Microplastics contamination of fish from the Creeks along the Kenya coast, western Indian Ocean (WIO)
Ombongi, J., N., M., Robertson- Andersson, D., M, O., N, K. (2021). Microplastics contamination of fish from the Creeks along the Kenya coast, western Indian Ocean (WIO). EKB Journal Management System, 17(1), 297-319. doi: 10.21608/ajbs.2021.212176
Joyce Kerubo Ombongi; Muthumbi A.W N.; Deborah Robertson- Andersson; Onyari J. M; Kimani E. N. "Microplastics contamination of fish from the Creeks along the Kenya coast, western Indian Ocean (WIO)". EKB Journal Management System, 17, 1, 2021, 297-319. doi: 10.21608/ajbs.2021.212176
Ombongi, J., N., M., Robertson- Andersson, D., M, O., N, K. (2021). 'Microplastics contamination of fish from the Creeks along the Kenya coast, western Indian Ocean (WIO)', EKB Journal Management System, 17(1), pp. 297-319. doi: 10.21608/ajbs.2021.212176
Ombongi, J., N., M., Robertson- Andersson, D., M, O., N, K. Microplastics contamination of fish from the Creeks along the Kenya coast, western Indian Ocean (WIO). EKB Journal Management System, 2021; 17(1): 297-319. doi: 10.21608/ajbs.2021.212176

Microplastics contamination of fish from the Creeks along the Kenya coast, western Indian Ocean (WIO)

African Journal of Biological Sciences
Article 22, Volume 17, Issue 1, 2021, Page 297-319  XML PDF (1.04 MB)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/ajbs.2021.212176
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Authors
Joyce Kerubo Ombongi email orcid 1; Muthumbi A.W N.2; Deborah Robertson- Andersson3; Onyari J. M4; Kimani E. N5
1University of Nairobi
2Faculty of Science and Technology, Univ. of Nairobi, P O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
3School of Life Sciences, Univ. of KwaZulu-Natal, P.O. Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa.
4Faculty of Science and Technology, Univ. of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
5Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), P.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya.
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a global threat to marine life, but information available on the extent of pollution along the Kenya Indian ocean coast is absent. Ingestion of MPs by five common pelagic fish from the region was investigated in this study. Fish tissues were digested in 10 % potassium Hydroxide (KOH) at 60 °C for 14 hours and the MPs were separated by floatation method using supersaturated Sodium Chloride (NaCl) solution. The benthic fish studied (Acanthopagrus berda had a mean of 0.48 ± 0.06 MPs per gram (g-1) tissue, Gerres oyena 0.20 ± 0.02, Terapon jarbua0.20 ± 0.06) had higher MPs contamination compared to the pelagic (Rastrelligerkanagurta0.054 ± 0.011) and reef fish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis0.038 ± 0.009) reflecting the influence of habits and habitat on MPs contamination in fish. Fish caught in the second sampling had higher MPs contamination compared to the first and fish from Mida Creek had higher MPs contamination compared to those from Tudor and Port-Reitz probably because they were mainly benthic fish. Gut and gills of all species contained significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than the flesh. Thus, we recommend that fish be gutted and thoroughly clean the gills before cooking to reduce MPs contamination. There is need for further research to evaluate the risk posed to humans by the consumption of marine water fish that ingested microplastics
Keywords
Microplastic contamination; fish; Creeks; Western Indian Ocean Kenya Coast
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