Microplastics in Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Feces from Lake Erçek (Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye): Occurrence, Temporal Variation, and Polymer Characterization

TL;DR

This study finds microplastics in the feces of Greylag Geese at Lake Erçek, showing their presence and changes over time, with implications for wetland wildlife health.

Contribution

The study introduces a non-invasive feces-based method to monitor microplastic exposure in inland wetland waterbirds.

Findings

Microplastics were found in goose feces with a peak in late autumn-early winter.

Fibers were the most common MP type, followed by fragments and pellets.

Polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride were identified as the main polymers.

Abstract

Background: Microplastics (MPs; <5 mm) are pervasive contaminants that can compromise freshwater wetland integrity and wildlife health, yet field evidence from inland systems and non-invasive biomonitoring remains limited. To address this gap, we provide a non-invasive, feces-based baseline for a key wintering waterbird in an inland soda-lake wetland of Türkiye, supported by polymer confirmation. Methods: We evaluated MP occurrence in fecal deposits of the Greylag Goose (Anser anser), a key wintering waterbird at Lake Erçek (Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye), using non-invasive sampling across five periods (October 2024–February 2025). We collected 400 fecal deposits and pooled them into five time-specific composite samples. Accordingly, temporal comparisons are presented descriptively at the composite (period) level rather than as individual-level statistical inference and quantified suspected MPs by type, shape, size, and color; a representative subset (>300 µm; ~20%) was polymer-confirmed by FT-IR, and particle surfaces were examined by SEM–EDX. Results: In total, 959 suspected MP items were recovered, corresponding to an estimated 1.75–2.85 items per fecal deposit (composite-derived; mean 2.40). MP counts peaked in late autumn–early winter (Time 2–Time 3) and declined toward late winter (Time 5). Fibers predominated (37.22%), followed by fragments (30.55%) and pellets (18.77%); the most frequent size class was 100–300 µm (30.25%), and white/transparent particles were most common (38.52%). FT-IR identified polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride, while SEM–EDX indicated weathered polymeric surfaces. Conclusions: These findings provide baseline evidence of MP exposure in an inland wetland waterbird and support feces-based monitoring for comparative assessments.

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