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Spatial distribution and characterization of microplastics in crayfish from inland waters of Türkiye
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Researchers analyzed 200 crayfish from eight Turkish lakes and detected microplastics in 62% of individuals, with significant spatial variation linked to land use and wastewater inputs, and polyethylene and PET fibers and fragments predominating. Freshwater crayfish prove effective bioindicators for mapping microplastic pollution across inland water bodies, revealing how human activity patterns drive contamination of food species consumed by local communities.
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants in freshwater ecosystems, yet their distribution patterns and drivers remain poorly understood. This study tested four hypotheses: (H1) that MP abundance in crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) differs significantly among lakes with varying anthropogenic pressures; (H2) that MP morphology and polymer types are indicative of localized pollution sources; (H3) that fiber-shaped MPs dominate due to wastewater and textile inputs; and (H4) that spatial variation exists in MP color and polymer diversity. A total of 200 crayfish were collected from eight lakes in Türkiye. MPs were detected in 62% of individuals. Significant spatial variations in MP abundance were observed. Keban Dam Lake had 5 × higher MP concentrations in crayfish than Mamasin Dam Lake. Fibers (48%) and fragments (45%) were the most prevalent shapes; polyethylene (35%) and PET (29%) were the most common polymers. The results support all four hypotheses, highlighting the influence of land use, wastewater inputs, and atmospheric deposition on MP pollution. This study positions crayfish as effective bioindicators for monitoring freshwater microplastic contamination and underlines the need for targeted mitigation strategies.
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Microplastics Abundance in Aquatic Environment and its Impact on Macrobenthos
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Researchers reviewed how microplastic pollution affects macrobenthic communities across marine and freshwater ecosystems, documenting impaired feeding, oxidative damage, and developmental defects in organisms ranging from sponges and corals to mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms.
Evaluation of microplastic presence and risks in freshwater fish from Anzali International Wetland, Iran
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (mostly blue plastic fibers) in the gills and guts of fish from an Iranian wetland, with bottom-feeding fish like tench carrying the most contamination. Since these fish are part of the food chain, and some are likely eaten by people, this suggests microplastics could be working their way up to our dinner plates, highlighting the need for better pollution controls and testing methods to understand the full health risks.
Microplastic Accumulation in Crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz 1823) and Sediments of Durusu (Terkos) Lake (Turkey)
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Freshwater crayfish in Istanbul's Durusu (Terkos) Lake, a major drinking water reservoir, were found to contain up to 19.67 microplastic pieces per individual in their gills, with polypropylene as the dominant polymer in both crayfish and surrounding sediments. This first-time documentation of microplastic contamination in both the biota and sediment of a Turkish drinking water source signals a dual public health concern: contamination of aquatic food sources and potential migration into water supply systems.
Microplastics in Aquatic Systems: Sources, Accumulation, Environmental Impact and Mitigation Strategies
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This review synthesizes how microplastics enter aquatic ecosystems, where they accumulate, and what harm they cause to wildlife and water quality — while also evaluating mitigation strategies, highlighting that both primary sources like microbeads and secondary sources like degrading plastic waste need to be addressed.
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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.