A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives

Cornelius Benedict Mushumbusi; Emmanuel Onyanka Mogusu; Robert Arsen Max

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12

Review Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives

Cornelius Benedict Mushumbusi^*

, Emmanuel Onyanka Mogusu

, Robert Arsen Max

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 13, Issue 5)

Received: 3 September 2025 Accepted: 23 September 2025 Published: 27 October 2025

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Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are, so far, a global issue due to the ill effects they pose to human health and the environment at large. This study merges MPs characteristics which have been found to influence their toxicity. The study also unveils extent of MP researches in Tanzania and methodologies that were employed in the global context, showing extent of pollution, sources and factors leading to MPs pollution. On the long run, the study makes it clear that the country is not an island to the challenge posed by MP pollution: it also reveals how much the country has so far done to mitigate the problem. Eventually, the study provides a way forward, revealing inadequate awareness and enforcement gaps to be the major bottlenecks in the battle against MPs pollution. Creating public awareness on the negative side of plastics, and plastics waste management, and responsibility on how to care for the environment, as well as launching new researches, are deemed to be critical activities and right approaches towards lessening the effects of MPs pollution.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 13, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12
Page(s)	109-121
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Microplastics, Characteristics, Pollution, Terrestrial Environment, Aquatic Environment

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Mushumbusi, C. B., Mogusu, E. O., Max, R. A. (2025). A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 13(5), 109-121. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12

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ACS Style

Mushumbusi, C. B.; Mogusu, E. O.; Max, R. A. A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2025, 13(5), 109-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12

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AMA Style

Mushumbusi CB, Mogusu EO, Max RA. A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2025;13(5):109-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12,
  author = {Cornelius Benedict Mushumbusi and Emmanuel Onyanka Mogusu and Robert Arsen Max},
  title = {A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives
},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {109-121},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20251305.12},
  abstract = {Microplastics (MPs) are, so far, a global issue due to the ill effects they pose to human health and the environment at large. This study merges MPs characteristics which have been found to influence their toxicity. The study also unveils extent of MP researches in Tanzania and methodologies that were employed in the global context, showing extent of pollution, sources and factors leading to MPs pollution. On the long run, the study makes it clear that the country is not an island to the challenge posed by MP pollution: it also reveals how much the country has so far done to mitigate the problem. Eventually, the study provides a way forward, revealing inadequate awareness and enforcement gaps to be the major bottlenecks in the battle against MPs pollution. Creating public awareness on the negative side of plastics, and plastics waste management, and responsibility on how to care for the environment, as well as launching new researches, are deemed to be critical activities and right approaches towards lessening the effects of MPs pollution.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives

AU  - Cornelius Benedict Mushumbusi
AU  - Emmanuel Onyanka Mogusu
AU  - Robert Arsen Max
Y1  - 2025/10/27
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 109
EP  - 121
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12
AB  - Microplastics (MPs) are, so far, a global issue due to the ill effects they pose to human health and the environment at large. This study merges MPs characteristics which have been found to influence their toxicity. The study also unveils extent of MP researches in Tanzania and methodologies that were employed in the global context, showing extent of pollution, sources and factors leading to MPs pollution. On the long run, the study makes it clear that the country is not an island to the challenge posed by MP pollution: it also reveals how much the country has so far done to mitigate the problem. Eventually, the study provides a way forward, revealing inadequate awareness and enforcement gaps to be the major bottlenecks in the battle against MPs pollution. Creating public awareness on the negative side of plastics, and plastics waste management, and responsibility on how to care for the environment, as well as launching new researches, are deemed to be critical activities and right approaches towards lessening the effects of MPs pollution.

VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Cornelius Benedict Mushumbusi

Department of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mwenge Catholic University (MWECAU), Moshi, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-3694-0186
Emmanuel Onyanka Mogusu

Department of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mwenge Catholic University (MWECAU), Moshi, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-4168-0970
Robert Arsen Max

Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9457-2031

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Mushumbusi, C. B., Mogusu, E. O., Max, R. A. (2025). A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 13(5), 109-121. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12

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ACS Style

Mushumbusi, C. B.; Mogusu, E. O.; Max, R. A. A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2025, 13(5), 109-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12

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AMA Style

Mushumbusi CB, Mogusu EO, Max RA. A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2025;13(5):109-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12,
  author = {Cornelius Benedict Mushumbusi and Emmanuel Onyanka Mogusu and Robert Arsen Max},
  title = {A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives
},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {13},
  number = {5},
  pages = {109-121},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20251305.12},
  abstract = {Microplastics (MPs) are, so far, a global issue due to the ill effects they pose to human health and the environment at large. This study merges MPs characteristics which have been found to influence their toxicity. The study also unveils extent of MP researches in Tanzania and methodologies that were employed in the global context, showing extent of pollution, sources and factors leading to MPs pollution. On the long run, the study makes it clear that the country is not an island to the challenge posed by MP pollution: it also reveals how much the country has so far done to mitigate the problem. Eventually, the study provides a way forward, revealing inadequate awareness and enforcement gaps to be the major bottlenecks in the battle against MPs pollution. Creating public awareness on the negative side of plastics, and plastics waste management, and responsibility on how to care for the environment, as well as launching new researches, are deemed to be critical activities and right approaches towards lessening the effects of MPs pollution.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Review on Microplastics Characteristics and Pollution in Tanzania: Mitigating Strategies and Future Perspectives

AU  - Cornelius Benedict Mushumbusi
AU  - Emmanuel Onyanka Mogusu
AU  - Robert Arsen Max
Y1  - 2025/10/27
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 109
EP  - 121
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20251305.12
AB  - Microplastics (MPs) are, so far, a global issue due to the ill effects they pose to human health and the environment at large. This study merges MPs characteristics which have been found to influence their toxicity. The study also unveils extent of MP researches in Tanzania and methodologies that were employed in the global context, showing extent of pollution, sources and factors leading to MPs pollution. On the long run, the study makes it clear that the country is not an island to the challenge posed by MP pollution: it also reveals how much the country has so far done to mitigate the problem. Eventually, the study provides a way forward, revealing inadequate awareness and enforcement gaps to be the major bottlenecks in the battle against MPs pollution. Creating public awareness on the negative side of plastics, and plastics waste management, and responsibility on how to care for the environment, as well as launching new researches, are deemed to be critical activities and right approaches towards lessening the effects of MPs pollution.

VL  - 13
IS  - 5
ER  -

Copy | Download