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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to An overview of the prevalence of micro- and nanoplastics in the Southern African development community: a potential risk to environmental and public health
ClearMicroplastic pollution in African countries’ water systems: a review on findings, applied methods, characteristics, impacts, and managements
This review synthesizes findings on microplastic pollution in water systems across African countries, highlighting methodological approaches, particle characteristics, sources, and impacts, while noting the limited but growing body of African microplastic research.
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.
Plastic and Micro/Nanoplastic Pollution in Sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges, Impacts, and Solutions
This review documents the growing microplastic and nanoplastic pollution problem across sub-Saharan Africa, where rapid plastic use and poor waste management are creating significant contamination in waterways, sediments, and aquatic life. The harsh climate conditions in the region accelerate plastic breakdown into smaller, more dangerous particles. The pollution threatens food production, water quality, and public health in communities that often lack the resources to monitor or address the problem.
Microplastics in aquatic environment: characterization, ecotoxicological effect, implications for ecosystems and developments in South Africa
This review examined microplastic sources, transport, chemical interactions, characterization methods, and ecotoxicological effects in aquatic environments, with a focus on the South African context. The authors assessed microplastic fate in wastewater treatment plants and summarized the current state and trends of microplastic research in South African freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Effects of urbanisation and a wastewater treatment plant on microplastic densities along a subtropical river system
Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in sediments along a subtropical river system in southern Africa and examined how urbanization and wastewater treatment affect contamination levels. They found that microplastic densities were highest near urban areas and downstream of wastewater treatment plants. The study suggests that urban development and inadequate wastewater infrastructure are key drivers of freshwater microplastic pollution in the region.
Microplastic pollution in water Systems of the Global South: A review
This review assesses the state of microplastic pollution in water systems across the Global South, where inadequate waste management infrastructure contributes to widespread contamination. Researchers found that despite decades of research documenting the risks, governmental response in these regions has been limited. The study calls for region-specific mitigation strategies and stronger regulatory frameworks to address the disproportionate impact of microplastic pollution on developing nations.
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 occurrence and fate in the South African environment: a review
This review summarizes microplastic contamination across South Africa's freshwater, marine, and air environments. Researchers found microplastics in drinking water samples from major cities, with marine sediment levels along the southeast coast reaching particularly high concentrations. The findings emphasize the need for better wastewater treatment, stronger laws on single-use plastics, and more research on how this contamination affects human health.
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.
Microplastics in African freshwater sediments: A systematic review of characteristics, abundance and analytical methods
This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in African freshwater sediments. The research found highly variable microplastic levels across different water systems, with fibers and fragments being the most common types. Freshwater contamination is a concern for human health because many African communities depend directly on rivers and lakes for drinking water and fish.
Microplastic occurrence and densities in small subtropical reservoirs of Southern Africa
Researchers measured microplastic levels across seasons in small reservoirs in southern Africa, finding that microplastic concentrations were higher during the dry season and in reservoirs near areas with greater human activity. The study establishes baseline data for a region where plastic pollution research is scarce and warns that contamination could worsen without targeted intervention.
Ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in sub-Saharan Africa aquatic ecosystems: An implication to environmental health
This review examines the ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems across sub-Saharan Africa, where research on the topic remains limited. Researchers summarized evidence that microplastics have been found in water, sediment, and aquatic organisms throughout the region, with potential effects on food chains and human health. The study highlights the urgent need for more comprehensive monitoring and policy responses in African countries.
Emergence of microplastics in African environmental drinking water sources: A review on sources, analysis and treatment strategies
This review examines microplastic contamination of drinking water sources across Africa, identifying entry pathways linked to uncontrolled plastic imports, poor waste management, and limited water treatment infrastructure. The authors highlight the need for more African-specific research on microplastic fate in water systems and call for improved treatment strategies appropriate for resource-limited settings.
