We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic Abundance in the Surface Water, Clams (Corbicula fluminea) and Fish Species (Oreochromis niloticus and Coregonus kiyi) from the Gaborone Dam, Botswana
Summary
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in water, clams, and fish from the Gaborone Dam in Botswana, finding microplastics present across all sample types. Surface water contained 36 to 76 particles per liter, with the highest concentrations near deeper areas of the dam, while fibers were the dominant type found in fish organs. The study suggests that urbanized freshwater environments in southern Africa are accumulating microplastics that are entering aquatic food webs.
Microplastics (< 5 mm) are emerging concern in the aquatic environments with the potential to cause harm to aquatic and human life. Given their small sizes, they become easily ingested by the marine biota and might be transferred to humans through food chain. It is imperative to understand their existence and distribution in freshwaters within the proximity of urbanized areas which are prone to microplastic pollution. We investigated the distribution patterns in the surface water and the quantity ingested by the clams (Corbicula fluminea) and fish species (Oreochromis niloticus and Coregonus kiyi) of the Gaborone Dam. Samples collected were subjected to wet peroxide oxidation and potassium hydroxide. The results showed abundance of microplastics in surface water, ranging from 36.0 to 76.0 particles/L while their weight varied from 760 to 1943 µg/m3. The high abundances were recorded in deep areas (S3 and S6) near the boundary wall of the dam than in shallow areas (S1 and S5). Microplastics recovered in fish species varied from 1.5 to 4.2 count per fish while in clams they varied from 2.2 to 8.0 count per site. Furthermore, microplastics recovered in the fish species and their organs were mostly fibres while film were the least. Overall, translucent and black microplastics were dominant across all samples, with majority being small-sized to medium-sized of ranges 1–2 mm, 2–3 mm and 3–4 mm. The results from this study indicate the accumulation of microplastics in the dam, thus suggesting that the dam may serve as a sink for microplastics.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Quantification of microplastics in Coptodon rendalli and surface waters of Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana: the first baseline evidence
Researchers collected surface water and fish tissue samples from six sites in Dikgatlhong Dam, Botswana, to establish baseline microplastic data for the region. Microplastics were found in all water samples (33–78 n/L) and in fish (9–19 items/individual), providing the first evidence of MP contamination in this southern African freshwater ecosystem.
Assessing microplastic abundances in freshwater fishes in a subtropical African reservoir
Scientists examined freshwater fish from a reservoir in South Africa and found microplastics in nearly 87% of the fish across eight species. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic, found in both the gills and digestive tracts of the fish. Since these fish are consumed by local communities, the widespread contamination raises concerns about human exposure to microplastics through freshwater fish, an understudied area compared to marine seafood.
Microplastic load in the surface water and Tilapia sparrmanii (Smith, 1840) of the river systems of Okavango Delta, Botswana
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in surface water and the digestive organs of Tilapia sparrmanii collected from the Okavango Delta in Botswana, providing the first characterization of microplastic spatial distribution and polymer types in this major inland freshwater wetland.
Microplastics prevalence in water, sediment and two economically important species of fish in an urban riverine system in Ghana
Microplastics were detected in water, sediment, and two commercially important fish species from an urban river system in Ghana, with fiber being the dominant type across all matrices. The study represents one of the first assessments of freshwater microplastic contamination in West Africa and highlights urban river systems as major pathways for plastic transport.
Microplastics in the Volta Lake: Occurrence, distribution, and human health implications
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.