Mediterranean dirty edge: High level of meso and macroplastics pollution on the Turkish coast. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gündoğdu, Sedat; Çevik, Cem
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 255(2019)Part 3
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Plastic pollution -- Mediterranean sea -- Coastal area -- Turkish coasts -- Iskenderun bay -- Beach; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113351
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: It has become apparent that the coastal zones of aquatic environments are significantly affected by plastics pollution. The accumulation of marine plastic litter on beaches is an important problem due to their significant environmental impacts. In this study, 13 coastal areas in Iskenderun Bay (NE Levantine coast of Turkey) were sampled in May 2018 to investigate meso and macroplastic (0.5–123.4 cm) pollution. A total of 1424 meso and macroplastic items in five categories (filament, film, foam, fragments, and pellets) were collected. The average meso and macroplastic concentration was 12.2 ± 3.5 pcs m −2 (12.3 ± 3.5 g m −2 ) and the mean size for all stations was 3.7 ± 0.16 cm. The highest meso and macroplastic concentration was found in the Dörtyol location (46.2 ± 7.6 pcs m −2 ) and the lowest concentration was found in the Y. Lagün location (2.3 ± 0.2 pcs m −2 ). Plastics were separated into 14 different groups based on their origins. The most dominant type was hard plastics (broken, fragmented, and deformed) with 59.8% and greenhouse coverage films with 11%. Our results shows that regardless their source plastics fluxes at beaches from various pathways. Results of this study provide useful information for designing monitoring strategies and setting management goals. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The coasts of the Iskenderun Bay are extremely affected by plastic pollution. There was an average of 12.2 ± 3.5 pcs m −2 and 12.3 ± 3.5 gr m −2 plastics. The majority of plastics (59.4%) were smaller than 2.5 cm. Highest plastics concentration was found in the Dörtyol location with 46.2 ± 7.6 pcs m −2 .