Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Characterization of microplastics in sediments and surface waters of Turkish lakes

Researchers surveyed seven lakes in Turkey and found microplastics in all of them, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. Human activities like tourism, fishing, and urban waste disposal were identified as major sources, showing that even protected lake areas are contaminated with plastic particles that can enter drinking water supplies.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic intake of Unio mancus Lamarck 1819 collected from Ataturk Dam Lake, Türkiye

Researchers examined microplastic intake in the freshwater bivalve Unio mancus collected from Ataturk Dam Lake in Turkey, characterizing the size, shape, and polymer composition of microplastic particles and fibers ingested by the mussels. The study documented microplastic contamination in this dam lake population, contributing to understanding of freshwater bivalve exposure to plastic pollution in Turkish inland water systems.

2023 TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Characterization of Microplastic Pollution in The Three Main Freshwater Systems (Aksu and Köprü Streams, Manavgat River) And Fishing Grounds Located in Their Vicinities in The Antalya Bay

Researchers found 2,444 microplastics across three freshwater systems near Antalya Bay, Turkey, with fibers (57%) and fragments (33%) dominating, and polyethylene and polypropylene as the most common polymers, showing a homogeneous pollution pattern across all sampling sites.

2021 Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Turkish coastal lagoons: Unveiling the hidden threat to wetland ecosystems

Researchers conducted the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic pollution in five coastal lagoons in northeastern Mediterranean Turkey, recovering over 15,500 microplastic particles from water and sediment samples. Water concentrations were significantly higher in November than in June, with fibers being the dominant type and polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester the most common polymers. The findings point to agricultural runoff, fishing gear, and mismanaged waste as significant pollution sources in these ecologically important wetland ecosystems.

2025 Environmental Pollution 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic accumulation in Lake Van aquate ecosystems

This Turkish study detected microplastics in sediment samples from Lake Van in eastern Turkey, confirming plastic contamination has reached this large and remote inland lake ecosystem.

2023 DSpace@MŞU
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastic Pollution in Turkish Aquatic Ecosystems: Sources, Characteristics, Implications, and Mitigation Strategies

This systematic review surveys microplastic pollution across Turkish rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. It found widespread contamination from textile fibers, packaging fragments, and agricultural films, with potential implications for local seafood safety and drinking water quality.

2023 Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Microplastics in the Surface Water, Sediment and Fish of Sürgü Dam Reservoir (Malatya) in Turkey

Researchers found microplastic contamination across water, sediment, and fish tissues in Sürgü Dam Reservoir in Turkey, with fibers as the dominant type, polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene as the main polymers, and an average of 0.41 microplastic particles per fish.

2021 Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 30 citations
Article Tier 2

First evaluation of microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Van Bay from Van Lake, Turkey

Researchers found microplastic pollution in surface waters of Van Bay, Turkey, at densities of 641,424 to 1,426,638 particles/km2, with fibers (40.5%), particles under 0.1 mm (52.3%), and polyethylene (60.2%) being most prevalent, and highest concentrations near river inputs from populated areas.

2022 Chemistry and Ecology 17 citations
Article Tier 2

The Use of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) as a Sentinel Species for the Microplastic Pollution of Freshwater: The Case of Beyhan Dam Lake, Turkey

This study detected microplastics in zebra mussels from Beyhan Dam Lake in Turkey, finding an average of several particles per individual with fibers predominating, providing the first evidence of microplastic pollution in this freshwater bivalve species from Turkish inland waters.

2023 Sustainability 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Turkish Coastal Lagoons: Unveiling the Hidden Threat to Wetland Ecosystems

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance, composition, and seasonal variability in surface water and sediment of five Turkish coastal lagoons in the northeastern Mediterranean. Microplastics were present in all lagoons across seasons, with fibers dominating, and sediment concentrations far exceeding water column levels, revealing that these transitional ecosystems serve as significant microplastic sinks.

2025 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Levels in Water and Sediment of Karaçomak Dam Lake (Kastamonu, Türkiye)

Microplastic abundance in water and sediment samples from Karaçomak Dam Lake in Turkey was assessed across four seasons in 2023. MPs were detected in all samples, with fibres predominating, and concentrations varied seasonally, raising concern for a drinking and irrigation water source affected by plastic pollution.

