Source: Turkiye Today, 4/5/26
"Microplastics can reduce production in aquaculture systems by as much as 18%, according to a new study by researchers from Istanbul University, who warn that urgent measures are needed to protect sustainable food production. The research, carried out by Professor Nuray Erkan and Gokhan Tuncelli at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, examined how microplastic exposure affects farmed aquatic species within a controlled production system. The team modeled an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system, a method that combines different species across the food chain to mimic natural ecosystems and improve efficiency. In this setup, rainbow trout, freshwater mussels, and duckweed (a small floating aquatic plant) were cultivated together. Published in Aquaculture International, the study exposed systems to 10–20 micrometer polyethylene microplastics through feed and water for 45 days. This was followed by a 45-day depuration phase to allow organisms to clear the contaminants. When microplastics were present in both feed and water, the system’s total biomass production dropped by 18%. Researchers also observed that fish growth performance declined at certain stages compared to the control group, while duckweed production decreased as well. Although mussels did not show a consistent drop in filtration capacity, the overall efficiency of the system was negatively affected, indicating that microplastics can disrupt production balance even when some species appear less impacted."
Read the full study at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-026-02508-z.