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Microplastic Contamination in the Sakarya River, a Major Anatolian River: Evidence from Water and Sediment
Summary
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) scattered throughout Turkey's Sakarya River, in both the water and the riverbed sediment, with the highest amounts showing up near densely populated areas. This matters because rivers like this one carry drinking water and support fish that people eat, meaning these plastic particles could be making their way into our food and water supply, though more research is needed to understand the exact health impact. The study estimates the river carries a massive amount of microplastic pollution each year, highlighting the need for better waste management to keep plastics out of our waterways in the first place.
Rivers are important pathways for the transport of microplastics (MPs) from terrestrial environments to aquatic ecosystems; however, data from major freshwater systems in Türkiye remain limited. This study aimed to determine the abundance, characteristics, and transport potential of MPs in the Sakarya River, one of the largest freshwater systems in Türkiye. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from 10 stations along approximately 800 km of the river. MPs were quantified and characterized according to their size, shape, colour, and polymer type. Annual transport was estimated using instantaneous concentrations and long-term average flow rates. Microplastic abundance ranged from 0–166.7 particles/m3 in surface water and 0–40 particles/kg in sediment. Higher concentrations were observed downstream of major tributaries draining densely populated areas. When microplastic quantity data obtained from a single time are combined with average streamflow data, it has been estimated that the annual microplastic transport in the Sakarya River could be roughly 5.31011. Microplastics were detected in both water and sediment along much of the Sakarya River continuum. These findings provide critical information for developing environmentally sound waste management practices and long-term environmental planning strategies.