Impact of Sachet Water Packaging Waste on Benthic Communities in Badagry Creek, Lagos State

This study assessed the impact of accumulated sachet water packaging waste (polyethylene microplastics and macrolitter) on benthic communities in Badagry Creek, Lagos State, South West Nigeria. Plastic pollution in Nigeria's coastal and estuarine systems has escalated sharply in recent years, yet its specific ecological consequences for benthic fish habitat and invertebrate communities are inadequately documented. Benthic samples were collected at six stations across a gradient of plastic litter density within the creek, from areas of intense urban waterfront activity to less disturbed mangrove-fringed sections. Sediment plastic content, total plastic item counts, and microplastic fibre concentrations were quantified. Benthic macro-invertebrate samples were processed using standard sorting and identification procedures. Water quality parameters were measured concurrently. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between sediment plastic burden and benthic macro-invertebrate diversity. Stations with the highest plastic loads showed 63 percent lower species richness compared to reference stations. Chironomidae and Tubificidae, both pollution indicators, dominated the assemblage at the most polluted stations. Microplastic ingestion was recorded in 38 percent of demersal fish sampled near high-plastic stations. Physical smothering of substrate and alteration of sediment chemistry were identified as primary mechanisms of benthic community disruption. The study recommends the integration of plastic pollution monitoring into Lagos State estuarine fisheries management plans, implementation of creek clean-up programmes with community participation, and strengthening of solid waste management infrastructure in Badagry Creek riparian communities. Keywords: plastic pollution, benthic communities, Badagry Creek, microplastics, estuarine ecology