Preliminary Investigation of Microplastics in Roadside Soils of Port Harcourt and Elele in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the occurrence of microplastics in roadside soils in Port Harcourt and Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria. Topsoil samples were collected from three major road networks in Rivers State (Port Harcourt city internal roads, Port Harcourt to Elele Road, and Elele to Owerri road). Microplastics were extracted from the samples using density separation and quantified via microscopy. Microplastic abundances in the samples ranged from 3 particles/50 gram - 20 particles/50 gram. The highest number of microplastic particles were found on roads with the highest traffic density. Secondary microplastics were most abundant in the samples as fragments constituted 69% of the total plastics and made up 67%, 73% and 70% of Port Harcourt internal roads, Port Harcourt to Elele road and Elele to Owerri road, respectively. This study presents baseline data on microplastics in roadside soils in an urban Nigerian city and highlights the contribution of road traffic and vehicles to both terrestrial and aquatic microplastics as well as the need for routine monitoring in order to mitigate plastic pollution.