A groundbreaking scientific study conducted in Turkiye’s eastern province of Erzurum has revealed the presence of microplastic particles in the brains of fish, raising concerns about environmental pollution and its potential impacts on human health.
The research, led by Professor Muhammed Atamanalp from the Faculty of Fisheries at Ataturk University, has been ongoing for two years. Atamanalp’s team, consisting of seven researchers, collected 300 fish, 200 lobsters, and 150 freshwater mussels from various water sources. Detailed laboratory analyses detected microplastic particles in the brains of the fish, marking a significant discovery in the field of environmental science.
Disposable plastics, commonly discarded in nature, break down into microplastic particles in water due to the effects of waves, sunlight, and wind. These particles are ingested by aquatic creatures and can eventually enter the human food chain. “Plastics are much more preferred by people due to their ease of use,” Atamanalp told Anadolu Agency (AA). He emphasized the serious environmental and health risks posed by the irresponsible use of plastics.
“The intensive use of disposable materials due to their practicality and their irresponsible release into the environment causes them to reach water resources,” Atamanalp explained. “After reaching water sources, these plastics disintegrate into particles that cannot be easily seen by the naked eye. Aquatic creatures mistake these particles for food and consume and store them in their bodies. We detected microplastic particles in fish brains for the first time in our studies. With the presence of these particles in the brain, we have shown that they are carried from the blood to other organs.”
Atamanalp highlighted that while the study revealed microplastic accumulation in various organs of fish, the levels in muscle tissue consumed by humans are not currently harmful. However, significant amounts of microplastics were found in the liver and kidneys of the fish.
The research also detected microplastics in lobsters and mussels. Mussels, in particular, store these particles in their tissues due to their diet, passing them on to humans who consume them. Atamanalp stressed the need for responsible disposal and recycling of plastic materials to mitigate these risks.
“Since there is an inevitable situation from their use, we say that at least let’s not leave them in the environment as waste. Let’s be sure to include them in the recycling system,” he urged. “If we act with this awareness, we will protect our environment, our water resources, the aquatic creatures in them, and ultimately human health.”
The study underscores the importance of addressing plastic pollution and calls for increased awareness and action to protect both the environment and public health.