Micro- and mesoplastics in Northeast Levantine coast of Turkey: The preliminary results from surface samples. Issue 1 (15th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gündoğdu, Sedat; Çevik, Cem
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 118:Issue 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 341
• Page End: 347
• Publication Date: 2017-05-15
• Subjects: Microplastic -- Mesoplastic -- Marine litter -- Levantine Sea -- Mersin Bay -- Iskenderun Bay; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The determination of the microplastic distribution will be beneficial as a measure of the potential effects on the environment. The Mediterranean Sea had a high risk of pollution as it was enclosed by highly populated and industrialized countries. Here, we determined the level of micro- and mesoplastic pollution in Iskenderun and Mersin Bays, located in the Northeastern Levantine coast of Turkey. The average level of both micro- and mesoplastic was determined to be 0.376 item/m 2 at seven stations. The highest level was determined in Mersin Bay at the mouth of the Seyhan river (Station no. 7, with 906 items), and the lowest level was found in Station no. 4 in Iskenderun Bay (78 items). As a result of this study, it was determined that the microplastic pollution level in the Mediterranean coast of Turkey was similar to the other regions of the Mediterranean Sea. Highlights: High micro and mesoplastic pollution was found in the surface waters of the NE Levantine coasts of Turkey. There is strong negative correlation between microplastic concentration and distance from river mouth. Mersin Bay consists higher microplastic concentration than Iskenderun Bay.