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Microplastic Polymers in Surface Waters and Sediments in the Creeks Along the Kenya Coast, Western Indian Ocean (WIO)
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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.
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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Microplastics pollution in the sediments of creeks and estuaries of Kenya, western Indian Ocean
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Microplastic contamination was documented in sediments of creeks and estuaries along the Kenyan coast in the western Indian Ocean, with higher concentrations near urban centers and tourist areas, filling a major gap in microplastic monitoring data for East African coastal ecosystems and confirming regional contamination levels comparable to more studied ocean regions.
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of creeks along the Kenyan coast, Western Indian Ocean (WIO)
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Microplastic pollution was documented in surface waters of creeks along the Kenyan coast in the Western Indian Ocean, establishing baseline data for a region where microplastic research has been limited and identifying wastewater discharge and fishing activities as likely sources.
Sampling and Analysis of Microplastics in the Coastal Environments of Sri Lanka: Estuaries of the Kelani River to Mahaoya
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Microplastics were found in both beach sediments and coastal seawater along 42 kilometers of Sri Lanka's western coastline, with polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene being the most common types. The results document significant plastic contamination along the coast of a densely populated South Asian nation, raising concerns about exposure for coastal communities and marine life in the Indian Ocean region.
Microplastics in Kenya's marine nearshore surface waters: Current status
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Researchers collected microplastics from six locations along Kenya's marine nearshore surface waters, finding a mean concentration of 0.58 MPs per cubic meter with fragments (55%) and polypropylene (52%) as the dominant type and polymer. Malindi was identified as a hotspot for microplastic pollution, providing baseline data to support policy development in the region.
Microplastics Contamination of Fish From The Creeks Along The Kenya Coast, Western Indian Ocean (WIO).
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This study found microplastics in five common food fish species along the Kenya coast of the Indian Ocean, with bottom-dwelling fish showing higher contamination than pelagic or reef fish. The findings indicate that plastic pollution has reached East African coastal fisheries, with potential implications for food safety among communities that depend on seafood.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.