Assessment of Microplastics Physical and Chemical Characteristic in Top Soil Surface of Uyo Metropolis Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

— A study was carried out at different locations in Uyo metropolis where waste plastics are indiscriminately disposed. Five soil sampling stations with GPS coordinate were taken, analyzed in the laboratory and compared with control site to assess the level of microplastics in the soil and it impacts. Soil samples were collected, sieve to get the microplastic particles present and analyzed using standard procedures of Associations of Official Analytical Chemist and American Public Health Association. The stations comparisons and location of significant differences were carried out using ANOVA and Duncan multiple range tests, while correlation analysis was done to check the differences in parameter relationship. The mean value of the physical and chemical parameter (proximate and ultimate analysis) had a ranges value of pH (6.32-6.00), HHV (34870.00-21050.00KJ/g), Moisture content (15.32-9.67%), carbon (37.25-18.89%), Oxygen (45.87-22.03%), Nitrogen (0.57-0.21%), Hydrogen (13.21-4.12 %), Sulphur (0.64-0.027%). Fixed carbon, Ash content, volatile matter, residual content from all the location were higher than the control and were also significantly different (with 95% confidence limits) from each other and were higher that the control site and it showed a strong positive correlation with each other. Similarly, heavy metals and ranges as follow; Pb (61.75-16.78 ppm), Cd(9.65-2.28 ppm), Hg(0.87-0.10 ppm), Cr(71.25-33.85 ppm), As (2.38-0.16 ppm), Cl (2165.31-498.76 ppm), and Br (567.14-89.88 ppm). The parameters in the location where high and from the contamination degree (10.651-7.993 ppm) and pollution load index (544.40- 81.62 ppm), Anions contamination level was above moderate level but could pose danger to the food chain as some of these beads are picked by birds and lower organisms. Pollution index was also high in the soil samples collected. This shows that toxic substances are in large amount and is stored for long time as this waste plactic and other organic matter are deposited every day. If proper check and regulation is not taken the soil around that region could be completely damaged and useless. The study concludes that, there is high level of plastic disposal in the soil of Uyo metropolis which result to high amount of microplastic in the soil. This trend needs to be reversedso as to safeguard the soil biota and food chain. It is therefore recommended that government and legislatures should take proactive step to regulate reduce and recycle single used plastic.