Consideration of emerging environmental contaminants in africa: Review of occurrence, formation, fate, and toxicity of plastic particles
This review examined the occurrence of micro- and nanoplastics in African environments, covering contamination across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric matrices. It highlighted that despite Africa's significant contribution to global plastic pollution, monitoring data from the continent remain sparse relative to Europe and North America.
Plastics in municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment plant effluents: challenges and opportunities for South Africa-a review.
This review examines the limited research on plastic pollution in South African freshwater and drinking water systems compared to the country's more studied coastal and marine environments. The authors identify a significant knowledge gap on the health and economic impacts of plastics in water supplies and call for more monitoring and policy development.
Marine and freshwater microplastic research in South Africa
This review summarizes microplastic research in South Africa, noting that both marine and freshwater studies are still limited but growing. The review highlights key knowledge gaps, particularly in freshwater environments, that need to be addressed to understand the extent of South Africa's microplastic contamination.
Microplastic pollution in Africa: an overview of abundance in aquatic organisms, freshwater and marine water environments and analytical methods for reporting
This review provides an overview of microplastic pollution across Africa, covering contamination levels in aquatic organisms, freshwater and marine environments, and the analytical methods used in studies across the continent. Researchers found that microplastic pollution is widespread in African waters, though standardized detection and reporting methods are needed to enable better cross-study comparisons.
A review of the ecotoxicological status of microplastic pollution in African freshwater systems
This review summarizes existing research on microplastic pollution in African rivers and lakes, finding contamination in water, sediments, and fish across the continent. Fibers and fragments were the most common shapes, and the study notes that microplastics can enter body cells and cause genetic mutations, oxidative stress, and nerve damage -- a concern given that Africa's freshwater microplastic monitoring and drinking water research remain limited.
Framing the plastic pollution problem within the water quality-health nexus: Current understandings and policy recommendations
This review frames plastic pollution as a water quality and public health problem in South Africa, where millions of tons of mismanaged plastic waste enter the environment each year. The authors argue that addressing plastic pollution requires integrated water management policies.
A baseline study on the prevalence of microplastics in South African drinking water: from source to distribution
A baseline survey of South Africa's largest bulk drinking water system found microplastics present throughout — in source water, immediately after treatment, and in the distribution network supplying major urban areas — at concentrations of 0.24 to 1.47 particles per liter. Critically, the treatment process showed little evidence of actually reducing microplastic concentrations, meaning treated tap water delivered to millions of people still contains detectable microplastic particles.
Microplastics in African ecosystems: Current knowledge, abundance, associated contaminants, techniques, and research needs
This review synthesized current knowledge on microplastic abundance, associated contaminants, and ecological effects in African ecosystems, a region that ranks among the highest in mismanaged plastic waste. Despite the scale of the problem, the review found insufficient environmental monitoring data from Africa, calling for continent-specific research to support accurate global risk assessments.
Micro- and Nano-Plastics Contaminants in the Environment: Sources, Fate, Toxicity, Detection, Remediation, and Sustainable Perspectives
This review provides a broad overview of micro- and nanoplastic pollution, covering where these particles come from, how they spread through the environment, and the damage they cause to living things including humans. The authors also compare different methods for removing microplastics from the environment, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. The paper calls for more research and global cooperation to develop better tools for measuring the health risks of plastic pollution.
Microplastics pollution in water is a threat for human health and the environment (literature review)
This literature review examines the growing problem of microplastic contamination in water bodies and drinking water worldwide. Evidence indicates that microplastics pose concerns for human health both through their physical effects and through the chemicals and microorganisms they can carry, with studies confirming their presence in marine and freshwater environments across multiple countries.
Distribution, human and ecological risks of microplastics in the African environment
This review summarizes the current state of microplastic pollution across the African continent, covering water, soil, and air environments. Researchers found that rapid industrialization and urbanization are increasing the rate of microplastic contamination, but significant knowledge gaps remain about the extent and impacts of this pollution in African countries. The study highlights the need for more research on the ecological and health risks of microplastics in the region.