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Microplastic ingestion in invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki): a nationwide survey from Türkiye

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Ben Parker, Çüneyt Kaya, Tanju Mutlu, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Tanju Mutlu, Irmak KURTUL, Tanju Mutlu, Tanju Mutlu, Tanju Mutlu, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Irmak KURTUL, Tanju Mutlu, Tanju Mutlu, Tanju Mutlu, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Phillip J. Haubrock, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Kenan Gedik, Tanju Mutlu, Tanju Mutlu, Phillip J. Haubrock, Tanju Mutlu, Esra Bayçelebi, Esra Bayçelebi, Tanju Mutlu, Tanju Mutlu, Tanju Mutlu, Çüneyt Kaya, Ben Parker, Tanju Mutlu, Ahmet Raif Eryaşar, Ben Parker, Tanju Mutlu, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Ben Parker, Esra Bayçelebi, Çüneyt Kaya, Çüneyt Kaya, Çüneyt Kaya, Kenan Gedik, Kenan Gedik, Kenan Gedik Çüneyt Kaya, Tanju Mutlu, Çüneyt Kaya, Çüneyt Kaya, Çüneyt Kaya, Esra Bayçelebi, Esra Bayçelebi, Esra Bayçelebi, Tanju Mutlu, Esra Bayçelebi, Esra Bayçelebi, Phillip J. Haubrock, Phillip J. Haubrock, Phillip J. Haubrock, Phillip J. Haubrock, Phillip J. Haubrock, Phillip J. Haubrock, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Kenan Gedik, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Ali Serhan Tarkan, Ali Serhan Tarkan, J. Robert Britton, J. Robert Britton, J. Robert Britton, J. Robert Britton, J. Robert Britton, J. Robert Britton, J. Robert Britton, J. Robert Britton, Hasan M. Sarı, Hasan M. Sarı, Hasan M. Sarı, Hasan M. Sarı, Hasan M. Sarı, Kenan Gedik Kenan Gedik, Kenan Gedik, Kenan Gedik Kenan Gedik Kenan Gedik, Kenan Gedik, Kenan Gedik

Summary

Researchers conducted a nationwide survey of microplastic ingestion in 621 invasive mosquitofish across 24 freshwater sites in Turkey. They found that fibers were the dominant particle shape at 66%, with PET and polyethylene being the most common polymer types, and that fish from sites with higher anthropogenic pressure contained more microplastics. The study provides large-scale evidence that freshwater fish widely ingest microplastics, with contamination levels reflecting local human activity.

Polymers

PE PET

Body Systems

Digestive

Study Type Environmental

Abstract Microplastics are widespread pollutants in freshwater ecosystems, yet comprehensive data on their occurrence across large geographic scales remains scarce. This nationwide study, therefore, examined microplastic ingestion in 621 individuals of non-native Gambusia holbrooki across 24 freshwater sites in Türkiye, selected to represent diverse hydrological types and anthropogenic pressures. Microplastic particles were extracted from the gastrointestinal tracts and analyzed for morphology, polymer type, size, and color using stereomicroscopy and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Fibers were the dominant shape (66%), followed by fragments (23%), films (9%), and spheres (2%). The most common polymer types were polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 40%) and polyethylene (PE, 28%), while black (35%) and blue (22%) were the most frequent colors. Over 80% of particles measured less than 1 mm in size. Microplastic loads were higher in lentic systems and areas influenced by agricultural or domestic discharge, highlighting spatial variability driven by land use and waterbody type. This pattern aligns with the ecology of G. holbrooki, whose surface-feeding behavior and preference for lentic waters likely increase its exposure to microplastics. These findings demonstrate the utility of G. holbrooki as a bioindicator of localized microplastic pollution. Future monitoring programs should integrate land-use data and adopt multi-species approaches to capture the full spectrum of contamination. This study supports the inclusion of adaptable, invasive species in cost-effective freshwater pollution assessments and informs targeted management strategies. Graphical Abstract

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