Microplastic pollution profile and potential ecological risk of in Aksu Stream (Giresun, Türkiye)

Year 2024, Volume: 14 Issue: 2, 953 - 969, 18.06.2024

Arzu Aydın Uncumusaoğlu

https://doi.org/10.31466/kfbd.1489735

Cited By: 1

Abstract

The microplastic (MP) profile in water and sediment samples collected from five stations along Aksu Stream, which serves as a drinking water source for Giresun province, was investigated. The presence and characterization of MPs in the samples were determined using both microscopic and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy techniques. The study revealed 910 items kg-1 of MPs in sediment samples, while 0.65 items L-1 were found in water samples. The dominant color of MPs observed in the study was transparent. The most prevalent size range of MPs was between 0-50 µm, and the dominant shape in the polymer analysis of MPs collected from Aksu Stream was fiber. According to FT-IR analysis results, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were the most abundant MP polimer types detected. When assessing the potential ecological risk of MPs, it was determined that the stream falls into damage and risk categories III (High) and IV (Hazard). This research adds to the expanding body of evidence indicating that microplastic contamination is pervasive in freshwater environments. It is urgent to reduce MP waste generation in order to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Keywords

Microplastic, Fresh water, Sediment, Potential ecological risk

Project Number

FEN-BAP-A-250620-61

Aksu Çayı'nın (Giresun, Türkiye) Mikroplastik Kirlilik Profili ve Potansiyel Ekolojik Riski

Abstract

Giresun ili içme suyu teminini sağlayan, Aksu Deresi boyunca beş istasyondan toplanan, su ve sediment örneklerindeki mikroplastik (MP) profili araştırılmıştır. Örneklerde tespit edilen MP'lerin varlığı ve karakterizasyonu hem mikroskobik hem de ATR-FT-IR spektroskopisi teknikleri kullanılarak belirlenmiştir. Araştırmada, sediment örneklerinde 910 parça kg-1 MP tespit edilirken, su örneklerinde 0.65 parça L-1 MP bulunmuştur. Çalışmada gözlenen MP'lerin baskın rengi transparandır. MP'lerin en baskın boyut aralığı 0-50 µm arasında bulunurken ve Aksu Deresi'nden toplanan MP'lerin polimer şekli analizinde baskın grup olarak fiber bulunmuştur. FT-IR analiz sonuçlarına göre, PE ve PP tespit edilen en bol MP polimer türleri olmuştur. MP'lerin potansiyel ekolojik riski değerlendirildiğinde, derenin III (Yüksek) ve IV (Tehlike) hasar ve risk kategorilerine girdiği belirlenmiştir. Bu araştırma, mikroplastik kirliliğinin tatlı su ortamlarında yaygın olduğunu gösteren kanıtların artmasına katkıda bulunmaktadır. Sucul ekosistemlerin ve insan sağlığının korunması için MP atık üretiminin azaltılması acilen gerekmektedir.

Keywords

Mikroplastik, Tatlı su, Sediment, Potansiyel ekolojik risk

Ethical Statement

Etik beyan gerektiren bir çalışma değildir.

Supporting Institution

Giresun Üniversitesi

Project Number

FEN-BAP-A-250620-61

Thanks

The study was carried out with the financial support of the Giresun University Scientific Research Project (FEN-BAP-A-250620-61), Giresun, Türkiye.

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