Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy

Obodo Kelechi Thank-God; Oloruntoba Omoladun Elizabeth; Adejumo Mumuni

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12

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Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy

Obodo Kelechi Thank-God

, Oloruntoba Omoladun Elizabeth

, Adejumo Mumuni^*

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 13, Issue 2)

Received: 15 April 2025 Accepted: 7 May 2025 Published: 16 June 2025

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Abstract

This study characterized macro litter and microplastics abundance in the Ogunpa River with the intimation for solid waste management and environmental policy. Types of plastics and anthropogenic activities around the sampling points were observed using an observational checklist. Water samples were collected from five sampling locations along Ogunpa River for eight weeks during the wet season while particulate fractions of plastic litter and water quality were determined using standard procedures. Water quality was compared with the limits recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation at p<0.05. Field observations revealed that indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes including plastics led to the high rate of plastic pollution in the river. A total of 3,569 macro litter and plastics were identified and categorized as: plastics (70%), metal (7%), paper/cardboard (5%), rags (4%), rubber (3%), glass/ceramics (4%), medical and agro-based waste (4%) and wood (3%). The mean microplastic was 45.0±0.8 particles/L (range = 32 to 60 particles/L) while the most common shapes found were fibers and fragments. The major polymer identified were polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, nylon, and polypropylene. Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) and Nitrate (mg/L) values were higher than the recommended limit by NESREA and WHO. A significant positive correlation existed between microplastic concentration in water and Total Suspended Solids. Microplastics were found in high concentration along Ogunpa River and human activities along the river could serve as a source of microplastic pollution. It is essential to raise public awareness of waste disposal and implement stricter waste management policies at the local communities.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 13, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12
Page(s)	43-55
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Microplastics, Ogunpa River, Wastewater Pollution, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

References

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Thank-God, O. K., Elizabeth, O. O., Mumuni, A. (2025). Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 13(2), 43-55. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12

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Thank-God, O. K.; Elizabeth, O. O.; Mumuni, A. Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2025, 13(2), 43-55. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12

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AMA Style

Thank-God OK, Elizabeth OO, Mumuni A. Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2025;13(2):43-55. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12,
  author = {Obodo Kelechi Thank-God and Oloruntoba Omoladun Elizabeth and Adejumo Mumuni},
  title = {Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy
},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {13},
  number = {2},
  pages = {43-55},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20251302.12},
  abstract = {This study characterized macro litter and microplastics abundance in the Ogunpa River with the intimation for solid waste management and environmental policy. Types of plastics and anthropogenic activities around the sampling points were observed using an observational checklist. Water samples were collected from five sampling locations along Ogunpa River for eight weeks during the wet season while particulate fractions of plastic litter and water quality were determined using standard procedures. Water quality was compared with the limits recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation at p<0.05. Field observations revealed that indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes including plastics led to the high rate of plastic pollution in the river. A total of 3,569 macro litter and plastics were identified and categorized as: plastics (70%), metal (7%), paper/cardboard (5%), rags (4%), rubber (3%), glass/ceramics (4%), medical and agro-based waste (4%) and wood (3%). The mean microplastic was 45.0±0.8 particles/L (range = 32 to 60 particles/L) while the most common shapes found were fibers and fragments. The major polymer identified were polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, nylon, and polypropylene. Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) and Nitrate (mg/L) values were higher than the recommended limit by NESREA and WHO. A significant positive correlation existed between microplastic concentration in water and Total Suspended Solids. Microplastics were found in high concentration along Ogunpa River and human activities along the river could serve as a source of microplastic pollution. It is essential to raise public awareness of waste disposal and implement stricter waste management policies at the local communities.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy

AU  - Obodo Kelechi Thank-God
AU  - Oloruntoba Omoladun Elizabeth
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
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EP  - 55
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12
AB  - This study characterized macro litter and microplastics abundance in the Ogunpa River with the intimation for solid waste management and environmental policy. Types of plastics and anthropogenic activities around the sampling points were observed using an observational checklist. Water samples were collected from five sampling locations along Ogunpa River for eight weeks during the wet season while particulate fractions of plastic litter and water quality were determined using standard procedures. Water quality was compared with the limits recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation at p<0.05. Field observations revealed that indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes including plastics led to the high rate of plastic pollution in the river. A total of 3,569 macro litter and plastics were identified and categorized as: plastics (70%), metal (7%), paper/cardboard (5%), rags (4%), rubber (3%), glass/ceramics (4%), medical and agro-based waste (4%) and wood (3%). The mean microplastic was 45.0±0.8 particles/L (range = 32 to 60 particles/L) while the most common shapes found were fibers and fragments. The major polymer identified were polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, nylon, and polypropylene. Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) and Nitrate (mg/L) values were higher than the recommended limit by NESREA and WHO. A significant positive correlation existed between microplastic concentration in water and Total Suspended Solids. Microplastics were found in high concentration along Ogunpa River and human activities along the river could serve as a source of microplastic pollution. It is essential to raise public awareness of waste disposal and implement stricter waste management policies at the local communities.

