Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments in Africa: status and research opportunities

Abstract

The global demand of plastics has increased majorly because of their versatility, light weight, strength and cost-effectiveness. Africa is ranked top in mismanagement of plastics waste resulting to plastic problem in the environment. Nevertheless, plastics produce micro-plastics through degradation and fragmentation of plastic debris largely from anthropogenic sources. Micro-plastics have become ubiquitous in the natural environment and terrestrial environment is the major source. The propensity of micro-plastics to adsorb and concentrate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) provides potential health effects in the different tropical levels of organisms both in aquatic and territorial environments. Thus, the fate of micro-plastics is increasingly becoming a global concern. Despite the numerous global studies on the impact of micro-plastics in the environment, there is insufficient data available on the occurrence, distribution of micro-plastics and associated health effects in aquatic ecosystems in Africa. The reviewed research articles from 2000 – 2021 provide a summary of the current knowledge on the occurrence and distribution of micro-plastics, analytical approaches used to detect and quantify micro-plastics, associated health effects and mitigation measures through government policy to ban plastic use in Africa. The findings presented, provide a platform for future research to focus on the associated effects of adsorbed and concentrated persistent organic pollutants on micro-plastics in aquatic environments in Africa. With the evidence presented policy makers will make more informed decision on the future of plastics in Africa. We recommend improving information and expanding knowledge through research on the fate and potential ecological impact of micro-plastics in aquatic environments in Africa.