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Toxicological Effects of Microplastic-Sorbed Sediment-Phthalates on Aquatic Organisms of Elegushi and Lagos Lagoon
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Tiny plastic particles floating in Nigeria's Lagos lagoon are picking up phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics flexible that have been linked to hormone disruption, from the sediment and delivering them to fish and other aquatic life, this study found. This matters because these same waterways are a source of seafood, meaning contaminated fish could pass these harmful chemicals up the food chain to the people who eat them. It's a reminder that microplastic pollution isn't just about the plastic itself, but also the toxic chemicals it can carry and spread through ecosystems.
Microplastics (MPs) are particles of plastic that have at least one dimension less than 5 mm. Recently, the impacts of microplastics on aquatic organisms have been the focus of many studies. The present study evaluated the toxicological effects of...
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Microplastics in carnivorous fish species, water and sediments of a coastal urban lagoon in Nigeria
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Researchers investigated microplastic presence in water, sediment, and carnivorous fish species from the Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria for the first time. The study found microplastics across all environmental compartments and in three fish species, suggesting that microplastic contamination is widespread in this coastal urban lagoon ecosystem and may enter local food chains.
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.
Microplastics as a source of phthalate esters in water: A review on occurrence, release mechanism, and ecological risk assessment
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This review pulls together existing research showing that microplastics floating in rivers and lakes aren't just plastic particles, they're also slowly leaking out chemical additives called phthalates, which are known to disrupt hormones. Even worse, as plastics break down over time from sun and physical wear, they release these chemicals faster and can also carry along other pollutants like heavy metals, potentially making the combined exposure more harmful to fish and other aquatic life that ingest them. While this study focused on water ecosystems rather than direct human health effects, it matters because these contaminated waters and organisms are part of the food chain and water supply humans rely
Seasonal Variation in Microplastic Abundance and Distribution in Sediments of the Andoni River Estuary, Nigeria
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits in a Nigerian river estuary, with more showing up during rainy season and near areas with illegal oil siphoning and fishing activity. This matters because these waters feed local fisheries, meaning the plastics (and whatever chemicals they carry) could work their way into seafood people eat.
Microplastic Presence in Sediment and Water of a Lagoon Bordering the Urban Agglomeration of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria
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This study investigated microplastic contamination in water and sediment from a lagoon bordering Lagos, Nigeria, finding plastics present at all sites. The study is the first of its kind in the area and raises concerns about how microplastic exposure affects aquatic organisms and the communities that depend on this water body for food and livelihoods.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.