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Historically low microplastic loads within white bream (Blicca bjoerkna) in the Marmara basin, Türkiye
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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.
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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Long-term investigation of microplastic abundance in Squalius species in Turkish inland waters
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By examining museum fish specimens collected from 22 Turkish river basins between 2004 and 2018, researchers found microplastics in 21% of Squalius fish gastrointestinal tracts, with fibers (79%) and polyethylene the dominant types. Using historical collections to track contamination over time is a novel approach, and the results suggest microplastic ingestion by freshwater fish has been an ongoing problem for at least two decades, pre-dating most monitoring efforts.
Tracking the microplastic accumulation from past to present in the freshwater ecosystems: A case study in Susurluk Basin, Turkey
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Researchers tracked the historical accumulation of microplastics in freshwater lake sediment cores, finding a steady increase in particle deposition corresponding to rising plastic production since the mid-20th century and demonstrating that sediment archives can reconstruct the timeline of freshwater microplastic pollution.
The First Study on the Detection of Microplastic in the Tissues of Cyprinus carpio, Capoeta tinca and Barbus anatolicus in the Kızılırmak River (Nevşehir Region), Türkiye
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Researchers conducted the first study detecting microplastics in the tissues of three fish species collected from the Kizilirmak River in Turkey. They identified 364 microplastic particles across muscle, liver, and digestive system tissues, with the digestive system containing the highest counts. The majority of particles were white fibers composed of polymers including polyamide, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene, and polyester, highlighting the extent of microplastic contamination in this waterway.
A fish tale: a century of museum specimens reveal increasing microplastic concentrations in freshwater fish
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Researchers analyzed preserved museum fish specimens spanning over a century (1900-2017) and found that microplastic concentrations in freshwater fish digestive tissues have increased significantly over time, correlating with rising global plastic production. The increase was most pronounced after the 1950s when plastic manufacturing expanded dramatically. The study provides the first historical timeline of microplastic ingestion in freshwater fish, confirming that contamination has escalated alongside industrial plastic use.
Pollution status of microplastics in freshwater basins of Türkiye: evidence from all Barbus (Daudin, 1805) species
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Scientists studying fish collected from Turkish rivers and lakes over 14 years found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in about 1 in 5 fish, showing that plastic pollution has been quietly building up in freshwater ecosystems for years, not just recently. This matters because these fish are part of the food chain, and freshwater sources like this often connect to what humans eventually eat or drink — so tracking plastic contamination in wildlife helps scientists understand and manage a pollution problem that could affect us too.
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