Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Microplastics pollution in terrestrial ecosystems of Africa: current knowledge, challenges, and building collaborative research networks

Tchiechoua Yh, Rillig Mc

Microplastics and Nanoplastics · 2025

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Summary

This narrative review examines the current state of microplastics research in African terrestrial ecosystems, highlighting a substantial evidence gap compared with aquatic ecosystem research and international studies. The authors propose a collaborative research framework to strengthen capacity among African scientists and institutions for investigating microplastics contamination and its effects on terrestrial systems across the continent.

UK applicability

Whilst focused on Africa, the paper's call for strengthened research networks and systematic monitoring of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems may inform UK research priorities and international collaborative approaches to understanding microplastics persistence and effects in soils and agricultural systems.

Key measures

Not specified in abstract; likely a literature review synthesising existing microplastics data from terrestrial ecosystems

Outcomes reported

The study positions microplastics research in Africa within the global research landscape for terrestrial ecosystems and identifies knowledge gaps. It proposes a framework for developing research networks among African scientists and international institutional collaborations to address microplastics contamination in African terrestrial systems.

Theme
Farming systems, soils & land use
Subject
Pesticides, contaminants & food safety
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Other
DOI
10.1186/s43591-025-00122-z
Catalogue ID
BFmor3gbco-u068ym

Topic tags

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