Gilbert Nyabochwa Atuga
Other projects
25 Jul 2017
Mwache Mangrove Forest Regeneration: Integrated Approach to Restore Mangrove Habitat I
4 Jun 2019
Mwache Mangrove Forest Regeneration: Integrated Approach to Restore Mangrove Habitat II
Plastic waste in our ocean is estimated to be between 75 to 199 million tonnes of plastic and is a growing threat to the marine environment. Fish, birds, mammals, and other invertebrates are impacted negatively mainly through entanglement and ingestion. In recent years the role of rivers as a potential contributor to marine plastic pollution has been suggested. Yet, the scale of this input remains scarcely quantified.
Checking and picking of plastic litter captured by fishing net by volunteer.
This research, therefore, aims to address this gap by carrying out research on the river sabaki, one of Kenya's major rivers draining into the Indian Ocean. Macroplastic will be quantified, characterized, and their sources identified in the respective river; in order to understand the influence of this river on plastics fluxes to the ocean. This will guide the country on steps to take to reduce/prevent plastic pollution from entering the marine environment through rivers. And ultimately conserve both freshwater and marine biodiversity.