Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of creeks along the Kenyan coast, Western Indian Ocean (WIO)

Microplastic pollution has been recognized as a global threat in marine environments and danger to prey, predators humans. Yet there have limited studies the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) along Kenyan coast making it difficult estimate extent of such pollution. This is first study on microplastics (MPs) surface waters within creeks (Tudor, Port-Reitz Mida creeks) Kenya. Sampling was done January/ February September 2018 collect from water. Neuston nets 500 μm (large) 250 (medium) size were towed for ten minutes 50 litres seawater sieved through 20 net (small) three replicates. The samples digested 10 % Potassium Hydroxide, sieved, then filtered with cellulose nitrate membrane microfilters. Concentrations total microplastics, different shapes colours established under microscope. High concentrations small (20-250 μm) MPs encountered Tudor Port Reitz had higher compared Creek. provides data microplastic recommends focussing monitoring purposes, which due their high can be hazardous organisms.