Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservation
Achieving upcycling and circularity in the microplastic economy predominantly depends on collecting and sorting plastic waste from the source to the end-user for resource conservation. Microplastics, whether from packaging or non-packaging materials, pose a significant environmental challenge as the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Toxicology Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750024002567 |
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| author | Gloria Ifeoma Ujuagu Onome Ejeromedoghene Victor Enwemiwe Chiamaka Linda Mgbechidinma Ahmed Olalekan Omoniyi Abiodun Oladipo Jintu Gu |
| author_facet | Gloria Ifeoma Ujuagu Onome Ejeromedoghene Victor Enwemiwe Chiamaka Linda Mgbechidinma Ahmed Olalekan Omoniyi Abiodun Oladipo Jintu Gu |
| author_sort | Gloria Ifeoma Ujuagu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Achieving upcycling and circularity in the microplastic economy predominantly depends on collecting and sorting plastic waste from the source to the end-user for resource conservation. Microplastics, whether from packaging or non-packaging materials, pose a significant environmental challenge as they are often not prioritized for collection or recycling initiatives. The presence of additives impedes the quality of plastic recyclates and the persistence of microplastics as shredded resultants remain a threat to the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem and its biodiversity. Despite the increasing global research on microplastics, the success of plastic and microplastic waste management in Africa is yet to be fully attained. Considering the improper disposal, limited recycling and upcycling intervention, lack of policy, and strict laws against plastic waste management defaulters, the ecosystems in Africa remain immensely impacted by several socio-ecological factors leading to the loss of aquatic organisms through reducing fertility and increasing stress. As a ripple consequence, the disruption of economic activities, toxic effects on animal/human health, and climate crisis are among their impact. This review therefore provides comprehensive detail of microplastic production and challenges in Africa, the toxicology concerns, socio-ecological issues associated with microplastic waste management, and insight into approaches to mitigate plastic pollution through recycling, upcycling, bioprocessing and their biodegradation with social insects and microorganisms which may form the basis for adoption by policymakers and researchers, thereby minimizing the consequences of plastic pollution in Africa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-20e44f576978467aa3f6d7db453e81c8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-7500 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxicology Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-20e44f576978467aa3f6d7db453e81c82025-01-04T04:56:26ZengElsevierToxicology Reports2214-75002025-06-0114101873Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservationGloria Ifeoma Ujuagu0Onome Ejeromedoghene1Victor Enwemiwe2Chiamaka Linda Mgbechidinma3Ahmed Olalekan Omoniyi4Abiodun Oladipo5Jintu Gu6Department of Sociology, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, ChinaCollege of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, ChinaDepartment of Animal and Environmental Biology, Delta State University, PMB 1, Abraka, NigeriaSchool of Life Sciences, Centre for Cell and Development Biology and State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China; Department of Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State 200243, NigeriaSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, PR ChinaCo-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210037, ChinaDepartment of Sociology, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China; Corresponding author.Achieving upcycling and circularity in the microplastic economy predominantly depends on collecting and sorting plastic waste from the source to the end-user for resource conservation. Microplastics, whether from packaging or non-packaging materials, pose a significant environmental challenge as they are often not prioritized for collection or recycling initiatives. The presence of additives impedes the quality of plastic recyclates and the persistence of microplastics as shredded resultants remain a threat to the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem and its biodiversity. Despite the increasing global research on microplastics, the success of plastic and microplastic waste management in Africa is yet to be fully attained. Considering the improper disposal, limited recycling and upcycling intervention, lack of policy, and strict laws against plastic waste management defaulters, the ecosystems in Africa remain immensely impacted by several socio-ecological factors leading to the loss of aquatic organisms through reducing fertility and increasing stress. As a ripple consequence, the disruption of economic activities, toxic effects on animal/human health, and climate crisis are among their impact. This review therefore provides comprehensive detail of microplastic production and challenges in Africa, the toxicology concerns, socio-ecological issues associated with microplastic waste management, and insight into approaches to mitigate plastic pollution through recycling, upcycling, bioprocessing and their biodegradation with social insects and microorganisms which may form the basis for adoption by policymakers and researchers, thereby minimizing the consequences of plastic pollution in Africa.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750024002567Microplastic pollutionToxicitySocio-ecology impactsPlastic recyclingBioplasticsPlastic upcycling |
| spellingShingle | Gloria Ifeoma Ujuagu Onome Ejeromedoghene Victor Enwemiwe Chiamaka Linda Mgbechidinma Ahmed Olalekan Omoniyi Abiodun Oladipo Jintu Gu Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservation Toxicology Reports Microplastic pollution Toxicity Socio-ecology impacts Plastic recycling Bioplastics Plastic upcycling |
| title | Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservation |
| title_full | Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservation |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservation |
| title_short | Exploring the toxicology, socio-ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in Africa: Potentials for resource conservation |
| title_sort | exploring the toxicology socio ecological impacts and biodegradation of microplastics in africa potentials for resource conservation |
| topic | Microplastic pollution Toxicity Socio-ecology impacts Plastic recycling Bioplastics Plastic upcycling |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750024002567 |
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