Microplastics in Kenya's marine nearshore surface waters: Current status

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113710
• Publication Date: 2022-05-05T11:31:39Z
• Authors: Charles Mitto Kosore; Loice Ojwang; Justin Maghanga; Joseph Kamau; Daniel Shilla; Gert Everaert; Farhan R. Khan; Yvonne Shashoua
• Keywords: Polypropylene; High-density polyethylene; Marine debris; Low-density polyethylene; Sieve (category theory)

Microplastics (MPs) were collected at six locations along Kenya's marine nearshore surface waters using a 300 μm mesh-size manta net. The samples were washed over a 125-μm mesh size sieve No.120 into a glass jar and preserved in 70% ethanol. MPs were sorted, counted visually under a dissecting microscope then identified using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. A total of 1473 particles with an overall mean concentration of 0.58 ± 1.29 MPs m-3, were collected. Fragments were the most common types representing 55% of the total MPs, followed by films (40%) and fibers (2%). Polypropylene (PP) was dominant (52%), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) comprised 38% and low density polyethylene (LDPE) 10% of the total MPs. This study provided baseline information, in which Malindi was identified as a hot spot for MPs pollution. Furthermore, the outcomes will assist policy formulations and management strategies aimed at controlling marine plastics.