Scientists examine microplastic particles under laboratory conditions as part of aquaculture research. (AA photo)
April 5, 2026 03:01 AM GMT+03:00
MMicroplastics can reduce the output of aquaculture systems by up to 18%, according to a new study by researchers at Istanbul University, warning that urgent action is needed to protect sustainable food production.
Control model shows production losses
The study, conducted by Professors Nuray Erkan and Gokhan Tunceli from the Faculty of Aquatic Sciences at Istanbul University, investigated how exposure to microplastics affects farmed aquatic species within a controlled production system.
The research team modeled an integrated multitrophic aquaculture system, a method that combines different species throughout the food chain to mimic natural ecosystems and improve efficiency. In this setting, rainbow trout, freshwater mussels, and duckweed (a small floating aquatic plant) were farmed together.
Scientists are analyzing the impact of microplastics on aquatic production systems in the lab. (AA photo)
The study, published in Aquaculture International, exposed the system to 10-20 micrometer polyethylene microplastics through feed and water for 45 days. This was followed by a 45-day purification phase to allow the organisms to remove the contaminants.
When microplastics were present in both feed and water, the total biomass production of the system decreased by 18%. The researchers also observed that fish growth performance decreased at certain stages compared to the control group, and duckweed production decreased as well.
Although mussels did not show a consistent decrease in filtration capacity, the overall efficiency of the system was negatively affected, indicating that microplastics can disrupt production balance, even if the impact appears to be low for some species.
The impact spreads throughout the food chain
The study also found that microplastics can move between species through the food chain, changing the distribution of production within the system.
The researchers noted that after the exposure ended, the growth trends among the organisms began to converge again, but the presence of microplastics was already changing the performance and output patterns of the system.
Fluorescent microplastics are visualized under ultraviolet light in a laboratory analytical setup. (AA photo)
Environmental pressures meet food security concerns
Commenting on the findings, Professor Elkann cited increasing environmental pollution as a growing threat to aquatic food sources around the world.
“This environmental pollution threatens our most important resource, our aquatic food sources,” she said, emphasizing that microplastics primarily occur on land and then flow into rivers, oceans and oceans.
He added that fish and other seafood remain an essential part of the world’s food supply, which means pollution risks extend beyond ecosystems to human health.
A model that can rebuild sustainable production
The researchers emphasized that the integrated system was designed to reflect natural ecological cycles, allowing them to simultaneously observe how pollutants affect different trophic levels.
Erkan said the project’s results could help open new avenues for sustainable food production, noting that the system could also contribute to water efficiency and safer production methods.
Microplastic particles are observed on laboratory filters during controlled tests. (AA photo)
Call for preventive measures as pollution rises
Tuncheri stressed that microplastic pollution is on the rise and, if left unchecked, could begin to directly limit production.
He stressed that the study initially focused on system efficiency and that the 18% loss emerged as a key finding, adding that future research will expand to include other types of plastics such as polypropylene and polystyrene.
According to Tuncheri, preventing microplastic pollution is essential because its effects extend beyond fish to other organisms in the food chain and can disrupt growth, digestion, and ultimately the nutritional value of seafood.
April 5, 2026 03:01 AM GMT+03:00
