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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic pollution in Africa: an overview of abundance in aquatic organisms, freshwater and marine water environments and analytical methods for reporting
ClearMicroplastic 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Microplastics in aquatic ecosystems of Africa: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis
This meta-analysis integrating data from 75 studies found that African aquatic ecosystems are highly contaminated with microplastics compared to global averages, with fibers and fragments being the most prevalent shapes. Sampling methods significantly affect reported abundance, and the environmental risk assessment revealed that polyethylene and polypropylene are the dominant polymer types across African rivers, lakes, and oceans.
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.
A review of the environments, biota, and methods used in microplastics research in South Africa
This review assesses the current state of microplastic research in South Africa, finding that while the country leads the African continent in publications, many studies use inconsistent methods that limit comparability. The authors call for a standardized national approach to microplastic sampling and analysis, noting that terrestrial and atmospheric environments remain largely uninvestigated.
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.
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 pollution studies in India: a recent review of sources, abundances and research perspectives
This review summarizes microplastic pollution studies conducted across India, covering sources, distribution, and concentrations in aquatic environments and aquatic organisms. The study highlights the growing scale of microplastic contamination in Indian water bodies and the need for standardized national monitoring programs.
Macro problems from microplastics: Toward a sustainable policy framework for managing microplastic waste in Africa
Researchers critically reviewed regulatory and policy approaches to managing microplastic pollution across African countries. They found that while environmental monitoring studies demonstrate an urgent need for action, the effectiveness of existing plastic waste policies in Africa remains poorly understood. The study proposes a sustainable policy framework tailored to the unique challenges African nations face in reducing microplastic waste generation and environmental contamination.
Methodological similarities and discrepancies among studies on microplastics in South American continental aquatic environments
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 57 studies on microplastic pollution in South American continental aquatic environments, identifying significant methodological discrepancies in sampling, detection limits, and sample preparation that limit cross-study comparability and proposing standardization approaches.
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.
Microplastic burden in Africa: A review of occurrence, impacts, and sustainability potential of bioplastics
Researchers reviewed the occurrence, impacts, and distribution of microplastic pollution across Africa, where over 70% of daily waste is mismanaged. The review found that microplastics facilitate environmental consequences including metal toxicity in aquatic environments and enter the food chain, while also discussing the potential of bioplastics as a more sustainable alternative.
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.
An overview of the prevalence of micro- and nanoplastics in the Southern African development community: a potential risk to environmental and public health
This systematic review examined micro- and nanoplastic pollution across Southern Africa's freshwater systems. Rivers, lakes, and wetlands that communities depend on for drinking water and food production were found to be contaminated. Rapid urbanization and poor waste management are driving the problem, raising concerns about public health in the region.
Microplastics 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.
Microplastics Pollution: A Brief Review of Its Source and Abundance in Different Aquatic Ecosystems
This review summarizes what is known about microplastic sources and abundance across different aquatic ecosystems including rivers, lakes, and oceans. Researchers found that microplastics are pervasive across all water environments, with concentrations influenced by nearby human activities and pollution sources. The study identifies key pathways through which microplastics enter aquatic habitats and calls for standardized monitoring methods to better track contamination levels.