A comprehensive Turkish study reveals high microplastic pollution in key freshwater lakes, threatening biodiversity and water safety across protected regions.
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| Microplastics found in Turkiye’s protected lakes pose a serious threat to water ecosystems. Researchers warn of pollution’s impact on health and sustainability. Symbolic Image: CH |
RIZE, Turkiye — May 13, 2025:
A groundbreaking environmental study conducted by researchers at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University has revealed serious levels of microplastic contamination in seven freshwater lakes across Turkiye. The research, which includes data from legally protected natural areas, highlights the scale and urgency of the pollution crisis affecting the country’s aquatic ecosystems.
Led by Professor Kenan Gedik, a fisheries engineer and Director of the university’s Technical Sciences Vocational School, the team collected and analyzed both surface water and sediment samples from seven lakes in different regions: Borcka Dam Lake, Borcka Karagol, and Savsat Karagol in Artvin; Hazar Lake in Elazıg; Kurtun Dam Lake in Gumushane; and Sera Lake and Uzungol in Trabzon.
Findings showed Borcka Dam Lake with the highest waterborne microplastic concentration at 0.69 particles per liter, while Savsat Karagol registered the highest contamination in sediments with 344 particles per kilogram. Interestingly, Savsat Karagol had the lowest water contamination (0.14 particles per liter), possibly due to its closed hydrological system, which allows microplastics to accumulate in sediment.
Microplastic types were classified as fragments and fibers. Water samples consisted of 82.4% fragments and 17.6% fibers, while sediment samples were nearly evenly split—51% fibers and 49% fragments. Common polymers detected included polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, and polystyrene, typically used in packaging, textiles, and fishing equipment.
According to Prof. Gedik, human activity—especially tourism, recreational fishing, and improper waste disposal—is the main driver behind this pollution. Even protected sites like Savsat Karagol, which are frequented by tourists, are not immune. Waste from picnics, unregulated visits, and local fishing contribute directly to contamination.
Gedik emphasized the long-term ecological risks, noting that microplastics can linger in aquatic systems for decades while slowly releasing harmful chemicals. “Microplastics disrupt biodiversity, damage water quality, and interfere with natural ecosystem recovery,” he said.
The study also found a correlation between lake usage patterns and pollution severity. For instance, Borcka Dam Lake, which supports significant fishing activity, exhibited greater microplastic presence than more secluded or less-used bodies of water.
“This research is among Turkiye’s most geographically extensive microplastic assessments,” Gedik stated. “It provides a crucial scientific foundation for national policy and public awareness campaigns aimed at combating freshwater pollution.”
Gedik urged immediate public and governmental action, stressing the growing water scarcity issue in Turkiye. “People assume we have an abundance of water,” he said. “But clean, usable freshwater is limited—and it’s vanishing faster due to pollutants like microplastics.”
He concluded with a stark warning: “If we fail to act now, we risk irreversibly damaging our most vital ecosystems and compromising future water security for generations to come.”