By Dosu Deborah Oluwatimilehin (SIWES student, Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Eruwa)
A recent investigation led by researchers from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, has revealed alarming levels of microplastic contamination in the Osun River, located in Southwest Nigeria.
The study, headed by Dr. Gideon Idowu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at FUTA, found unprecedented concentrations of microplastics in samples collected from the river.
With counts ranging from 193.2 to 23,229.6 pieces per liter, the findings underscore a severe plastic pollution crisis in the river, posing significant threats to both the environment and human health.
Dr. Idowu’s team, supported by the Jennifer Ward Oppenheimer (JWO) grant awarded in late 2021, expanded its scope to engage over 20 scientists from nine African universities.
Collaborative efforts from institutions such as the University of Cape Town, the University of Pretoria, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal enabled a comprehensive analysis of microplastic pollution in the Osun River, situating it as one of the most heavily plastic-polluted rivers globally.
The JWO research project, initiated around two years ago, has scrutinized microplastic and endocrine-disrupting contaminants across Africa’s aquatic ecosystems.
Spanning 19 countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania, the project’s findings have shed light on the pervasive nature of microplastic pollution, urging immediate action to mitigate its impact.
Published in Elsevier’s Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances, the team’s seminal paper, titled Microplastic pollution assessment of the Osun River basin, South-West Nigeria, delineated the staggering levels of microplastic contamination, prompting urgent interventions to safeguard waterways across the continent.
Beyond pollution assessment, the JWO project has delved into the ramifications of microplastics on freshwater and marine life.
Discoveries indicating the potential transfer of contaminants up the food chain and behavioral alterations in aquatic organisms have underscored the need for rigorous scrutiny of microplastic exposure’s health implications.
Advocating a multi-faceted approach to combat microplastic pollution, the research team has advocated for legislative reforms, industrial innovation, and public awareness campaigns.
Emphasizing the imperative of improved waste management, enhanced recycling infrastructure, and reduced single-use plastic consumption, the researchers advocate a collective effort to mitigate the burgeoning threat posed by microplastics to the environment and human health.
