Altunışık Abdullah, Tatlı Hale, Doğan Necmettin, Sezen Göksal, Parmaksız Arif
Biology Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 53100, Rize, Türkiye.
Biology Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, University of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 53100, Rize, Türkiye.
Environ Pollut. 2025 Oct 15;383:126863. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126863. Epub 2025 Jul 21.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly recognized as emerging pollutants in freshwater ecosystems, with implications for ecological integrity and food safety. This study presents the first integrated assessment of MP contamination in the Euphrates River (Türkiye), focusing on water, sediment, and six commercially important fish species. We hypothesized that MP abundance in fish would vary according to species-specific feeding behavior and habitat use. To test this, sampling was conducted at 23 sites encompassing urban, agricultural, and industrial zones. MPs were identified and quantified using stereomicroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. MPs were detected in 52.2 % of water samples (0-6.6 MP/m) and 43.5 % of sediment samples (0-15 MP/kg), with fibers and polyethylene terephthalate were the dominant forms. Among fish species (Capoeta trutta, Carasobarbus luteus, Cyprinus carpio, Cyprinion macrostomus, Chondrostoma regium, and Carassius gibelio), MP abundance ranged from 0.2 to 1.76 MPs/individual. Contrary to our initial hypothesis, MP loads did not significantly differ among species or locations. Moreover, statistical analyses revealed no significant associations between MP ingestion and fish traits such as age, length, or weight. However, relatively high MP levels were observed in C. trutta, possibly reflecting its benthopelagic habitat and omnivorous diet. These findings point to a diffuse and widespread pattern of MP contamination, likely driven by multiple anthropogenic sources and hydrodynamic factors. The study underscores the need for targeted pollution control strategies and highlights the ecological vulnerability of the Euphrates River.
微塑料（MPs）日益被视为淡水生态系统中的新兴污染物，对生态完整性和食品安全具有影响。本研究首次对幼发拉底河（土耳其境内）的微塑料污染进行了综合评估，重点关注水、沉积物以及六种具有重要商业价值的鱼类。我们假设鱼类体内微塑料的丰度会因特定物种的摄食行为和栖息地利用情况而有所不同。为了验证这一点，在涵盖城市、农业和工业区的23个地点进行了采样。使用体视显微镜和傅里叶变换红外光谱对微塑料进行识别和定量。在52.2%的水样（0 - 6.6个微塑料/立方米）和43.5%的沉积物样本（0 - 15个微塑料/千克）中检测到了微塑料，纤维和聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯是主要形式。在鱼类物种（突吻小鲃、黄软口鱼、鲤鱼、大吻棱鮻、雷氏软口鱼和银鲫）中，微塑料丰度范围为0.2至1.76个微塑料/个体。与我们最初的假设相反，微塑料负荷在物种或地点之间没有显著差异。此外，统计分析显示微塑料摄入与鱼类特征（如年龄、长度或体重）之间没有显著关联。然而，在突吻小鲃中观察到相对较高的微塑料水平，这可能反映了其底栖中上层栖息地和杂食性饮食。这些发现表明微塑料污染呈现出分散且广泛的模式，可能是由多种人为来源和水动力因素驱动的。该研究强调了针对性污染控制策略的必要性，并突出了幼发拉底河的生态脆弱性。
