Micro Plastic Challenges in River Delimi Due to Its Interaction with Physicochemical Parameters

Abstract

Physicochemical interaction with micro plastic at River Delimi represents one of the most pressing threats to water and plant resources as it is a challenge to human health. Micro plastics in the food chain constitutes a major threat to water, soil and plants which affect food safety, it affects public health when consuming products that have this pollutant, such as fruits, and vegetables. Micro plastics (MPs) are tiny particles broken down from larger pieces of plastics, accumulated in River Delimi. This study aimed at assessing the physicochemical parameters (Cd, Zn, Co, Pb and Ni) in water and (Ba, Ce, Rb, La, Nd, Ta, Sm, Sc and Th) while mercury and silver show high concentration (Hg, Ag) plants as it interaction with micro plastics (majorly polyethylene terephthalate (PET) concentration and plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC both dry and rainy season)in the study area, along Rivers Delimi in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. Water and plant samples were collected from six (6) different irrigation sites in the area, namely Delimi village, Delimi area, Marhaba Masjd, Malam Adamu and Tudun Wada along the River Delimi, Barakin Kogi, and Baraki Naraguta along River Bonga, contain micro particles in edible plants due to the contamination of water-irrigated soils and methods to determine them. The negative effect of micro plastics on various food products and their interaction with physicochemical properties especially heavy metals impact on the environment is determined. Samples were analyzed to determine the concentration of the physicochemical parameters using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Micro plastic are carriers for physicochemical parameters and exhibit diverse interactive effects, these interactions are poorly understood especially how they pose risks on living organisms. The challenges of their combined toxic effects and the potential hazards to human health were also discussed. Results show that the concentration of the physicochemical parameters in water as electrical conductivity, hydrocabonate, chloride, sodium carcium, chromium and lead while plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC) both dry and rainy season, in river Delimi and river Bonga were pronounce. In plants potassium, phosphorus, molybdenum, manganese, mercury and silver were also high.