First Evaluation of Microplastic Pollution in the Surface Waters of the Lake Kovada (Isparta, Türkiye)

Öz

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants of global concern due to their persistence, ubiquity, and ecological risks. Although freshwater ecosystems have received increasing attention, data from protected non-urban lakes remain limited. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of MP pollution in Lake Kovada, a protected freshwater body in the Western Mediterranean Basin of Türkiye. Surface water samples were collected from three stations during the summer and autumn of 2024 using standardized procedures to minimize contamination. MPs were morphologically characterized under a stereomicroscope and chemically identified using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. MP abundance was 442 particles/m², with the highest at the Kovada Canal–Lake junction (K1: 167 particles/m²) and the lowest at K3 (29 particles/m²). Filaments and fragments were the most frequent morphotypes, predominantly black and red in color. Among the identified polymers, polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) exhibited the highest occurrence. Compared to other freshwater systems, MP levels were relatively low, likely due to the lake’s National Park status, rural location, and limited industrial/agricultural activity. However, nearby agriculture, recreation, and the hydrological connection to Lake Eğirdir likely contribute to filament-rich MP inputs via atmospheric fallout and runoff. Seasonal variations in MP abundance and composition indicate combined impacts of human activity and natural processes such as precipitation and temperature shifts. The study highlights the importance of monitoring MP pollution even in relatively undisturbed ecosystems and offers valuable baseline data for environmental protection strategies in the region.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• : Microplastic
• Water pollution
• Lake Kovada
• Türkiye

Kovada Gölü (Isparta, Türkiye) Yüzey Sularında Mikroplastik Kirliliğinin İlk Değerlendirmesi

Öz

Mikroplastikler (MP’ler), kalıcılıkları, her yerde bulunabilirlikleri ve ekolojik riskleri nedeniyle küresel ölçekte endişe yaratan yeni ortaya çıkan kirleticilerdir. Tatlı su ekosistemleri son yıllarda artan bir ilgi görmesine rağmen, koruma altındaki kentsel olmayan göllerle ilgili veriler hâlâ sınırlıdır. Bu çalışma, Türkiye’nin Batı Akdeniz Havzası’nda yer alan koruma altındaki bir tatlı su kütlesi olan Kovada Gölü’ndeki MP kirliliğinin ilk kapsamlı değerlendirmesini sunmaktadır. Yüzey suyu örnekleri, 2024 yılı yaz ve sonbahar dönemlerinde üç istasyondan alınmış ve kontaminasyonu en aza indirmek için standartlaştırılmış yöntemler kullanılmıştır. MPler, stereo mikroskop altında morfolojik olarak karakterize edilmiş ve ATR-FTIR spektroskopisi kullanılarak kimyasal olarak tanımlanmıştır. Ortalama MP bolluğu 442 parçacık/m² olarak belirlenmiş; en yüksek yoğunluk Kovada Kanalı–Göl birleşiminde (K1: 167 parçacık/m²), en düşük ise K3 istasyonunda (29 parçacık/m²) tespit edilmiştir. Filament ve parçacık (fragment) tipleri en yaygın morfotipler olup, ağırlıklı olarak siyah ve kırmızı renklidir. Belirlenen polimerler arasında polietilen (PE) ve polietilen tereftalat (PET) en yüksek oranda görülmüştür. Diğer tatlı su sistemleriyle karşılaştırıldığında MP seviyeleri nispeten düşük bulunmuştur; bu durum gölün Milli Park statüsü, kırsal konumu ve sınırlı endüstriyel/tarımsal faaliyetleriyle ilişkilendirilmektedir. Bununla birlikte, yakın çevredeki tarımsal faaliyetler, rekreasyonel kullanımlar ve Kovada Gölü’nün Eğirdir Gölü ile olan hidrolik bağlantısı, atmosferik taşınım ve yüzey akışı yoluyla özellikle filament tipi MP girişine katkı sağlamaktadır. MP bolluğu ve bileşimindeki mevsimsel değişimler, insan faaliyetleri ile yağış ve sıcaklık değişimleri gibi doğal süreçlerin ortak etkisini yansıtmaktadır. Bu çalışma, nispeten bozulmamış ekosistemlerde bile mikroplastik kirliliğinin izlenmesinin önemini vurgulamakta ve bölgedeki çevresel koruma stratejileri için değerli bir başlangıç verisi sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mikroplastik
• Su Kirliliği
• Kovada Gölü
• Türkiye

Kaynakça

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