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Microplastic Polymers in Surface Waters and Sediments in the Creeks Along the Kenya Coast, Western Indian Ocean (WIO)

European Journal of Sustainable Development Research 2021 18 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Joyce O. Kerubo, Joyce O. Kerubo, Joyce O. Kerubo, Joyce O. Kerubo, Joyce O. Kerubo, Joyce O. Kerubo, Agnes Muthumbi Agnes Muthumbi Agnes Muthumbi Agnes Muthumbi John Mmari Onyari, Agnes Muthumbi Deborah Robertson- Andersson, Agnes Muthumbi John Mmari Onyari, John Mmari Onyari, Deborah Robertson- Andersson, Deborah Robertson- Andersson, Deborah Robertson- Andersson, Deborah Robertson- Andersson, Edward Kimani, John Mmari Onyari, Deborah Robertson- Andersson, Edward Kimani, John Mmari Onyari, Edward Kimani, Edward Kimani, Edward Kimani, Agnes Muthumbi Agnes Muthumbi

Summary

Microplastic polymers were characterized in surface water and creek sediments along the Kenyan coast in the Western Indian Ocean, finding widespread contamination with polyethylene and polypropylene as dominant polymer types in an understudied African coastal environment.

Polymers

Study Type Environmental

Whereas the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) has been reported to be polluted with microplastics (MPs). Documented information on the specific polymeric composition of these particles in seawater and sediments along the Kenya coast is insufficient. This study assessed the abundance and types of microplastic polymers in the region. Microplastics were sampled from surface water using 500µm neuston nets and from the sediments using a 3.6 cm-diameter corer. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) were used to identify the MPs polymer types. Four polymer types were identified of which, high-density polyethene was the most abundant at 38.3%, followed by polypropylene (34.6%), low-density polyethene (27.1 %), and medium density polyethene (17.1%). The results demonstrate the extent of exposure to microplastics of the region’s ecosystems and provide the impetus for proper policy briefs regarding the management and disposal of plastic waste, protect and save oceans rich in biodiversity for sustainable development.

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