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Microplastic distribution in the surface water and sediment of the Ergene River
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Researchers mapped microplastic pollution in the water and sediment of the Ergene River in Turkey, an area heavily affected by industrial activity. They found higher concentrations in sediment than in surface water, with fibers being the most common shape, suggesting textile industry sources. The study suggests that river flow patterns and proximity to industrial zones strongly influence where microplastics accumulate.
Rivers are major transport pathways for microplastics to reach the oceans. Although gained much attention over the last few years, there is still a relatively lack of knowledge on microplastics in rivers. This study aims to investigate (i) spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in an industrially polluted river, (ii) the relationship of microplastic abundance with river's morphological and hydrodynamic characteristics (iii) the potential sources of microplastics inferred from the particle characteristics including shape, size, color and type. To achieve these aims, water and sediment samples were collected from six sites upstream of the Ergene River in May 2019 and Sep 2020. According to the results, surface water had an average concentration of 4.65 ± 2.06 and 6.90 ± 5.16 items L (mean ± standard deviation, n = 12), respectively for the May 2019 and September 2020 periods, whereas 97.90 ± 71.72 and 277.76 ± 207.21 items kg (n = 18) were observed for the sediment compartment, respectively. Microplastic levels in water correlated positively with stream depth but negatively with channel width. Fibers were the dominating shape both in water (88%) and sediment (70%) and majority of the particles were black (49% in water and 39% in sediment) and blue (25% in water and 18% in sediment). According to Raman spectroscopic analysis, polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 28%) and polyamide (PA, 27%) were dominating polymers in water, while polystyrene (PS, 56%) were dominant in sediment. Compared to many other rivers, the Ergene River had excessive levels of microplastics. The research indicated that textile industries and effluents from organized industrial zones were the foremost contributor of microplastics in the river.
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Researchers monitored microplastic pollution in sediment samples from 20 stations along the Coruh River in northeastern Turkey. The study found that areas near human settlements showed notably higher microplastic concentrations, with fiber-shaped particles being the most common type, confirming that population density and urban activity are key drivers of river sediment contamination.
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Researchers sampled water and sediment at 10 stations along approximately 800 km of the Sakarya River in Turkey, finding microplastic concentrations up to 166.7 particles/m³ in surface water with PET and PVC dominant, and estimating annual transport of approximately 10¹¹ particles to downstream environments.
Microplastic pollution levels in the surface water and sediment of Orontes basin: Urgent risk for endangered species
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the surface water and sediment of the Orontes Basin in Turkey, which serves as critical habitat for endangered species. They found an average of 3.2 microplastics per liter in surface water and 456 per kilogram in sediment, with fiber shapes dominating at 89%. The study found that microplastic abundance in surface water increased dramatically during flood periods, raising concerns about impacts on vulnerable aquatic species.
Microplastic pollution in two remote rivers of Türkiye
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