living there had plastic buildup in their gills and liver along with signs of cell damage. Since many people eat fish like tilapia, this suggests the plastic pollution harming fish could eventually work its way into human diets too.
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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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