2024 Journal of Agricultural Production 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in Gulf of Bandırma, Sea of Marmara: Biota and sediment

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in fish, mollusks, and sediment from the Sea of Marmara in Turkey. They found microplastics in all species examined, averaging about 2 to 3 particles per individual, with fibers and polyethylene terephthalate being the most common types. The results indicate widespread microplastic pollution throughout this marine environment that may accumulate through the food web.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Cevdet Dündar Pond: first observation on freshwater of Turkey

This study reports the first documented occurrence of microplastic pollution in Cevdet Dundar Pond, a Turkish freshwater body. Microplastics of various shapes and polymer types were found, establishing a baseline for freshwater microplastic monitoring in the region.

2020
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in a dam lake in Turkey: type, mesh size effect, and bacterial biofilm communities

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in Sureyyabey Dam Lake in Turkey, comparing MP detection using 300 μm and 100 μm mesh nets and characterizing MP type, shape, color, and polymer composition at four sampling stations. The study also found bacterial biofilm communities growing on MP surfaces in both water and net-captured samples, highlighting MPs as microbial colonization substrates in freshwater reservoirs.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 71 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in lakes and rivers: an issue of emerging significance to limnology

Researchers found that microplastic concentrations in freshwater lakes and rivers can exceed those of living organisms like zooplankton, with sediment levels matching the most contaminated marine sites, establishing microplastics as a significant issue for limnology.

2021 Environmental Reviews 141 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution and ecological risk assessment of a pond ecosystem

Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics in a freshwater pond in Turkey, finding particles at all five sampling stations across multiple size classes. The study contributes baseline data on microplastic pollution in inland freshwater ecosystems in the region, where such monitoring is still limited despite the potential for drinking water and wildlife exposure.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Environmental Sciences Europe
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Accumulation in Lake Van Sediment

Researchers analysed sediment samples from Lake Van in eastern Turkey for the presence of LDPE, PP, PS, and PET microplastics, using sieve filtration, organic matter removal, and density separation to isolate particles from samples collected at three stations across four shoreline settlements. The study documented microplastic accumulation in lake sediments and characterised the types and distribution of microplastics present in this large inland water body.

2024 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in lakes and lake shoreline sediments – A case study on Lake Bolsena and Lake Chiusi (central Italy)

Researchers surveyed a lake and its shoreline sediments for microplastic pollution, documenting contamination levels and particle characteristics and finding that shoreline sediments accumulated higher concentrations than open water.

2016 Environmental Pollution 586 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of microplastics in edible wild mussels from İzmir Bay (Aegean Sea, Western Turkey): A risk assessment for the consumers

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in edible wild mussels and water samples from two stations in Izmir Bay, Turkey. They detected over 1,600 microplastic particles across 60 mussel samples and nearly 1,900 particles in water samples, with fibers being the dominant type. The study included a public health risk assessment suggesting that regular consumption of these mussels results in meaningful microplastic intake for consumers.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 51 citations
Article Tier 2

Lake sediments as microplastic sink: The case of three lakes from Northern and Central Poland

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in bottom sediments from three lakes in northern and central Poland with low surrounding human activity, finding between 4 and 21 microplastic particles per kilogram of wet sediment. These values were low compared to lakes in urbanized areas, suggesting anthropogenic pressure significantly drives sediment microplastic accumulation.

2024 Quaestiones Geographicae 4 citations
Article Tier 2

High levels of microplastic ingestion by commercial, planktivorous Alburnus tarichi in Lake Van, Turkey

Researchers found exceptionally high microplastic contamination in the planktivorous fish Alburnus tarichi from Lake Van, Turkey, averaging 34 microplastic pieces per individual across 101 fish sampled, with fibers being the most common shape and polyethylene the dominant polymer.

2021 Food Additives & Contaminants Part A 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics from Nepal’s Second Largest Lake

Researchers conducted the first microplastic survey of Phewa Lake in Nepal, finding an average of 55–122.5 microplastic items per kilogram of sediment, with fiber shapes and polypropylene polymers dominating, and highest concentrations near densely populated shorelines.

2022 Water Air & Soil Pollution 24 citations