Microplastics Research in Africa: A Bibliometric Exploration of Trends, Influencers, and Influential Themes

The impact of microplastics is profound, with repercussions for both marine and terrestrial ecosystems globally. In the African environment, the study of microplastics holds particular significance due to the continent's rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. In this study, the trajectory of microplastics research in Africa within the past decade was explored, employing a bibliometric analysis facilitated by the Scopus database. It was revealed that a total of 697 publications have been published on the subject of microplastics in the African ecosystems from 2014 to 2023. The analysis further revealed an increase in research output, peaking at 211 publications in 2023, signalling heightened global awareness and commitment to studying microplastics in Africa. English predominates in 694 out of 697 publications, emphasizing global resonance. Top authors contributing to microplastics research in Africa, featuring both African and non-African scholars with commendable h-indices, populate this network, emphasizing the collaborative and diversified nature of efforts addressing microplastics challenges in Africa. The trajectory of citations exhibits a notable increase, reaching a pinnacle of 4119 in 2023. South Africa leads the top 20 countries, contributing significantly with 3876 total citations and an average of 29.58, reflecting the country’s commitment to understanding and addressing microplastics challenges. The insights presented in this chapter serve as a compass for navigating the future trajectory of microplastics research in Africa, steering it towards impactful and sustainable contributions to global environmental science.