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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Policy & Risk Sign in to save

Historically low microplastic loads within white bream (Blicca bjoerkna) in the Marmara basin, Türkiye

Journal of Fish Biology 2025 2 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Irmak Kurtul, Ben Parker, Esra Bayçelebi, Münevver Oral Kaba, Çüneyt Kaya, Tanju Mutlu, Sencer Akalın, Kenan Gedik, Phillip J. Haubrock, Ali Serhan Tarkan, J. Robert Britton

Summary

Examining museum-archived white bream specimens from 1963–2004 in northwest Turkey, researchers found historically low microplastic contamination—only 3.2% of 154 fish were contaminated—suggesting that pre-2000s microplastic exposure in those freshwater lakes was minimal.

Polymers
PA PE PET
Study Type Environmental

Assessment of 154 white bream Blicca bjoerkna specimens collected between 1963 and 2004 from Manyas and Uluabat lake, northwest Türkiye, revealed that only 3.2% of fish were contaminated with microplastics, with a mean incidence and standard error of 0.04 ± 0.02 particles. Black fibres and white fragments were spectroscopically confirmed as polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate. Contamination status (contaminated/uncontaminated) of individuals was unrelated to Fulton's condition factor, lake, sampling year and sex. Results thus highlight the utility of historical collection specimens in assessing temporal microplastic contamination within freshwater fishes.

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