We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of parasitic infection on microplastic ingestion in a native leuciscid hybrid species (Alburnus derjugini x Squalius orientalis) from Kürtün Dam Lake, Türkiye
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in a hybrid fish species from a dam lake in Turkey and compared contaminated and parasite-infected individuals. They found that parasites living in the body cavity of infected fish also contained microplastics, showing that the particles spread beyond the digestive tract. The study suggests that when birds eat infected fish, they may further disperse microplastics through the environment.
Microplastic (MP) pollution is currently one of the most serious environmental issues. MPs were investigated in the Kürtün Dam Lake in healthy individuals of the native leuciscid hybrid (Alburnus derjugini x Squalius orientalis) species and individuals infected with the Ligula intestinalis parasite. Although MP abundance appeared to be higher in non-infected fish (NIF) than in L. intestinalis (L) and infected fish (IF), the MP abundance in IF was higher, because the parasite theoretically belongs to IF. In addition to the observation of MPs in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of fish, the diffusion of MPs by parasites settled in the body cavity indicates that MPs are not only present in the GIT. Therefore, predation on existing fish by birds causes MP dispersion. In the present study, the most common MP shape was fiber (100% for NIF and IF, 85.7% for L), the MP color was black (57.1% for IF and L) and orange (50% for NIF), and the polymer type was polyamide (57.1% for IF, 50% for NIF) and polyethylene terephthalate (28.5% for L). These MP compositions led us to believe that textile effluents and aquaculture operations in dam lakes could be sources of pollution. Therefore, this study provides insights for future research to elucidate the connection between MP consumption and parasite infection.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic ingestion in invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki): a nationwide survey from Türkiye
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic ingestion in over 600 mosquitofish across 24 freshwater sites in Türkiye, finding microplastics in fish at nearly all sites, with PET and polyethylene fibers dominating and higher contamination near agricultural and residential areas. The study demonstrates that this invasive, surface-feeding fish is an effective indicator species for tracking localized microplastic pollution.
Plastics in an endemic fish species (Alburnus sellal) and its parasite (Ligula intestinalis) in the Upper Tigris River, Türkiye
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers documented plastics in 57% of an endemic fish species and 74% of its intestinal parasite in the Upper Tigris River, marking the first report of plastic contamination in both host and parasite from this historically significant waterway.
Microplastic ingestion in invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki): a nationwide survey from Türkiye
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Microplastic ingestion in invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki): a nationwide survey from Türkiye
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic ingestion in 621 invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) from 24 freshwater sites across Turkey and found microplastics present across diverse habitat types, with fibers the dominant form (66%), and contamination levels varying with anthropogenic pressure.
Microplastics ingestion by the exotic fish Gambusia holbrooki in two Mediterranean coastal lagoons
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found microplastics in the stomachs of the invasive mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki in two Mediterranean coastal lagoons in Spain. The findings suggest this widely distributed fish ingests microplastics alongside its natural diet of invertebrates.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.