ASSESSMENT OF MICROPLASTIC CONTAMINATION IN ELEPHANT SNOUT FISH (Mormyrus rume) FROM IKPOBA RIVER, BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

This study investigates the presence and abundance of microplastic contamination in a commercially important fish species, Mormyrus rume from Ikpoba River Benin City. A total of sixteen samples of Mormyrus rume (n=16) were collected from three designated stations along the river with the help of artisanal fishermen. The fish samples were then dissected for Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) removal. The Gastrointestinal Tract was digested for microplastic extraction and density gradient techniques were used to isolate microplastic. The polymer composition of microplastic was confirmed using Attenuated Total Reflectance- Fourier Transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The result showed that samples from station 3 had the highest microplastic contamination, with an abundance of 40.53% while samples from station 1 had the least with an abundance of 26.63%. A total of eight plastic polymers were identified, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The polymer count was recorded in an increasing order of PET>PP>PA>PE>PS>PU>PC>PVC across all the stations. This study confirms the presence and abundance of microplastics in fish samples and indicate that fish from the river may pose human health risks to consumers due to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The findings emphasize the need for better waste management practices, public awareness and improved urban drainage systems.