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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in Ghana: An in-depth review of research, environmental threats, sources, and impacts on ecosystems and human health
ClearMicroplastics in Freshwater Environments and Implications for Aquatic Ecosystems: A Mini Review and Future Directions in Ghana
This mini-review summarized the state of microplastic research in Ghana's freshwater systems, finding a significant research gap despite growing concern about aquatic ecosystem impacts. Freshwater microplastic research in sub-Saharan Africa lags behind marine studies, leaving local ecosystems and communities underprotected.
Assessing microplastic contamination levels in ghana's mangrove wetlands
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination levels in Ghana's mangrove wetlands, examining how the morphology of mangrove root systems traps and accumulates plastic particles of all sizes and assessing the threat posed to these ecologically critical coastal ecosystems.
Assessing microplastic contamination levels in ghana's mangrove wetlands
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination levels in mangrove wetlands in Ghana, examining how mangrove tree morphology facilitates plastic accumulation and what concentrations and polymer types are present in these coastal ecosystems. The study addressed threats to mangrove ecological services including water quality improvement, carbon sequestration, and coastline protection posed by plastic pollution.
Invisible Peril: Assessing microplastic pollution in Ghanaian mangroves
This study assessed microplastic pollution in mangrove sediments in Ghana, measuring particle abundance, types, and polymer composition across multiple mangrove sites. Microplastics were ubiquitous in all sampled mangroves, with highest concentrations near urban and fishing communities.
Quantification and Characterization of Microplastics in Selected Water Bodies in and around Dhaka City
This study quantified and characterized microplastics in selected water bodies in Ghana, documenting MP abundance, polymer types, and morphologies in freshwater environments and assessing the contamination levels relative to water quality standards and ecological risk thresholds.
Pathways and risks of pesticides, microplastics, and emerging contaminants in Ghanaian drinking water: a systematic review
This systematic review found that pesticides, microplastics, and other contaminants enter Ghana's drinking water through agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and poor disposal practices. The findings show concerning levels of these pollutants in water sources, posing health risks including potential hormonal disruption and long-term toxicity for communities that depend on these water supplies.
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.
Microplastics in Inland African Waters: Presence, Sources, and Fate
Researchers reviewed what is known about microplastic pollution in Africa's inland waters, including the massive Great Lakes system and major rivers like the Congo and Nile, and found a striking lack of research data. The limited studies available, including one from Lake Victoria, confirm microplastics are present in fish guts, underscoring the urgent need for expanded monitoring across this understudied region.
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.
Microplastics prevalence in water, sediment and two economically important species of fish in an urban riverine system in Ghana
Microplastics were detected in water, sediment, and two commercially important fish species from an urban river system in Ghana, with fiber being the dominant type across all matrices. The study represents one of the first assessments of freshwater microplastic contamination in West Africa and highlights urban river systems as major pathways for plastic transport.
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.
The importance of microplastics pollution studies in water and soil of Nigeria ecosystems
This review highlights the lack of microplastic pollution research in Nigeria, despite the country's growing plastic production and consumption. The author calls for more local studies to generate data needed for science-based policy on plastic waste management in African ecosystems.
Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs
This review synthesizes the growing body of research on microplastic contamination in freshwater rivers, lakes, and sediments, which has received far less attention than marine environments. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can rival or exceed those reported in ocean studies, particularly near urban and industrial areas. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps including the lack of standardized sampling methods and limited understanding of how microplastics affect freshwater organisms and ecosystems.
Pollution fingerprinting of two southwestern estuaries in Ghana
Researchers assessed pollution in two Ghanaian estuaries and found microplastic contamination alongside elevated levels of nitrate, phosphorus, and metals in sediments, with fragments being the most common microplastic type across both sites.
Microplastics Pollution in Nigerian Aquatic Ecosystems: Sources, Pathways, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies. A Review
This review synthesized evidence on microplastic contamination across Nigerian aquatic ecosystems, including rivers, lagoons, seafood, and drinking water. The authors describe complex pollution pathways and impacts on organisms across trophic levels, while highlighting the need for Nigeria-specific research and stronger waste management policies.
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.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems in India: A Comprehensive Review
This review examines the occurrence, sources, and ecological risks of microplastics across freshwater ecosystems in India, synthesizing current literature on contamination levels in rivers, lakes, and other inland water bodies.
Comprehensive Review on Microplastic Pollution in Inland Waters of India
This comprehensive review examines microplastic pollution in India's inland freshwater systems, including major rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra. The study highlights that rapid industrialization, urbanization, and poor waste management have led to significant contamination from diverse sources including industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff, with potential consequences for aquatic organisms and human health through bioaccumulation in food chains.
Microplastic 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.
Evidence of microplastics accumulation in the gills and gastrointestinal tract of fishes from an estuarine system in Ghana
Researchers examined the gills and digestive tracts of 10 fish species from an estuary in Ghana and found microplastics present in all species studied. Fibers were the most common microplastic shape, and the gills contained nearly as many particles as the digestive tract, indicating multiple uptake pathways. The findings add to growing evidence that microplastic contamination in fish is widespread across West African coastal waters.
Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know
This review examines the state of knowledge on microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems, which have received far less scientific attention than marine environments despite being major pathways for plastic transport. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can be extremely high near urban areas and that organisms from insects to fish readily ingest these particles. The study identifies key research gaps including the need for standardized detection methods and better understanding of how microplastics move through and affect freshwater food webs.
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.
Plastic pollution in the environment in Nigeria: A rapid systematic review of the sources, distribution, research gaps and policy needs
Researchers conducted a systematic review of plastic pollution research in Nigeria and found critical data gaps — covering only 15 of 36 states — with microplastics detected in fish, insects, and water, highlighting the need for stronger policies, better monitoring, and expanded research to address the growing plastic crisis in West Africa.
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.