Exploring microplastic pollution in a Mediterranean river: The role of introduced species as bioindicators.

ABSTRACT: Studies of plastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems and their biota remain scarce, despite the fact that the vast majority of plastic waste initially passes through lotic ecosystems. Biomonitoring provides valuable information regarding plastic pollution and microplastic threats to biota and human health. The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of a non-indigenous fish species as a bioindicator of microplastic pollution in an Eastern Mediterranean River. Our study area is located in a heavily modified and vastly impacted urban river which flows through the largest part of the Metropolitan area of Athens, Greece. We used an introduced chub species (Squalius vardarensis) to assess microplastic ingestion in the river. The results indicated moderate occurrence and a

SUBMITTER: Koutsikos N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10114205 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature