Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Surface Water and Sediments of Otammiri River, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the physicochemical and heavy metal status and also quantified microplastics from Otammiri River, Imo state, Nigeria. The physicochemical and heavy metal analysis were carried out using procedures of Federal Environmental Protection Agency. The quantification of the microplastics from Otammiri River was carried out according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) protocol for surface water trawling for microplastics. The microplastics quantified in this study were at the range of 0.3 mm to 5mm that were resistance to wet oxidation and exhibited flotation in a 5M NaCl. The result of the physicochemical parameters showed that the parameters were within the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEV) permissible limits with exception to lead and mercury. The microplastics concentrations at the surface water of Otammiri River was between 0.12 g to 2.50 g and in sediments samples, between 0.01 g to 1.37 g.