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Characterization of microplastics in sediments and surface waters of Turkish lakes
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Researchers surveyed seven lakes in Turkey and found microplastics in all of them, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. Human activities like tourism, fishing, and urban waste disposal were identified as major sources, showing that even protected lake areas are contaminated with plastic particles that can enter drinking water supplies.
This study examined microplastic (MP) pollution in the sediments and surface waters of seven distinct lakes in Turkey, aiming to assess the status and characteristics of MP contamination. Hydrogen peroxide was introduced to eliminate organic matter present in the samples. MPs were separated and filtered using methods based on differences in density using ZnCl (d: 1.65 g cm) solution. Microplastics were subjected to Nile red staining observed using a fluorescent microscope, and subsequently, the types of polymers were identified through ATR-FTIR analysis. MP concentrations varied among lakes (p < 0.05), with Borçka Dam Lake (0.69 ± 0.65 MP L) exhibiting the highest levels in water, while Karagöl (Şavşat) Lake (344 ± 188 MP kg) showed the highest sediment contamination. Five distinct types of polymers were identified, with polyethylene and fragments being predominant in water, while polypropylene and fibers were more prevalent in sediment. The fibers predominantly measured less than 500 μm in length, whereas the fragments exhibited a more uniform distribution. The results indicate that microplastic pollution is prevalent in lake ecosystems, with human activities such as tourism, fishing, and urban waste discharge which have been identified as significant contributors. This study underscores the pervasive presence of microplastic pollution in protected areas and stresses the necessity for robust mitigation strategies to tackle the impacts of tourism on freshwater ecosystems. Additional investigations will elaborate on the precise origins, transport mechanisms, and ecological consequences of MPs, facilitating the formulation of efficient response strategies.
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in sediments and bivalves from three Turkish lakes, finding 19-156 microplastics per kilogram in sediments and varying levels in different bivalve species, with fibers and fragments as dominant shapes.
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Lake Gölcük in western Turkey, a freshwater lake under growing pressure from tourism and development, was found to contain microplastics across all sampled compartments—water, sediments, fish muscle, fish digestive tracts, and invertebrate tissues. Tourist-heavy areas of the lake showed the highest contamination, suggesting recreational human activity is a major local source. The presence of microplastics in fish muscle tissue is particularly significant because it indicates that plastic particles can enter the human food chain through locally caught fish.
Microplastic Pollution in Turkish Aquatic Ecosystems: Sources, Characteristics, Implications, and Mitigation Strategies
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This systematic review surveys microplastic pollution across Turkish rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. It found widespread contamination from textile fibers, packaging fragments, and agricultural films, with potential implications for local seafood safety and drinking water quality.
Microplastics in Turkish coastal lagoons: Unveiling the hidden threat to wetland ecosystems
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Researchers conducted the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic pollution in five coastal lagoons in northeastern Mediterranean Turkey, recovering over 15,500 microplastic particles from water and sediment samples. Water concentrations were significantly higher in November than in June, with fibers being the dominant type and polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester the most common polymers. The findings point to agricultural runoff, fishing gear, and mismanaged waste as significant pollution sources in these ecologically important wetland ecosystems.
Microplastics in a touristic and a remote freshwater lake in Türkiye: comparative patterns in water and sediments
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Scientists compared tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in two Turkish lakes—one popular with tourists and one remote and untouched—and found plastic pollution in both, even the lake far from people. This suggests microplastics can travel long distances through wind, water, or sediment rather than just coming from local sources like tourists, meaning even "pristine" lakes we drink from or swim in may not be as plastic-free as they seem.
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