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Microplastics in Ghana: An in-depth review of research, environmental threats, sources, and impacts on ecosystems and human health
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This review examines the state of microplastic research in Ghana, finding that contamination is widespread across coastal areas, rivers, lakes, and forests. Most studies have focused on coastal environments, leaving significant knowledge gaps about inland pollution and its effects on the communities that depend on these ecosystems. The review calls for systematic policy frameworks and more targeted research to protect both ecosystems and human health in Ghana.
Microplastics pose significant challenges on a global scale. In Ghana, these tiny pollutants infiltrate diverse ecosystems such as coastal areas, rivers, lakes, and forests, vital to the nation's economy and social well-being. This review examines the current depth of knowledge in research and the escalating concern of microplastics, identifying significant gaps in research and understanding. The findings highlight the limited understanding of the extent and distribution of microplastic pollution across different environmental compartments, primarily focusing on coastal environments. Additionally, detection and quantification techniques for microplastics face several complexities and limitations in the Ghanaian context due to constraints such as infrastructure, resources, and expertise. Despite some research efforts, particularly along the coastline, there is still a distinct lack of attention in various regions and ecosystems within Ghana. This imbalance in research focus hinders the understanding and effective mitigation of microplastics in the country. This therefore necessitates the implementation of systematic policy frameworks, emphasizing the importance of recycling and upcycling as effective strategies to address the challenges of microplastics in Ghana with more targeted research and public engagement. This review serves as a call to action for a strategic approach to research and policy-making on microplastic research and pollution in Ghana.
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Microplastics in Freshwater Environments and Implications for Aquatic Ecosystems: A Mini Review and Future Directions in Ghana
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This mini-review summarized the state of microplastic research in Ghana's freshwater systems, finding a significant research gap despite growing concern about aquatic ecosystem impacts. Freshwater microplastic research in sub-Saharan Africa lags behind marine studies, leaving local ecosystems and communities underprotected.
Assessing microplastic contamination levels in ghana's mangrove wetlands
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination levels in Ghana's mangrove wetlands, examining how the morphology of mangrove root systems traps and accumulates plastic particles of all sizes and assessing the threat posed to these ecologically critical coastal ecosystems.
Assessing microplastic contamination levels in ghana's mangrove wetlands
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination levels in mangrove wetlands in Ghana, examining how mangrove tree morphology facilitates plastic accumulation and what concentrations and polymer types are present in these coastal ecosystems. The study addressed threats to mangrove ecological services including water quality improvement, carbon sequestration, and coastline protection posed by plastic pollution.
Invisible Peril: Assessing microplastic pollution in Ghanaian mangroves
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This study assessed microplastic pollution in mangrove sediments in Ghana, measuring particle abundance, types, and polymer composition across multiple mangrove sites. Microplastics were ubiquitous in all sampled mangroves, with highest concentrations near urban and fishing communities.
Mapping ecological impact of microplastics on freshwater habitat in the central region of Ghana: a case study of River Akora
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Researchers assessed microplastic pollution along Ghana's River Akora and found plastic debris contaminating water, sediment, and fish, with local communities largely unaware of the risks — illustrating how inadequate waste disposal in developing regions directly translates into microplastic exposure for people eating locally caught fish.
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.