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Determination of Seasonal Microplastic pollutıon Variation in Aquatic Environments: Case Study from İskenderun Technical University Pond
Summary
Microplastic abundance in a university pond in Turkey ranged from 0.5 to 10.8 particles per liter and varied significantly by season, with rainfall and stormwater runoff being the main drivers of contamination. Black polyester and polypropylene fibers under 1 mm were the most common type found. The study demonstrates that even small, semi-enclosed inland water bodies can accumulate significant microplastic loads and that seasonal monitoring is needed to accurately characterize contamination levels.
Although microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems has been a critical issue, a significant portion of previous studies has been limited to marine environments. Few studies have evaluated MP abundance in inland waters, and those that exist often ignore seasonal variations. This study aimed to assess the seasonal variations in microplastic (MP) abundance in the İskenderun Technical University (İSTE) Pond. MP abundance ranged from 0.5 MPs/L to 10.8 MPs/L, with a mean of 3.7 MPs/L. Fiber-shaped, black-colored, small-sized (< 1000 μm) MPs were commonly found on the surface water. Statistical analysis confirmed significant variations in MP abundance across seasons. The abundance of MPs in the surface water correlated with the mean annual precipitation. Atmospheric deposition and storm water runoff were major contributors to microplastic pollution in the pond. PP and PET particles were identified. The findings of this study contains preliminary results that can be used in the development of future legislations and regulations.