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Microplastics in the lower Volta Basin, Ghana - Quantitation and fish dietary exposure assessment using advanced spectroscopic techniques
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Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastics in the lower Volta Basin in Ghana, examining both water, sediment, and fish across wet and dry seasons. They found that fish contained hundreds of microplastic particles each, with cage-farmed tilapia and bottom-feeding species ingesting the most, and that sediments were significantly more polluted than the water. The study raises concerns about dietary microplastic exposure for communities that rely heavily on fish from this freshwater system.
Despite recent surge in microplastics (MPs) research, there is a paucity of information on freshwaters in Ghana. For the first time, MPs in cage and wild sites of the lower Volta Basin were evaluated, and polymer type characterized using LDIR and ATR-FTIR. Seasonal variations and mode of fish production significantly influenced MPs abundance. In fish, MPs concentration of 387 ± 33.85 (wet season) contrasted with 288 ± 21.4 items individual (dry season). Benthopelagics consumed 63% MPs; cage benthopelagics- Oreochromis niloticus consumed 58.5% MPs. Statistically significant differences in mean MPs were observed in fishes. MPs extracted from grower feed for cage fish was ≥24 items (kg feed). The high metabolic rates of smaller-weighted fishes induced a higher consumption of MPs. From fish health assessment, a positive growth coefficient was observed for Oreochromis niloticus; negative allometric growth was observed for some wild fishes. Spatially, MPs decreased in fish along Basin sites- Asikuma (365 ± 36.58 items individual) > Kpong (209 ± 19.71 items individual) > Sogakope (71.3 ± 20.86 items individual). The Basin sediment was significantly polluted (1950 ± 80 MP items (kg dw)), contrary to the freshwater (111.0 ± 11 MP items (L water)). 12.3% of MPs polymers characterized had aged and 54% of particles were unknown. MP shapes detected were fibre (97.9%), fragment (2.1%) and film (0.06%). Dominant particle sizes (0.50-2.50 mm, 85%) were black- and blue-coloured. Major polymers were acrylates-polyurethane-varnish (45.7%) and PVC (39%). Lower contributions were obtained from PET, PA, PP, PE, and PE-Cl. An estimated freshwater-fish annual intake (cage: 2561; wild: 4785 MP items (person year)) exceeded the recommended EUMOFA/NOAA guidelines (518-3078 particles (year capita)). From this study, plastic aquaculture infrastructure from fish cages, effluents, and fishmeal contributed to MPs consumed by fish. This study provides baseline data on MPs distribution within the Volta Basin, Ghana.
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Microplastics in the Volta Lake: Occurrence, distribution, and human health implications
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Researchers found microplastics in prawns, clams, tilapia, and sediments from Ghana's Volta Lake, with prawns containing the highest levels at about 4.7 particles per individual. Microfibers were the most common shape, and the types of plastics found in the animals matched those in the lake sediment. Although estimated human exposure from consuming these fisheries products was relatively low, the presence of microplastics in a major African freshwater food source raises food safety concerns for local communities.
Microplastics in the Gulf of Guinea: An analysis of concentrations and distribution in sediments, gills, and guts of fish collected off the coast of Ghana
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