Papers

Why Nigeria should ban single-use plastics: Excessive microplastic pollution of the water, sediments and fish species in Osun River, Nigeria

Researchers found extremely high microplastic contamination in Nigeria's Osun River, with up to 22,079 particles per liter of water, the highest level reported globally for any river. Fish from the river contained 407 to 1,692 microplastic particles each, well above levels found in fish from Asia and Europe. Since communities use this river for drinking water and the fish for food, the findings highlight a serious and direct health risk from uncontrolled single-use plastic disposal.

Public and Environmental Health Effects of Plastic Wastes Disposal: A Review

This review examines the public and environmental health effects of plastic waste disposal, covering the full lifecycle from production through disposal and environmental accumulation. Researchers found that improper waste management leads to widespread microplastic generation, chemical leaching, and contamination of air, water, and soil. The study highlights that the health effects extend beyond marine ecosystems to include human communities, particularly those near waste disposal sites.

Microparticles and microplastics contamination in African table salts

Researchers analyzed 23 brands of table salt from eight African countries and found microplastic particles in products from South Africa, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana. The plastics identified included polyvinyl acetate, polypropylene, and polyethylene, confirming that table salt is a pathway for microplastic entry into the human food chain.

A critical viewpoint on current issues, limitations, and future research needs on micro- and nanoplastic studies: From the detection to the toxicological assessment.

This critical review examines the current methods for detecting and characterizing micro- and nanoplastics in various environmental samples, as well as reported toxic effects from in vivo and in vitro studies. The authors found that while substantial effort has been made to understand microplastic behavior, the scientific community is still far from a complete understanding of how these particles behave in biological systems. The review calls for improved standardized protocols and more studies focused on uptake kinetics, accumulation, and biodistribution.

Insights into hazardous solid waste generation during COVID-19 pandemic and sustainable management approaches for developing countries

Researchers reviewed hazardous solid waste generated by COVID-19 personal protective equipment, noting that SARS-CoV-2 persistence on plastic and other surfaces makes improper disposal a transmission risk, and proposed measures including biodegradable PPE materials and strategic pre-planning for waste management in low- and middle-income countries.

Microplastics in carnivorous fish species, water and sediments of a coastal urban lagoon in Nigeria

Researchers investigated microplastic presence in water, sediment, and carnivorous fish species from the Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria for the first time. The study found microplastics across all environmental compartments and in three fish species, suggesting that microplastic contamination is widespread in this coastal urban lagoon ecosystem and may enter local food chains.

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in water, sediment, and aquatic insects of the Owena River, Osun state, Nigeria

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and aquatic insects from the Owena River in Nigeria over a 12-month period. Microplastics were found across all sample types and river sections, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms. The study suggests that aquatic insects can serve as biological indicators of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.

Investigation of microplastics and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in sediments of two rivers in Southwestern Nigeria

Researchers investigated microplastic and toxic element contamination in sediments of two rivers in southwestern Nigeria. They found microplastic abundances ranging from 67 to 433 particles per kilogram, with polyethylene being the most common polymer type, along with elevated levels of chromium and lead. The study highlights how indiscriminate waste dumping is contaminating Nigerian river ecosystems and calls for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.

A study of the microplastic contamination of commercial table salts: A case study in Nigeria

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in eight commercial table salt brands sold in southwest Nigeria, detecting MPs in all samples with concentrations ranging from 4.0 to 13.8 particles per kilogram, predominantly fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene.

Microplastics in Marine Environment: Occurrence, Distribution, and Extraction Methods in Marine Organisms

This review summarized the occurrence, distribution, and extraction methods of microplastics in marine organisms, highlighting how these particles enter marine food webs through runoff and atmospheric deposition and pose risks to ecosystems and human health.

Assessment of Microplastics and Potentially Toxic Elements in Surface Sediments of the River Kelvin, Central Scotland, United Kingdom

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in sediments along Scotland's River Kelvin and found that abundance increased significantly from upstream to downstream locations, with fibres being the most common particle type. They also detected elevated levels of potentially toxic metals like chromium, copper, and zinc at several sites. The study suggests that urban and industrial activity along the river contributes to co-contamination by both microplastics and heavy metals in freshwater sediments.

Assessment of Bacterial Isolates Associated with Microplastics and their Resistance to Antibiotics from Rivers Ureje, Emirin, Ogbese, Odo-Ayo and Elemi in Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti- State, Nigeria

Researchers isolated bacteria from five rivers in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria associated with microplastic surfaces and tested their antibiotic resistance profiles, finding that microplastics harbored pathogenic bacteria including E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella typhi with multi-drug resistance patterns.

Effects of Microplastics on Stress Biomarkers and Histology in Atlantic Tarpon, Megalops Atlanticus (Valenciennes, 1847) from the Coastal Waters of Ondo State, Nigeria

A REVIEW OF THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF MICROPLASTICS ON HUMAN HEALTH

Release of chemical additives and potentially toxic elements from plastics under ambient outdoor environmental conditions

Researchers placed large pieces of seven commercial plastic polymers outdoors under natural conditions for extended periods and measured the release of phthalates, phenolic compounds, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, finding that realistic environmental conditions cause significant leaching of toxic chemical additives.

Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics, Polymer Identification and Total Coliform Counts in Selected Rivers in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Researchers analyzed microplastics in water samples from a Nigerian river system, characterizing their physicochemical properties, identifying polymer types via spectroscopy, and measuring total hydrocarbon content to assess the contamination burden and associated risks.

A REVIEW OF THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF MICROPLASTICS ON HUMAN HEALTH

Isothermal calorimetry calscreener in the metabolism gauge of human malignant neoplastic cells: a burgeoning nexus in cancer biochemical metrology and diagnostics

This study examined the potential of isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) using a calscreener instrument to detect metabolic alterations in cancer cells, proposing it as a diagnostic tool for cancer biochemical metrology. The review discusses technical requirements for accurate IMC measurements and positions the calscreener as a complementary approach to existing cancer screening methods.

Blocking the interactions between human ACE2 and coronavirus spike glycoprotein by selected drugs: a computational perspective

Using computational modeling, this study screened selected drugs for their ability to block interactions between the human ACE2 receptor and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, identifying several candidates as potential COVID-19 therapeutics.

Environmental pollution and their socioeconomic impacts

Occurrence, Distribution, and Extraction Methods of Microplastics in Marine Organisms

This review synthesizes global data on microplastic occurrence and distribution across marine organisms, comparing the advantages and limitations of different extraction and identification methods used in the field.

Assessment of Water and Wastewater Treatment Efficiency in Nigeria

This study assessed the efficiency of water and wastewater treatment systems in Nigeria through surveys with 35 sector engineers, evaluating infrastructure conditions, water quality, treatment efficacy, and management practices. Results revealed significant disparities in infrastructure and management quality across facilities, with recommendations for targeted investment and policy reform to meet global treatment standards.

Tissue Distributions and Toxic Effects of Hexavalent Chromium in Laboratory-Exposed Periwinkle (Littorina littorea Linnaeus)

This study examined tissue distribution and toxic effects of hexavalent chromium in the periwinkle Littorina littorea, finding accumulation in multiple tissues and dose-dependent toxicity responses relevant to monitoring industrial chromium pollution in coastal environments.

Meso- and micro-plastics contamination of water, sediments and fish species in coastal communities of Ondo State, Nigeria