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Detection of Microplastic Pollutants and the Wellbeing of Clarias gariepinus (African Catfish) in Jama’are River, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Summary
Researchers detected multiple types of microplastics — including polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC — in water and fish from a Nigerian river, and found that African catfish living there showed signs of tissue damage and altered blood markers, indicating that microplastic contamination is harming freshwater fish health in the region.
Background and Objective:The contamination of freshwater ecosystems with microplastics is becoming a serious concern for its negative consequences on the ecosystem.This study aimed to evaluate the presence of microplastic pollutants and their potential impact on Clarias gariepinus (African catfish) in Jama'are River, Bauchi State.Materials and Methods: Sampling was conducted fortnightly over 4 months (April to July, 2023) at three stations (A, B and C).Water and fish samples were analyzed for microplastics using light microscopy (stereo microscope Micromed (MC2) with a digital camera and top view 3.7.6273software) and FTIR.Additionally, physicochemical parameters, histopathological examination of fish tissues and haematological indices of fish blood were assessed.Physicochemical parameters of the water samples were generally within WHO permissible limits.Results: However, turbidity levels exceeded the recommended value of 5 NTU.The mean temperature ranged from (30.233.1C) to (33.153.7C),electric conductivity from (150.857.0s/cm) to (158.336.1 s/cm), dissolved oxygen concentration from (5.550.1 mg/L) to (5.150.2mg/L), pH from (6.231.2) to (6.991.1),turbidity from (308.234.2NTU) to (314.154.2NTU), total dissolved solids from (322.3036 mg/L) to (397.1523 mg/L) and total suspended solids from (244.7337 mg/L) to (291.4539 mg/L).Microplastic analysis revealed the presence of various contaminants, including acrylonitrile butadiene, polyamides, poly butylene succinate adipate, poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly carbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyether ether ketone and polyethylene (PE).Conclusion: These findings indicate water contamination, emphasizing the need for effective measures to control microplastic levels in the surface water of the studied area.