VL  - 13
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Author Information

Obodo Kelechi Thank-God

Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0009-0000-2502-7435
Oloruntoba Omoladun Elizabeth

Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6226-463X
Adejumo Mumuni

Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

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http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4797-7508

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Thank-God, O. K., Elizabeth, O. O., Mumuni, A. (2025). Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 13(2), 43-55. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12

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ACS Style

Thank-God, O. K.; Elizabeth, O. O.; Mumuni, A. Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2025, 13(2), 43-55. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12

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AMA Style

Thank-God OK, Elizabeth OO, Mumuni A. Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2025;13(2):43-55. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12,
  author = {Obodo Kelechi Thank-God and Oloruntoba Omoladun Elizabeth and Adejumo Mumuni},
  title = {Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy
},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {13},
  number = {2},
  pages = {43-55},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20251302.12},
  abstract = {This study characterized macro litter and microplastics abundance in the Ogunpa River with the intimation for solid waste management and environmental policy. Types of plastics and anthropogenic activities around the sampling points were observed using an observational checklist. Water samples were collected from five sampling locations along Ogunpa River for eight weeks during the wet season while particulate fractions of plastic litter and water quality were determined using standard procedures. Water quality was compared with the limits recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation at p<0.05. Field observations revealed that indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes including plastics led to the high rate of plastic pollution in the river. A total of 3,569 macro litter and plastics were identified and categorized as: plastics (70%), metal (7%), paper/cardboard (5%), rags (4%), rubber (3%), glass/ceramics (4%), medical and agro-based waste (4%) and wood (3%). The mean microplastic was 45.0±0.8 particles/L (range = 32 to 60 particles/L) while the most common shapes found were fibers and fragments. The major polymer identified were polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, nylon, and polypropylene. Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) and Nitrate (mg/L) values were higher than the recommended limit by NESREA and WHO. A significant positive correlation existed between microplastic concentration in water and Total Suspended Solids. Microplastics were found in high concentration along Ogunpa River and human activities along the river could serve as a source of microplastic pollution. It is essential to raise public awareness of waste disposal and implement stricter waste management policies at the local communities.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Characterization of Macro Litter and Microplastics Abundance in the Ogunpa River, Ibadan: Intimation for Solid Waste Management and Environmental Policy

AU  - Obodo Kelechi Thank-God
AU  - Oloruntoba Omoladun Elizabeth
AU  - Adejumo Mumuni
Y1  - 2025/06/16
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 43
EP  - 55
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251302.12
AB  - This study characterized macro litter and microplastics abundance in the Ogunpa River with the intimation for solid waste management and environmental policy. Types of plastics and anthropogenic activities around the sampling points were observed using an observational checklist. Water samples were collected from five sampling locations along Ogunpa River for eight weeks during the wet season while particulate fractions of plastic litter and water quality were determined using standard procedures. Water quality was compared with the limits recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation at p<0.05. Field observations revealed that indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes including plastics led to the high rate of plastic pollution in the river. A total of 3,569 macro litter and plastics were identified and categorized as: plastics (70%), metal (7%), paper/cardboard (5%), rags (4%), rubber (3%), glass/ceramics (4%), medical and agro-based waste (4%) and wood (3%). The mean microplastic was 45.0±0.8 particles/L (range = 32 to 60 particles/L) while the most common shapes found were fibers and fragments. The major polymer identified were polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, nylon, and polypropylene. Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) and Nitrate (mg/L) values were higher than the recommended limit by NESREA and WHO. A significant positive correlation existed between microplastic concentration in water and Total Suspended Solids. Microplastics were found in high concentration along Ogunpa River and human activities along the river could serve as a source of microplastic pollution. It is essential to raise public awareness of waste disposal and implement stricter waste management policies at the local communities.

VL  - 13
IS  - 2
ER  -

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