Microplastic occurrence and ecological risk in caudate amphibians: a multi-species assessment across three decades
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL, cilt.228, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 228
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.microc.2026.119181
- Dergi Adı: MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Index Islamicus, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Amphibians, Caudata, Ecological risk, Microplastics, Newts, Salamander
- Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Microplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental pollutants, but their prevalence and attributes in caudate amphibians are inadequately characterized relative to anurans. In this study, we investigated MP patterns in five newt species (genera Ommatotriton, Lissotriton and Triturus) that were collected between 1984 and 2014. In total, 81 newt samples were examined. MPs were found in 25 samples (30.86%), with a total of 34 particles found and an average of 1.35 pieces per specimen. At the genus level, the occurrence of microplastics was 27.27% in Ommatotriton and 39.39% in Triturus. The occurrence at the species level ranged from 24.13% in O. ophryticus to 75% in T. anatolicus, while there were no MPs found in Lissotriton kosswigi. Fibers made up most of the group (79.41%), and fragments made up the second most (20.59%). Half of all MPs were black particles, while blue (17.64%) and clear (14.70%) particles were less common. PET was the most prevalent polymer (52.94%), succeeded by PP (17.64%), with other polymers such as nylon, PVA and CPE. There were significant differences in size, type, and shape between species (p < 0.05), but not in color. Multivariate analysis revealed partial overlap among species in ordination space. Environmental risk assessments revealed significant heterogeneity among species. O. nesterovi had the highest Polymer Hazard Index (PHI = 230.1) and Potential Ecological Hazard Index (PERI = 414.18), indicating a high ecological hazard level. However, other species were classified as low risk. These results demonstrate that tailed amphibians have been exposed to microplastics for decades, and there are clear differences between species in terms of contamination patterns and the resulting ecological concerns. This study offers one of the most extensive multi-species evaluations of MPs in newts to date and underscores the potential of Caudata as bioindicators of freshwater plastic pollution.