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The first evidence of microplastic presence in the River Nile in Khartoum, Sudan: Using Nile Tilapia fish as a bio-indicator
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This scoping study investigated microplastic presence in Nile Tilapia fish from the River Nile in Khartoum, Sudan -- the first such study in Sudanese freshwaters -- finding microplastics across sampled fish. The authors establish baseline data for a major African river system with previously no microplastic records.
The extent of microplastics in African freshwater systems remains less investigated. In Sudan, there is no single study reporting microplastics in water bodies. This scoping study aimed to investigate the presence and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in Nile Tilapia fish from the River Nile in Khartoum, Sudan. The digestive tracts of the fish were digested using 10% potassium hydroxide, and microplastic particles were extracted by density separation using sodium iodide. 567 particles of different sizes (0.04-4.94 mm), shapes (fibers, fragments, films, foams, and pellets), and colours (mostly green, black, blue, and grey) were identified as microplastics. The average abundance of microplastics was 72.02 ± 62.06 particles/kg, and the average intensity was 18.90 ± 9.17 MPs/fish. Small-sized (<1 mm), fibrous-shaped, and coloured microplastics were most abundant in all samples, representing 56%, 85%, and 84%, respectively. Surface examination by SEM showed signs of fragmentation such as cracks, pits, and pores. Two polymer types (high-density polyethylene and polypropylene) were identified by Raman spectroscopy. The predominance of fibers and fragments (94.5%) over pellets (0.35%) and the apparent signs of fragmentation may indicate that MPs are mostly secondary MPs. Wastewater effluent, domestic discharge, and recreational activities are the potential sources. This scoping investigation provided the first data on microplastic presence in the River Nile in Khartoum, and it could be used to guide future studies to fill research gaps in the region.
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Researchers provided the first evidence of microplastic contamination in fish from the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt, finding that over 75% of sampled Nile tilapia and catfish contained microplastics in their digestive tracts, with fibers and fragments being the dominant particle types.
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Researchers found microplastics in all water, sediment, and animal samples collected from the Nile River in Upper Egypt, with Edfu showing the highest abundances and crayfish accumulating the most microplastics in gills while African catfish had the highest alimentary canal burden.
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This review summarizes existing research on microplastics in Egypt's Nile River, found in water, sediment, and over 75% of sampled Cairo fish. Studies show microplastics can carry heavy metals, pollutants, and antibiotics, causing oxidative stress and reproductive problems in aquatic organisms, though human health effects in Nile populations remain largely unstudied.
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