Spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in true frogs (Ranidae: <i>Pelophylax)</i> populations from Turkiye

Dursun C., Karaoğlu K., Özdemir N., Candan K., Kumlutaş Y., Ilgaz Ç., ...More

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, vol.236, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 236
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116774
  • Journal Name: ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), Artic & Antarctic Regions, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Communication Abstracts, Computer & Applied Sciences, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Public Affairs Index, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Amphibians, Food chain, Pelophylax bedriagae, Pelophylax ridibundus, Pollution, Water frogs
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs), which are of increasing concern in almost all ecosystems, continue to be an environmental threat. In the present study, the presence of MPs is investigated by using the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) obtained from the true frog individuals sampled in the past years. The sample consists of a total of 146 individuals obtained from various regions of Turkiye. The results show that MPs were found in 87 adult frog individuals. The most predominant shape of MPs found was fiber, with a predominance of transparent color, and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) was also the most abundant microplastic material. The highest amount of MPs among adult frog populations were found in the Denizli province. The size of MPs ranged between a minimum of 66 and a maximum of 3770 & mu;m. In addition, no relationship was found between the body length and weight of the frogs and the sizes of MPs. Historically, most MPs were found in samples from 1990 and the highest content in terms of both color and material was detected in 1990. MPs were detected in almost all the years studied, but microplastic abundance varied from year to year. These results can be explained by the number of samples, habitat, and feeding behavior of adult frogs.