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Assessment of Waste Generation and Management Strategies at Eleko and Elegushi Beaches, Lagos State, Nigeria
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Researchers studying two popular Lagos beaches found trash piles up most on weekends and holidays, with plastic and nylon waste making up a significant chunk of the litter alongside natural shells. The good news: cleanup efforts seemed to keep pace with visitor crowds, meaning waste didn't get dramatically worse even during busy periods, but the steady presence of plastic waste is a reminder that this trash can break down into microplastics that end up in seawater, seafood, and eventually our own bodies. The takeaway is that consistent beach cleanups and better public awareness about proper disposal can make a real difference in protecting
Coastal tourism is a significant economic activity in many regions, including Nigeria, where beaches like Eleko and Elegushi in Lagos State attract thousands of visitors annually. This study investigates the waste accumulation patterns at Eleko Beach (EB) and Elegushi Royal Beach (ERB), focusing on the influence of human activities during peak visitation periods. A Clean Coast Index analysis (CCI) revealed that waste levels peaked during weekends and holidays, with EB reaching 4.57 items per square meter and ERB 3.98 items. At EB, shells (28.86%), plastics (11.01%), and nylon waste (10.71%) are prominent, while ERB shows higher percentages of shells (36.01%) and nylon waste (13.42%). EB also recorded a greater total litter count (672 items) compared to ERB (447 items), indicating more severe waste management issues. T-test analyses demonstrated no significant differences in waste volume and sand litter density between pre- and post-peak periods at both beaches (p-values > 0.05), suggesting effective waste management practices. These findings reveal that consistent cleanup efforts and visitor behavior, rather than sheer numbers, significantly impact litter accumulation. The persistent presence of plastic waste underscores the need for targeted interventions, including enhanced public awareness campaigns and improved waste disposal facilities, to mitigate ongoing pollution challenges.
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Ecological and Socio-Economic Assessment of Ecotourism-Driven Microplastics Pollution at Elegushi Beach, Lagos, Nigeria
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Researchers found that a popular beach in Lagos, Nigeria gets significantly more polluted with tiny plastic particles, toxic metals, and chemical contaminants during peak tourist season—microplastics in sand increased by over 40% in just three months. This matters because these plastic particles and chemicals (including phthalates, which are linked to hormone disruption) can enter the food chain through fish and seafood, eventually ending up on our plates. The study is a reminder that beach tourism, while good for local economies, needs better waste management and regulation to keep both ecosystems and the people who rely on them healthy.
Assessing Marine Litter Pollutionand Ecotourists Dynamics along Lagos Coastline Beaches: Sources, Composition, and Impacts
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This study assessed litter abundance, composition, and tourist population dynamics at six beaches along the Lagos coastline from November 2021 to February 2022, recording 12,968 litter items with plastic (29%) and styrofoam (22.25%) dominant. Significant spatial variations existed across beaches, with Oniru recording the second-highest litter occurrence (2,589 items), and Principal Component Analysis showing styrofoam and plastic significantly influencing litter composition, likely driven by poor waste management and coastal erosion.
Occurrence of Microplastics in Surface Sediments of Beaches in Lagos, Nigeria
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Microplastics were found in beach sediments at all four sampled sites in Lagos State, Nigeria, with fragments dominating and polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene identified. The results provide baseline data for West Africa's most populous city and highlight the need for better waste management in rapidly urbanizing coastal regions.
Lagos beaches have a microplastic pollution problem
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Lagos beaches in Nigeria are significantly contaminated with microplastics, reflecting the country's inadequate plastic waste management infrastructure. Addressing this requires systemic policy changes to prevent plastic from ever entering the environment as waste.
Assessment and Characterization of Plastic Pollution in Two Coastal Sites in Lagos Nigeria: Implications for Environmental Management and Public Awareness.
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This study investigated plastic pollution in two coastal communities in Lagos, Nigeria—Makoko and Ilaje—finding that Makoko was dominated by polyamide (nylon, 48%) and Ilaje primarily by PET (62%), with over half of Makoko residents admitting to improper plastic disposal. The research highlights the need for improved waste management infrastructure, public education, and implementation of the Polluter Pays Principle to address coastal plastic pollution in rapidly urbanizing African cities.
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.