Microplastics Load Investigation of Some Fishes from Selected Nigerian Coastal Rivers

Abstract

Microplastics Pollution (Mp) has become an alarming environmental issue globally. Microplastics load of some fish samples from selected Nigerian Coastal Rivers were investigated. This study was carried out using samples of Silver Catfish, Tilapia, African Catfish and African Knifefish samples, all from Bonny, Qua Iboe, Forcados, Oluwa, Imo and Benin Riversrespectively, and divided into seven groups. The gastrointestinal tract tissues of triplicate organisms after being dissolved with potassium hydroxide and oven dried, were examined with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Result showed 100% microplastics load in all fish organisms studied, although the loads varied by organism and sampling location, with an average of 2.89±1.15Mp particle /fish. The microplastics observed that were predominant were fibres (92.03%) and microbeads (4.21%), and they were mostly brown in colour, and mostly less than 2 milimeters in size. Polystyrene (83.50%) and polypropylene (8.44%) polymers were dominant in the fish samples. The result also reveals Silver Catfish, with a microplastic load of 8.00±1.00 Mp particle / fish as showing a higher potential for accumulating microplastics than other fish organisms studied in this research. The highlight of this research is that, the human health impacts of the consumption of these fish organisms polluted by microplastics may have serious consequences. Therefore, immediate steps must be taken to address the alarming spread of Microplastics in Nigerian coastal rivers. It is being recommended here that, microplastics pollutions should be studied on more aquatic lives.