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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Assessing microplastic hazards in freshwater ecosystems using chironomid larvae: insights from the Ergene River, European part of Türkiye
ClearChironomus sp. as a Bioindicator for Assessing Microplastic Contamination and the Heavy Metals Associated with It in the Sediment of Wastewater in Sohag Governorate, Egypt
Researchers used Chironomus midge larvae as bioindicators to assess microplastic contamination in wastewater environments in upper Egypt. The study found red and blue polyester fibers were the most common microplastics, and successfully detected microplastic particles inside the larvae, demonstrating that these organisms can serve as useful indicators of plastic pollution in aquatic systems.
Effects of anthropogenic activities on microplastics in deposit-feeders (Diptera: Chironomidae) in an urban river of Taiwan
Researchers quantified microplastic abundance and types in midge larvae (Chironomidae) from an urban river and found that multiple anthropogenic activities including industrial discharge, agriculture, and residential runoff were associated with elevated microplastic levels in these freshwater deposit-feeders.
Microplastic ingestion in invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki): a nationwide survey from Türkiye
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.
Distribution of Microplastic in Egypt Wastewater Using Aquatic Insects as Bioindicators
Researchers used aquatic insect larvae as bioindicators to assess microplastic distribution in Egyptian wastewater systems influenced by industrial and human activity. Insects from high-pollution sites accumulated significantly more microplastics, confirming their utility as cost-effective biological indicators for tracking microplastic contamination in freshwater systems.
Mechanisms influencing the impact of microplastics on freshwater benthic invertebrates: Uptake dynamics and adverse effects on Chironomus riparius
Researchers studied the factors influencing microplastic uptake and toxicity in the freshwater midge Chironomus riparius using experimental data and agent-based modeling. They found that high concentrations of small microplastics fill the insect gut, are eliminated more slowly than natural particles, and cause damage to gut tissue that leads to reduced growth and delayed development. The study suggests that microplastic concentrations in some freshwater hotspots may already be high enough to cause adverse effects in wild populations.
Understanding the microplastic pollution impact on Chironomus sancticaroli larvae development and emergence
Researchers studied how PET microplastics affect the development and emergence of Chironomus midge larvae, an important freshwater insect. They found that microplastic exposure altered larval development and reduced successful adult emergence. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems could disrupt the life cycles of aquatic insects, which are vital to food webs and ecosystem health.
Microplastic ingestion in invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki): a nationwide survey from Türkiye
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.
Plastics in an endemic fish species (Alburnus sellal) and its parasite (Ligula intestinalis) in the Upper Tigris River, Türkiye
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.
Use of Midge Chironomus riparius Larvae in Plastic Ecotoxicity Studies and Peculiarities of Their Responses
This study uses midge larvae (Chironomus riparius) — a standard ecotoxicology test organism — to investigate how microplastics affect freshwater sediment-dwelling insects, reviewing both what is known and the peculiarities of chironomid responses compared to other test species. Chironomids are important because they represent benthic organisms that live in direct contact with plastic-contaminated sediments, making them a biologically relevant model for bottom sediment microplastic risk assessment.
Metabolomic responses in freshwater benthic invertebrate, Chironomus tepperi, exposed to polyethylene microplastics: A two-generational investigation
Researchers examined metabolomic changes in the freshwater midge Chironomus tepperi exposed to polyethylene microplastics across two generations, finding that environmentally relevant concentrations altered metabolite profiles and negatively affected survival and emergence.
Exploring microplastic pollution in a Mediterranean river: The role of introduced species as bioindicators
Researchers used a non-native fish species in a Greek urban river to monitor microplastic pollution and found that about one-third of the fish had ingested microplastics, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene from packaging. The moderate contamination levels reflected the urban environment surrounding the river, with road runoff as a likely source. The study demonstrates that introduced fish species can serve as practical indicators of microplastic pollution in freshwater systems.
