Microplastic pollution in the Black Sea Coast of the Anatolian side of Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate plastic pollution in the Black Sea Coast of the Anatolian side of Istanbul, Turkey. In the study, the plastic particles in the collected samples (beach sands) were classified depending on size. The abundance of microplastics (1-5 mm) and large plastics (>5 mm) by number and weight were determined. The spatial and seasonal variations in the abundance by number and weight were also reported. The highest abundances by number were found at Riva station, whereas the lowest abundances by number were found at Sile Port.