We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Status Updates on Plastics Pollution in Aquatic Environment of Tanzania: Data Availability, Current Challenges and Future Research Needs
Summary
This review of plastic pollution research in Tanzania found significant data gaps, particularly for freshwater systems, and identified key research needs for the country. The findings highlight that microplastic monitoring in many developing nations remains far behind what is needed to understand the true extent of contamination.
Plastics are the most useful materials invented by man, and have brought great convenience to our daily lives but not without problems. Inappropriate disposal of wasted plastics has caused serious environmental problems. Over the past decade, microplastic debris in both marine and freshwater systems have become an emerging issue. A literature review was conducted to summarize the current state of knowledge of plastic pollution in Tanzanian aquatic systems. Although, Tanzania has vast coastlines and world’s largest freshwater lakes, the extent of microplastics presence in the aquatic environment remains largely unreported. Data from volunteer beach cleanups in Dar es Salaam areas show that typically more than 70% of anthropogenic litter along the beaches is comprised of plastics. In the only study to date to describe microplastic pollution in the African Great Lakes, a variety of polymers, including polyethylene, polypropylene and silicone rubber, were identified from the gastrointestinal tracts of Nile perch and Nile tilapia fished from Mwanza Gulf, Lake Victoria, in Tanzania. Due to human pressures, increased urbanization, coupled with general inadequate awareness, the potential for microplastic pollution is high. Mitigation of the effects of this pollution requires efforts from various interested stakeholders, including the local communities.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives
This review synthesizes the limited literature on microplastic contamination in Tanzania, identifying polymer types, environmental distribution, pollution sources, and knowledge gaps, and recommending national monitoring strategies and waste management improvements.
Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments in Africa: status and research opportunities
This review examines the status of microplastic pollution research in African aquatic environments, noting that Africa's high rate of plastic waste mismanagement has resulted in widespread contamination of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Researchers found significant research gaps in the region despite its outsized contribution to global plastic pollution, and identified opportunities for expanded monitoring given microplastics' capacity to adsorb persistent organic pollutants.
Microplastic assessment approaches for African freshwater biota: a review
This review assessed the state of microplastic research on African freshwater organisms, evaluating the methodological approaches used across published studies and identifying regional gaps. The authors found that African freshwater biota are understudied relative to the continent's high plastic pollution burden, and identified inconsistent sampling and analytical methods as major barriers to cross-study comparisons.
Quantifying Plastic Waste and Microplastic Contamination in African Aquatic Systems: An Imperative for Sustainable Waste Management
This review assessed the scale of plastic waste and microplastic contamination in African aquatic systems, finding that inadequate waste management infrastructure amplifies plastic pollution in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters across the continent.
The Occurrence and Fate of Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants in South Africa and the Degradation of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments—A Critical Review
A review of microplastic research in South Africa reveals a critical data gap: despite the country generating around 120 million tons of waste annually, there is almost no published information on microplastic concentrations in its wastewater treatment plants or freshwater systems. The authors argue that urgent monitoring is needed to support effective policy, given that South Africa's infrastructure is under increasing pressure from urbanization and industrialization.