Detection and Characterization of Airborne Microplastics in Industrial and Landfill Regions of Ankara (Türkiye) Using Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr.

Öz

Despite being a recently recognized environmental concern, the terrestrial dispersion of airborne microplastics (MPs) pollution remains uncertain. This study investigates airborne microplastic contamination in industrial zones and a landfill area of Ankara (Türkiye) using the epiphytic lichen Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. as a passive bioindicator. Lichen samples were collected from three organized industrial zones, a municipal landfill. Microplastics were extracted using a modified wet peroxide oxidation method and characterized by stereomicroscopy, Rose Bengal staining, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. A total of 566 microplastic particles were identified, predominantly as microfibers, indicating strong contributions from textile-related and industrial sources. Microplastic abundance and density varied markedly among sites, with the highest levels observed at Sincan Organized Industrial Zone, followed by Ostim Organized Industrial Zone, the landfill site, and Polatlı Organized Industrial Zone. FT-IR analysis revealed a diverse polymer assemblage, including PE, PP, PET, PS, PVC, PA, PAN, PC, PMMA, PU, and PTFE. Although microplastics were also detected at reference lichen (Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach.), their lower abundance and reduced polymer diversity suggest background deposition and possible long-range atmospheric transport. These findings demonstrate the influence of industrial activity and waste-related sources on airborne microplastic contamination and confirm X. parietina as a suitable bioindicator for atmospheric microplastic biomonitoring.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Microplastic
• Atmospheric pollution
• Lichen
• Ankara
• Xanthoria parietina

Ankara’daki Endüstriyel ve Düzenli Depolama Alanlarında Havada Taşınan Mikroplastiklerin Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. ile Belirlenmesi

Öz

Havada taşınan mikroplastiklerin (MP’ler) karasal ortamlara yayılımı, çevresel bir sorun olarak yakın zamanda tanınmasına rağmen hâlen belirsizliğini korumaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Ankara’daki (Türkiye) endüstriyel bölgeler ile bir düzenli depolama alanında atmosferik mikroplastik kirliliği, pasif biyoindikatör olarak epifitik liken Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. kullanılarak araştırılmıştır. Liken örnekleri üç organize sanayi bölgesi ile bir belediye katı atık düzenli depolama sahasından toplanmıştır. Mikroplastikler, modifiye edilmiş ıslak peroksit oksidasyon yöntemi ile ekstrakte edilmiş ve stereomikroskop, Rose Bengal boyaması ve Fourier Dönüşümlü Kızılötesi (FT-IR) spektroskopisi kullanılarak karakterize edilmiştir. Toplamda 566 mikroplastik parçacık tespit edilmiş olup, bunların büyük çoğunluğunu mikrofiberler oluşturmuştur. Bu durum, tekstil kaynaklı faaliyetler ile endüstriyel girdilerin önemli katkı sağladığını göstermektedir. Mikroplastik bolluğu ve yoğunluğu örnekleme alanları arasında belirgin farklılıklar sergilemiş; en yüksek değerler Sincan Organize Sanayi Bölgesi’nde, ardından Ostim Organize Sanayi Bölgesi, düzenli depolama sahası ve Polatlı Organize Sanayi Bölgesi’nde belirlenmiştir. FT-IR analizleri, PE, PP, PET, PS, PVC, PA, PAN, PC, PMMA, PU ve PTFE gibi farklı polimer türlerinin varlığını ortaya koymuştur. Referans liken örneklerinde (Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach.) de mikroplastiklere rastlanmakla birlikte, daha düşük bolluk ve sınırlı polimer çeşitliliği, arka plan birikimini ve olası uzun menzilli atmosferik taşınımı işaret etmektedir. Elde edilen bulgular, endüstriyel faaliyetler ve atık kaynaklı girdilerin atmosferik mikroplastik kirliliği üzerindeki etkisini ortaya koymakta ve X. parietina’nın atmosferik mikroplastik biyoizleme için uygun bir biyoindikatör olduğunu doğrulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mikroplastik
• Atmosferik kirlilik
• Liken
• Ankara
• Xanthoria parietina

Kaynakça

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