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Boateng CM, Addo S, Duodu CP, Danso-Abbeam H, Agyeman PC, Anyan KF, Asamoah EK, Blankson ER, Nyarko E, Matsuoka A. Microplastics in the Volta Lake: Occurrence, distribution, and human health implications. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29041. [PMID: 38596133 PMCID: PMC11002670 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Pollution of plastic waste in aquatic ecosystems in Ghana is of significant concern with potential adverse effects on food safety and ecosystem function. This study examined the abundance and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater biota samples namely: the African river prawn (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii), the Volta clam (Galatea paradoxa), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and sediment from the Volta Lake. Both biota and sediment samples were subjected to microscopic identification and FTIR analysis. In biota samples, the highest mean microplastic abundance of 4.7 ± 2.1 items per individual was found in the prawn, while the Nile tilapia recorded the least (2.8 ± 0.6 items per individual). A total of 398 microplastic particles were observed in sediment samples from the Volta Lake. Microfibers were the major plastic shapes identified in biota and sediment samples. We examined the relationship between microplastic abundance, biota size, and sediment properties. Despite the lack of statistical significance, microplastic shape, size, and polymer composition in assessed organisms mirrored those in the benthic sediment. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and polystyrene were the four dominant polymer types identified in the organisms and sediments. Although the estimated human exposure was relatively low compared with studies from other regions of the world, the presence of microplastics raises concern for the safety of fisheries products consumed by the general populace in the country. This research is essential for developing effective mitigation measures and tackling the wider effects of microplastic contamination on Ghana's freshwater ecosystems, particularly the Volta Lake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Mario Boateng
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, University of New Hampshire, USA
| | - Samuel Addo
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Collins Prah Duodu
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Harriet Danso-Abbeam
- Environmental Research Resource Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Kofi Ferni Anyan
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - Elvis Nyarko
- Regional Maritime University, Post Office Box GP 1115, Accra, Ghana
| | - Atsushi Matsuoka
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
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Adofo YK, Nyankson E, Agyei-Tuffour B, Amoako C, Duodu CP, Gbogbo S, Saalia FK. Chicken Feather Protein Dispersant for Effective Crude Oil Dispersion in the Marine Environment. ACS Omega 2023; 8:34948-34958. [PMID: 37780021 PMCID: PMC10536068 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Various studies report that aside from the adverse impact of the crude oil on the marine environment, there is the likelihood that chemical dispersants used on the surface of water as oil-treating agents themselves possess a degree of toxicity, which have additional effects on the environment. To eliminate the subject of toxicity, there exist several materials in nature that have the ability to form good emulsions, and such products include protein molecules. In this study, chicken feathers which are known to contain ≥90% protein were used to formulate a novel dispersant to disperse crude oil in seawater (35 ppt). Protein from chicken feathers was extracted and synthesized into the chicken feather protein (CFP) dispersant using deionized water as a solvent. Emulsions formed from CFP-synthesized dispersants were stable over a considerably long period of time, whereas the droplet sizes of the emulsion formed were on the average very small in diameter, making droplet coalescence very slow. The CFP dispersants exhibited moderate surface and interfacial activity at normal seawater salinity. Using the US EPA's baffled flask test, at 800 and 1000 mg/ml CFP surfactant-to-oil ratios, dispersion effectiveness values of 56.92 and 68.64 vol % were obtained, respectively, which show that CFP has a great potential in crude oil dispersion. Moreover, the acute toxicity test performed on Nile tilapia showed that CFP was practically nontoxic with an LC50 value of more than 100 mg/L after 96 h of exposure. The results obtained showed that the CFP dispersant is environmentally friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaw Kwakye Adofo
- Material
Science and Engineering Department, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra LG 77, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Nyankson
- Material
Science and Engineering Department, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra LG 77, Ghana
| | - Benjamin Agyei-Tuffour
- Material
Science and Engineering Department, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra LG 77, Ghana
| | - Christian Amoako
- Material
Science and Engineering Department, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra LG 77, Ghana
| | - Collins Prah Duodu
- Department
of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra LG 77, Ghana
| | - Selassie Gbogbo
- Material
Science and Engineering Department, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra LG 77, Ghana
| | - Firibu K. Saalia
- Department
of Food Process Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra LG 77, Ghana
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Obirikorang KA, Appiah-Kubi R, Adjei-Boateng D, Sekey W, Duodu CP. Acute hyperthermia and hypoxia tolerance of two improved strains of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Stress Biol 2023; 3:21. [PMID: 37676332 PMCID: PMC10441896 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-023-00099-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Tilapia production in Ghana has been hit with episodes of stress and pathogen-induced mass fish kills which have anecdotally been linked to the culture of illegally imported Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) strains of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. This study was thus set up to comprehensively assess the stress tolerance of the GIFT strain and a native strain of Nile tilapia (the Akosombo strain) following exposures to hyperthermic and hypoxic stressors. In a series of experiments, oxygen consumption (MO2), aquatic surface respiration (ASR), thermal limits and hypoxia tolerance were assessed. The effects of these stressors on haematological parameters were also assessed. The GIFT strain was less tolerant of hypoxia and performed ASR at higher O2 levels than the Akosombo strain. Under progressive hypoxia, the GIFT strain exhibited higher gill ventilations frequencies (fV) than the Akosombo strain. The thermal tolerance trial indicated that the Akosombo strain of O. niloticus has higher thermotolerance than the GIFT strain and this was reflective in the higher LT50 (45.1℃) and LTmax (48℃), compared to LT50 and LTmax of 41.5℃ and 46℃ respectively. These results imply that it is crucial to consider how the GIFT strain performs under various environmental conditions and changes during culture. Particularly, raising the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia in earthen ponds rich in phytoplankton and subject to protracted episodes of extreme hypoxia may have a detrimental physiological impact on its growth and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwasi Adu Obirikorang
