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WITHDRAWN: Risk assessment of cigarette butts and microplastic pollution in a drinking and irrigation water basin of West Anatolia, Türkiye
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This study (since withdrawn) investigated cigarette butt and microplastic contamination in a drinking and irrigation water reservoir in western Turkey. The retracted status of this study means its specific findings should not be cited as evidence, though cigarette butt and microplastic pollution in drinking water sources is a documented environmental concern.
Abstract Cigarette butts (CBs) and Microplastics (MPs) have serious harmful effects on the environment and living organisms despite their small size. This research aims to investigate the abundance and pollution status of CBs and MPs in Tahtalı Dam Basin (West Anatolia, Türkiye). Main tributaries of the basin are Balaban Lake and Balaban Stream, which are the most important drinking and irrigation water resources of the basin. CBs and MPs sampling were made from the coastal sediment of Balaban Lake and riverbank of Balaban Stream. Clean Environment Index (CEI) and Cigarette Butt Pollution Index (CBPI) were used to determine pollution degree of the basin. MP particles were examined both visually and spectrophotometrically. While the total number of CBs were 1.478 items, the total number of MPs were 477 items/m 2 in the basin. As a result of this study, MP particles weren’t found in Balaban Stream. Highest number of MP particles observed in 100–250 µm (45%) size class. The most abundant MP type and colour were, fragment (54%) and white (42%), respectively. Polyethylene terephthalate (50%) was the most abundant type of polymer according to the ATR- FTIR analysis. As a result of the CEI and CBPI, the upstream stations of the stream were classified as “ clean ” status, while downstream sampling points of the stream and Balaban Lake coasts were classified as “ extremely dirty ” status.
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WITHDRAWN: Risk assessment of cigarette butts and microplastic pollution in a drinking and irrigation water basin of West Anatolia, Türkiye
AI summary Read the abstract
This preprint on cigarette butt and microplastic pollution risk assessment in a drinking and irrigation water basin in West Anatolia, Turkey was withdrawn by the authors due to internal disagreement over the posting of the preprint.
Risk assessment of cigarette butts and microplastic pollution in a drinking and irrigation water basin of West Anatolia, Türkiye
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This study assessed microplastic and cigarette butt pollution in a drinking and irrigation water basin in West Anatolia, Turkey, characterizing particle abundance and evaluating ecological and health risks. Both microplastics and cigarette filters were found throughout the basin, posing risks to aquatic organisms and downstream water users.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.