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Assessing microplastic pollution in a river basin: A multidisciplinary study on circularity, sustainability, and socio-economic impacts
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This multidisciplinary study assessed microplastic pollution in a river basin along Turkey's Black Sea coast, linking contamination levels to local economic activities and seasonal rainfall patterns. The research found concerning pollution levels and connected them to insufficient waste management practices in the region. The study highlights how socioeconomic factors drive microplastic contamination in freshwater that communities depend on for drinking water and food.
Plastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental challenge worldwide, posing serious threats to ecosystems and human health. This study seeks to explore the interplay among circularity, sustainability, and the release of microplastics within the freshwater ecosystems situated along the western Black Sea coast- Düzce, Türkiye. Employing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates environmental science, economics, and policy analysis, the research examines the current state of plastic pollution in the region, considering diverse land uses and socio-economic lifestyles. Conducted over four different seasons, the current study identifies the prevailing types of microplastics in the region. Fibers dominate, comprising 86.7% in each season, followed by film and fragments at 7.7% and 7.0%, respectively. Notably, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) emerges as the primary polymer types. The distribution of polymer types varies across different land uses within the region, emphasizing the influential role of land use in shaping the abundance polymer composition. The comprehensive assessment of pollution, as reflected in the overall pollution load index (PLI) of the Melen River indicating a concerning level of pollution (PLI>1). Finally, the study unveiled the relationship between socio-economic activities as well as the seasonal precipitation patterns, and microplastic contamination in the region. This underscored the importance of site-specific mitigation measures on reducing the amount of microplastics. Lastly, incorporating sustainable practices within the circular economy framework fosters a harmonious balance between economic development and environmental protection in Türkiye.
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Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Risk Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in a River Catchment: Susurluk Sub-Basin, Türkiye
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Researchers conducted seasonal sampling across 11 sites in the Susurluk sub-basin in Turkey, finding that microplastic concentrations in river water and sediments peaked downstream of urban and agricultural zones, with pollution risk indices indicating that land use type more strongly predicted contamination levels than seasonal variation.
Microplastic Pollution in Turkish Aquatic Ecosystems: Sources, Characteristics, Implications, and Mitigation Strategies
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This systematic review surveys microplastic pollution across Turkish rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. It found widespread contamination from textile fibers, packaging fragments, and agricultural films, with potential implications for local seafood safety and drinking water quality.
Microplastic pollution in two remote rivers of Türkiye
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Researchers documented microplastic pollution in two remote rivers of Turkey, finding that even waterways far from major urban centers contain significant microplastic contamination, highlighting the widespread reach of plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
Effects of Industrial and Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants on Microplastic Pollution in an Urban River in Türkiye
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Seasonal monitoring of two Turkish urban rivers found microplastic concentrations up to 146 particles per liter in water and 136,177 particles per kilogram in sediment, with the highest levels near wastewater treatment plant outfalls. Wastewater treatment plants are major chokepoints for microplastic pollution — without upgrades to remove plastics, they become a direct pipeline from human activity to aquatic ecosystems.
Riverine microplastic discharge along the southern Black Sea coast of Türkiye
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Researchers sampled 29 rivers flowing into the southern Black Sea coast of Turkey and found microplastics present in all of them, with an average concentration of about 9.6 particles per cubic meter. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the most common types, and fibers were the dominant shape, likely originating from textile and domestic wastewater. The study highlights that rivers are a significant pathway for microplastic pollution entering the Black Sea.
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