We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Microplastics in Nakivubo Catchment: Implications for the Pollution of Lake Victoria
Summary
Researchers tracked spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastics in the Nakivubo catchment in Uganda, finding elevated MP concentrations near urban drainage channels that flow into Lake Victoria, with implications for freshwater quality and regional food security.
Microplastics (MPs) have been extensively studied in the marine environment, but reliable data on their sources and pathways in freshwater ecosystems, which are the main sources of such pollutants, are still limited. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal variations, characteristics, and sources of MPs in Nakivubo catchment, which drains waste and stormwater from Kampala city (Uganda) and empties it into Lake Victoria through the Nakivubo channel. Surface water samples (n = 117) were collected from thirteen sites in the Nakivubo catchment (S1 to S13) during the dry and wet seasons in 2022. The MPs were recovered by wet peroxide oxidation protocol, followed by salinity-based density separation, stereomicroscopy, and micro-attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. All the samples had MPs, with mean concentrations ranging from 1568.6 ± 1473.8 particles/m3 during the dry season to 2140.4 ± 3670.1 particles/m3 in the wet season. Nakivubo catchment discharges an estimated 293.957 million particles/day into Lake Victoria. A Two-Way ANOVA revealed significant interactive effects of seasons and sampling sites on MPs abundance (p < 0.05). Spatially, the highest mean concentrations of MPs (5466.67 ± 6441.70 particles/m3) were in samples from site S3, which is characterized by poor solid waste and wastewater management practices. Filaments (79.7%) and fragments (17.9%) made of polyethylene (75.4%) and polyethylene/polypropylene co-polymer (16.0%) were the most common MPs. These are likely from single-use polyethylene and polypropylene packaging bags, water bottles, and filaments shed from textiles during washing. These results highlight the ubiquity of MPs in urban drainage systems feeding into Lake Victoria. To mitigate this pollution, urban authorities need to implement strict waste management policies to prevent plastic debris from entering drainage networks.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Impact of land cover on microplastics accumulation in freshwater sediments
Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation in freshwater sediments across sites with different land cover types, examining temporal trends to understand how land use affects plastic discharge into waterways. Land cover type was a significant predictor of sediment microplastic concentration, with urbanized and agricultural catchments showing higher accumulation.
Spatiotemporal variation in microplastic contamination along a subtropical reservoir shoreline
Researchers tracked microplastic contamination along the shoreline of a subtropical reservoir over two years and found that microplastic abundance was higher near urban areas and varied with season, with storm-related inputs creating significant temporal spikes.
Occurrence and Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in the Surface Waters of Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Scientists surveyed microplastic abundance and composition in surface waters of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, finding contamination across the lake with higher concentrations near agricultural and urban areas, providing one of the first datasets for a major East African freshwater body.
Evaluating the Risk of Microplastic Contamination of Water Resources: Case of Mfoundi Subbasin-Cameroon
Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination risks to water resources in the Mfoundi subbasin of Cameroon, investigating distribution and potential impacts on this urban water catchment. The study contributes to understanding of microplastic pollution dynamics in sub-Saharan African freshwater systems.
Spatio and temporal dynamics of microplastic fluxes within the watercourses of a peri-urban watershed
Researchers tracked the spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastic fluxes within a river catchment over time, linking plastic transport patterns to land use activities. The study found that land use type is a key driver of when and how much microplastic enters and moves through watercourses.