Occurrence of microplastics in wild oysters (Crassostrea tulipa) from the Gulf of Guinea and their potential human exposure

Samuel Addo, Charles Mario Boateng, Rhoda Lims Diyie, Collins Prah Duodu, Anyan Kofi Ferni, Ernestina Abbew Williams, Akosua Ohemaa Amakye, Obed Asamoah, Harriet Danso -Abbeam, Elvis Nyarko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The high dependence on plastics in Ghana has resulted in the generation of large quantities of plastic waste which are poorly managed and improperly disposed into the aquatic environments. This study assessed the spatial distribution and abundance of microplastics in mangrove oysters (Crassostrea tulipa): a major fishery resource of commercial importance in Ghana. The results showed that 84.0% of all individuals examined had ingested microplastics. A total of 276 microplastic items were recovered from the 120 individual oysters. Densu (100%) and Volta (93%), two estuaries situated in urban areas, had a greater incidence of microplastics than Whin (77%) and Nakwa (66%), estuaries situated in peri-urban and rural settlements, respectively. The mean microplastic abundance ranged from 1.4 to 3.4 items/individual and 0.34 to 1.7 items/g tissue wet weight. Fiber accounted for 69% of microplastic shapes, followed by fragments (27%) and films (4%). Polymer analysis showed polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) as the most common types in oysters. The estimated microplastic intake per capita per year was one magnitude higher than the mean for other countries. This high rate of human exposure to microplastics requires an eminent policy formulation to guide the use, management and disposal of plastic waste in Ghana.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12255
JournalHeliyon
Volume8
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Keywords

  • Fibers
  • Human exposure
  • Microplastics
  • Oysters
  • Polymer

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