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Identification of microplastics in fish ponds and natural freshwater environments of the Carpathian basin, Europe
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Microplastics were identified in fish ponds and natural freshwater bodies across the Carpathian basin in Central Europe, with fibers as the dominant type across all sites. The study extends microplastic monitoring into a region not previously well characterized, finding contamination even in relatively remote natural water bodies.
In the past few years, there has been a significant development in freshwater microplastic research. Pollution has been detected in lakes and rivers of several continents, but the number of papers is still marginal compared to the ones investigating marine environments. In this study, we present the first detection of microplastics (MPs) in Central and Eastern European (CEE) surface waters and, globally, the first detection in fish ponds. Samples were taken from different types of fish ponds and natural water bodies along a novel concept down to a particle size of 100 μm, then, after sample preparation, MPs were characterized using an FTIR microscope. 92% of the water samples contained MPs ranging from 3.52 to 32.05 particles/m. MPs were detected in 69% of the sediment samples ranging from 0.46 to 1.62 particles/kg. Dominant abundance of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene was shown in water and PP and polystyrene in sediment samples. First results also indicate that fish ponds may act as a deposition area for MPs.
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Comparative study on microplastic abundance in fish organs from marine and freshwater ecosystems of the southern Baltic Sea region: influence of habitat zone and feeding preferences
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Researchers found microplastics in 58% of 500 fish specimens examined across Baltic Sea and northern Polish freshwater ecosystems, with carnivorous and benthic species showing the highest contamination levels and blue fibers being the most common particle type across all habitats.
Comparative Distribution of Microplastics in Different Inland Aquatic Ecosystems
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in seven Greek inland water bodies differing in morphology and human impact, finding microplastics (predominantly fibers) in all samples with abundances from 0.60 particles/m³, highlighting contamination even in less impacted freshwater systems.
Comparative Distribution of Microplastics in Different Inland Aquatic Ecosystems
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Researchers sampled seven Greek inland aquatic ecosystems of varying types and found microplastics in all locations, with fibers dominating (0.47–149.4 items/m³) and higher concentrations in vertical than surface samples, indicating that morphology, trophic status, and anthropogenic pressure influence distribution.
Microplastic Contamination in Freshwater Fish: First Insights from Gelingüllü Reservoir (Türkiye)
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Researchers conducted the first study of microplastic contamination in freshwater fish from Gelingullu Reservoir in Turkey, examining common carp, mirror carp, and European perch. Microplastics were found in 75% of the 77 fish examined, with fibers being the dominant type and particles smaller than 100 micrometers being most prevalent. Polystyrene, polyester, and polypropylene were the main polymers identified across gill and gastrointestinal tract samples.
Occurrence of microplastic in the water of different types of aquaculture ponds in an important lakeside freshwater aquaculture area of China
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Microplastics were detected in aquaculture pond water across an important freshwater aquaculture region in China, with pond type and cultured species influencing microplastic occurrence and composition.
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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.