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

Abstract

In this study, the concentration, type, size, and color of MPs in multiple environmental compartments was investigated in Sürgü Dam Reservoir. The MP concentrations in surface water were between 106.63 and 200 par.m-3. The MP concentrations in sediment were between 760 and 1.440 par.m-2. A total of 44 MPs, ranging from 0 to 3 samples per fish with averaging 0.41 MPs/individual, were extracted from gastrointestinal tracts of fish. Fibers were the predominant type of MPs in surface water, sediment and fish. The most common MP sizes were 1-2 mm in surface water, 0.2-1 mm in sediment and in fish. The dominant color of detected MPs was black in surface water and transparent in sediment and fish. Polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene were the major polymer types of the selected particles. Of the two stations, station 1 showed a higher MP concentration level. The results of this study showed the MP concentration in SDR is relatively moderate in sediment although it is lower in fish and surface water samples. This data may assist in extending our knowledge regarding MPs pollution in freshwater systems and provides a baseline for future monitoring and assessment MPs of SDR.