Work

Global Plastic Pollution and the Nigerian Dimensions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Plastic pollution has surged from 1.5 million tons produced in the 1950s to 335 million tons in 2016, with 9–23 million metric tons entering aquatic systems annually. This review examines plastic pollution’s characteristics—diversity, persistence, and combined effects with other contaminants—and its geophysical and biological impacts globally, complemented by a case study on Nigeria. Plastics disrupt carbon and nutrient cycles and threaten over 900 marine species via ingestion and entanglement. In Nigeria, sachet water and poor waste management contribute 0.13–0.34 million tons to oceans yearly, ranking it ninth globally, undermining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like health (SDG 3), water quality (SDG 6), and marine life (SDG 14). Solutions include legislation, education, and improved infrastructure, tailored to Nigeria’s context. This paper fills gaps by addressing macro- and nanoplastics, terrestrial systems, and Nigeria’s unique challenges, urging region-specific strategies for this poorly reversible pollutant.

Source: Journal of Geography Environment and Earth Science International

DOI: 10.9734/jgeesi/2025/v29i3871

Authors: OSENI SHAMUSIDEEN O., NIYOKWEZIRA FELIX, DE-SOUZA RAPHAEL

Institution: Tongji University

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4408621393

FWCI:

Cites:

Cited by:

Related to: 10