IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RJPST )

E-ISSN 2579-0536
P-ISSN 2695-2696
VOL. 7 NO. 5 2024
DOI: 10.56201/rjpst.v7.no5.2024.pg9.21

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Assessing Concentrations of Microplastics as Emerging Environmental Pollutants, A Case Study of Otuoke River

Isaac U. Isaac

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Abstract

This study looks into characteristics, seasonal variations, and spatial distribution of microplastic concentrations in sediment and surface water along the Otuoke River in Nigeria's Niger Delta. Samples were taken every month at three specific locations (STA-1, STA-2, and STA-3) for a six- month period from December 2022 to May 2023. Microplastics in surface water and sediments were sampled following standard procedures. A long hollow and cylindrical sampling apparatus (approximately 6L) was employed in the sampling of surface water microplastics and samples obtained were subsequently allowed to pass through a 50µm steel sieve where the microplastics collected alongside the water were trapped and subjected to further analysis. Samples of collected sediment were transferred to the chemical laboratory, where density floatation and hydrogen peroxide digestion techniques were used to extract microplastics from sediment matrices. The samples were then analyzed for microplastic abundance, shape, and composition. The separated microplastics were examined for number, type, size, and color via a dissecting microscope, In the dry and wet seasons, the mean microplastic concentrations in surface water (MCPW) ranged from 15 to 32 particles L?¹, whereas in sediment (MCPS), they ranged from 102 to 346.4 particles kg?¹. No significant spatial variability was found among the locations (P > 0.05) according to statistical analysis; however, seasonal changes indicated significantly greater concentrations during the dry season (P < 0.05). MCPS samples were consistently greater than MCPW, suggesting that sediments serve as sinks for these contaminants. The primary microplastic types observed were fragments and fibers, suggesting inputs from local garbage and textile products. The results emphasize the necessity of enhanced waste management and continuous monitoring to reduce microplastic pollution in this environmentally sensitive region.

keywords:

Microplastics, Otuoke River, spatial and seasonal variation

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