Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Symposium, İstanbul, Türkiye, 17 - 19 Temmuz 2023, ss.10
Amphibians are dual inhabitants of aquatic and terrestrial
environments, which makes them valuable indicators of pollution levels in both
types of habitats. In this study, we aimed to determine the microplastic (MP)
accumulation in the digestive system of a population (n=11; Eğirdir Lake,
Isparta province, Türkiye) of Pelophylax caralitanus, which is endemic
to the lakes region in Türkiye. The species has been considered Near
Threatened by the IUCN since 2008. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of adult
frogs was removed using a stainless steel dissection set and its weight was
determined. Next, each GIT was placed in a flask added with 150 mL of 30% H2O2.
Flasks were closed with aluminum foil and kept at 65 °C at 80 rpm for three
days. Samples were passed through a Whatman GF/C (1.2 μm pore size, 47 mm Ø,
Whatman GmbH) filter using a vacuum pump. To confirm the origin of the polymer,
a total of 12 particles, randomly selected from those visually identified as
MP, were examined by FT-IR (Fourier Transform-Infrared) spectroscopic analysis
using a PerkinElmer Spectrum 100 spectrophotometer coupled with ATR (Attenuated
Total Reflection). All of the MPs detected were fiber in terms of shape. The
distribution of the 12 particles obtained in terms of MP type was determined as
25% PCT, 25% EVA, 17% PD, 17% PR, 8% PET, 8% PVA. The minimum polymer length
was 0.09 µm, the maximum polymer length was 1.53 µm and the average length was
0.39 µm.