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, University Post Office, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Richard Appiah-Kubi
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, University Post Office, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Daniel Adjei-Boateng
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, University Post Office, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Wonder Sekey
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, University Post Office, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Collins Prah Duodu
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Addo S, Boateng CM, Diyie RL, Duodu CP, Ferni AK, Williams EA, Amakye AO, Asamoah O, Danso -Abbeam H, Nyarko E. Occurrence of microplastics in wild oysters ( Crassostrea tulipa) from the Gulf of Guinea and their potential human exposure. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12255. [PMID: 36568671 PMCID: PMC9768316 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The high dependence on plastics in Ghana has resulted in the generation of large quantities of plastic waste which are poorly managed and improperly disposed into the aquatic environments. This study assessed the spatial distribution and abundance of microplastics in mangrove oysters (Crassostrea tulipa): a major fishery resource of commercial importance in Ghana. The results showed that 84.0% of all individuals examined had ingested microplastics. A total of 276 microplastic items were recovered from the 120 individual oysters. Densu (100%) and Volta (93%), two estuaries situated in urban areas, had a greater incidence of microplastics than Whin (77%) and Nakwa (66%), estuaries situated in peri-urban and rural settlements, respectively. The mean microplastic abundance ranged from 1.4 to 3.4 items/individual and 0.34 to 1.7 items/g tissue wet weight. Fiber accounted for 69% of microplastic shapes, followed by fragments (27%) and films (4%). Polymer analysis showed polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) as the most common types in oysters. The estimated microplastic intake per capita per year was one magnitude higher than the mean for other countries. This high rate of human exposure to microplastics requires an eminent policy formulation to guide the use, management and disposal of plastic waste in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Addo
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99. Accra, Ghana
| | - Charles Mario Boateng
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99. Accra, Ghana
- Corresponding author.
| | - Rhoda Lims Diyie
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI), P. O. Box AH 38, Accra, Ghana
| | - Collins Prah Duodu
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99. Accra, Ghana
| | - Anyan Kofi Ferni
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99. Accra, Ghana
| | - Ernestina Abbew Williams
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99. Accra, Ghana
| | - Akosua Ohemaa Amakye
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 99. Accra, Ghana
| | - Obed Asamoah
- University of Development Studies, P. O. Box TL 1350, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Harriet Danso -Abbeam
- Environmental Resources Research Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Post Office Box LG 80, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Elvis Nyarko
- Regional Maritime University, Post Office Box GP 1115, Accra, Ghana
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Obirikorang PA, Campion BB, Edziyie RE, Duodu CP, Adjei-Boateng D. Effects of oilseed meals on pellet characteristics, faecal matter production, postprandial ammonia and phosphorus excretion rates in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Journal of Applied Animal Research 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2020.1840382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Animah Obirikorang
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Benjamin Betey Campion
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Regina Esi Edziyie
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Collins Prah Duodu
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Daniel Adjei-Boateng
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Obirikorang KA, Acheampong JN, Duodu CP, Skov PV. Growth, metabolism and respiration in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to chronic or periodic hypoxia. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2020; 248:110768. [PMID: 32679266 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tropical earthen ponds for extensive aquaculture are characterised by daily fluctuations in the availability of dissolved oxygen in the water. Primary production during the daytime ensures excess oxygen availability with oxygen partial pressures (pO2) exceeding 220 mmHg, while nocturnal respiration of fish, plankton and bacteria leads to nightly episodes of severe hypoxia (pO2 < 20 mmHg), often persisting for several hours. To investigate how oxygen availability affects feeding, growth, digestive performance, metabolism and behaviour in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a series of experiments were conducted under different oxygen regimes. To assess growth performance, triplicate groups of fish were held either under constant normoxia (pO2 17.4 ± 0.4 kPa), constant hypoxia (pO2 8.1 ± 0.6 kPa), or diel-cycling between normoxia (pO2 17.1 ± 0.6 kPa from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and severe nocturnal hypoxia (0.4 ± 1.0 kPa from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Chronic hypoxia led to significant affected feed intake and FCR, compared to the normoxic group, whereas nocturnal hypoxia was associated with a compensatory increase in appetite later in the day. Overall, this resulted in a significant increased feed intake compared to the normoxic group. Interestingly, exposure of fish to 6-h nocturnal hypoxia (diel-cycling hypoxia) for 9 weeks resulted in the best growth performance indicators among the treatment groups. Respirometry showed that tilapia respond to nocturnal hypoxia by metabolic depression, allowing them to return to normoxia with a modest oxygen debt. Behavioural observations revealed that aquatic surface respiration is employed when pO2 approaches 2.1 kPa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwasi Adu Obirikorang
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Johnmark Nyame Acheampong
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Collins Prah Duodu
- Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Peter Vilhelm Skov
- Technical University of Denmark, DTU Aqua, Section for Aquaculture, The North Sea Research Centre, DK-9850 Hirtshals, Denmark.
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