Sources and Environmental Distribution of Microplastics in Nigeria

Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments <5 mm in size that form from the disintegration of plastic materials over a long period through biological and physicochemical processes and ultraviolet rays of the sun. These tiny particles are nondegradable and cause environmental and health concerns to humans and animals when ingested. The Nigerian ecosystems have been affected by microplastics that occur in surface water, sediments, and in the digestive system of marine organisms. This chapter analyzes previous studies on microplastics in Nigeria to better understand their main sources and distribution across the six regions of the country. Across Nigeria, microplastics were observed to be generated from six main sectors: (1) manufacturing industries, (2) medical institutions, (3) the agricultural sector, (4) households, (5) paints and coatings, and (6) public event centers. In Nigeria, microplastics are introduced into the environment through untreated effluent from manufacturing companies as well as from waste and wastewater treatment plants which are released into water bodies. They are also introduced to the ecosystem through film mulching and fertilizers from farmlands and poor disposal of single-use plastics from event centers. From this study, it was observed that there is an abundance of microplastics in southern Nigeria compared to the northern region. This could be due to the presence of numerous industries, topographic factors, and the interconnected dendritic drainage patterns that connect rivers and facilitate the distribution of microplastics. More studies are needed in the northern part to understand the impact of microplastics across the region. An understanding of the various sources of microplastics would enable an effective mitigation process.