Tracking the microplastic pollution in the freshwater environments of southeastern Türkiye: Usage of Unio delicatus, Unio Terminalis and Dreissena polymorpha as bioindicators of microplastics
This study examined microplastic contamination in three freshwater mussel species collected from rivers and a dam lake in southeastern Turkey, finding relatively low average concentrations (under 1 microplastic per individual) but confirming that these mussels do accumulate plastic particles from their surroundings. Because mussels are filter feeders with a fixed lifestyle, they reflect local pollution levels well, making them useful sentinels for tracking microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems. The research adds to growing evidence that microplastics are now present even in inland freshwater species far from the ocean.
Tracing microplastic pathways: assessing pollution in a freshwater lake with high tourist activity
Lake Gölcük in western Turkey, a freshwater lake under growing pressure from tourism and development, was found to contain microplastics across all sampled compartments—water, sediments, fish muscle, fish digestive tracts, and invertebrate tissues. Tourist-heavy areas of the lake showed the highest contamination, suggesting recreational human activity is a major local source. The presence of microplastics in fish muscle tissue is particularly significant because it indicates that plastic particles can enter the human food chain through locally caught fish.
Chironomus riparius Larval Gut Bacteriobiota and Its Potential in Microplastic Degradation
Researchers characterized the gut bacteria of Chironomus riparius midge larvae and identified strains with plastic-degrading enzyme potential, suggesting that the gut microbiome of sediment-dwelling invertebrates may play a role in breaking down ingested microplastics in freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastic pollution in two remote rivers of Türkiye
Researchers documented microplastic pollution in two remote rivers of Turkey, finding that even waterways far from major urban centers contain significant microplastic contamination, highlighting the widespread reach of plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastic loads within riverine fishes and macroinvertebrates are not predictable from ecological or morphological characteristics
Researchers measured microplastic loads in riverine fish and macroinvertebrates and found that particle counts were not reliably predicted by species ecology or morphology, suggesting that individual variation and local environmental factors play a larger role in microplastic ingestion than feeding guild or habitat alone.
Chironomus riparius molecular response to polystyrene primary microplastics
Researchers examined the molecular response of the aquatic midge larva Chironomus riparius to polystyrene primary microplastics, investigating how these emerging contaminants affect gene expression in this standard toxicology test organism.
Aquatic insects as mediator for microplastics pollution in a river ecosystem of Bangladesh
Researchers found that aquatic insects in a Malaysian river ecosystem ingest microplastics and can transport them across ecosystem boundaries as the insects emerge from water to land, functioning as biological vectors that move plastic contamination from aquatic to terrestrial food webs.
Microplastic ingestion in invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki): a nationwide survey from Türkiye
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 abundance in abiotic and biotic components along aquatic food chain in two freshwater ecosystems of Pakistan
Researchers quantified microplastic abundance across multiple trophic levels in two Pakistani freshwater ecosystems, finding evidence of bioaccumulation along the food chain from water and sediment through invertebrates to fish species.
The sediment of a river having ‘’good ecological status” turned out to be toxic to midge Chironomus riparius larvae: Implication for environmental monitoring?
Researchers found that sediments from a river classified as having good ecological status were toxic to aquatic organisms in bioassays, highlighting that ecological status classifications may not capture all relevant contaminant pressures including microplastics.
Isolation of Microplastics from Freshwater Macroinvertebrates in the Danube River
Researchers isolated microplastics from three freshwater species — mollusks, worms, and midge larvae — collected from the Danube River during a major scientific survey. Using different organism types as biological monitors showed that microplastic contamination is widespread in the river's aquatic ecosystem.
Microplastic Pollution at Different Trophic Levels of Freshwater Fish in a Variety of Türkiye`s Lakes and Dams
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.
Size-selective microplastic uptake by freshwater organisms: Fish, mussel, and zooplankton
Researchers assessed microplastic ingestion by organisms at different trophic levels in the polluted Susurluk River Basin in Turkey, including zooplankton, mussels, and fish. The study found that while no microplastic ingestion was observed in zooplankton, both mussels and fish contained microplastics, with size-selective uptake patterns varying across organism types.