We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic Pollution at Different Trophic Levels of Freshwater Fish in a Variety of Türkiye`s Lakes and Dams
Summary
This study surveyed microplastic contamination in seven freshwater fish species from lakes and reservoirs across Türkiye, finding microplastic particles in the gastrointestinal tracts of all 406 fish examined. All ingested microplastics were fibres, predominantly blue in colour, suggesting textile sources. The broad geographic scope and 100% prevalence across species and water bodies indicate that microplastic contamination of freshwater fish is widespread throughout Türkiye, with implications for human exposure through fish consumption.
Information on the occurrence of microplastic (MP; particles smaller than 5 mm) in freshwater fish biota in the Türkiye is limited. In this study, the microplastic contaminations of seven fish species (Cyprinus carpio, Carassius gibelio, Alburnus spp., Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Vimba vimba, Neogobius fluviatilis, and Perca fluviatilis) collected from Lake Manyas, Lake Uluabat, Lake Gala, Lake Gökgöl, Alaçatı Dam, Beydağ Dam, Tahtalı Dam, and Karaidemir Dam were examined. A total of 610 MP particles were extracted from the gastrointestinal systems of all fish species (n: 406). The ingested MPs were only fibers with the dominant plastic color being blue. The length of microplastics ranged from 0.10 to 4.85 mm. Mean MP length size in C. carpio species 1.40±0.90 mm, in C. gibelio species 1.32±0.88 mm, in Alburnus spp. 1.23±0.90 mm, in S. erythrophthalmus species 0.94±0.79 mm, in V. vimba species 1.11±0.69 mm, in P. fluviatilis species 1.34±0.89 mm, in N. fluviatilis species 1.25±0.97 mm. Among the studied species, the most fiber microplastic was found in P. fluviatilis. According to habitat and feeding features the highest number of microplastics was found in benthopelagic and invertivore fish. This data is anticipated to form the basis for new research and decision-making processes.