Characterization of Microplastics polymer from the water and sediment of Upper River Benue, at Yola Metropolis, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study presents pilot assessment of microplastics identification and characterization of different polymer classes in water and sediments from the Upper River Benue at Yola metropolis. Sampling was carried out for fourteen consecutives months at every first week of the month from February, 2025 to April, 2026. Water samples were collected in triplicates into a re-cleaned 1 L amber bottles at each of the sampling site. Sediment samples were obtained using an Ekman sediment grab. Three small portions (up to 500 g each) of the sediments were taken at each sampling site and put into an aluminium foil bags. Polymer differentiation was achieved using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The result indicates prevalence of polypropylene (PP), polyamide (nylon), polyester (PES) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The study demonstrate the presences of microplastics and the difference classes of polymer contamination in Upper River Benue at Yola metropolis and hence raises critical concerns about local fish population vulnerability to microplastics pollution.