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Microplastic pollution in the Black Sea Coast of the Anatolian side of Istanbul, Turkey
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Researchers found tiny plastic bits and larger plastic debris scattered across beaches on Istanbul's Black Sea coast, with pollution levels varying a lot depending on location and time of year. This matters because plastic on beaches doesn't stay put, it breaks down further, washes into the sea, and can end up in seafood we eat, making coastal plastic pollution a starting point for microplastics potentially reaching our dinner plates.
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.
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Microplastic concentration in the sediment of the Istanbul Strait (the Sea of Marmara, Türkiye)
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Researchers found high levels of microplastic pollution in the sediment of the Istanbul Strait, with concentrations ranging from 144 to 700 particles per kilogram of dry sediment, predominantly as tiny fibers less than 1 mm in size. The findings suggest that dense shipping traffic, tourism, and a population of 20 million all contribute to contamination of this critical waterway.
Microplastic Pollution in the Black Sea: An Overview of the Current Situation
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Researchers reviewed the state of microplastic pollution in the Black Sea, one of the world's most enclosed and rapidly polluted seas, finding growing evidence of contamination across the water column and marine life. The findings raise concerns about the health of marine ecosystems and communities that depend on the Black Sea for food and livelihoods.
Occurrence of Microplastic Pollution in Coastal Areas
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Microplastic pollution in coastal areas is accelerating in parallel with global plastic production, with aquatic ecosystems projected to bear an increasing burden of contamination. The ubiquity of coastal microplastics poses direct risks to marine biodiversity and indirect risks to human health through seafood consumption.
Microplastics Pollution in Coastal Zones
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Researchers reviewed microplastic pollution dynamics in coastal zones, finding that land-derived plastics degrade into micro- and nanoplastics under environmental weathering and accumulate along coastlines, where they adsorb chemical contaminants and pose layered risks to marine organisms and coastal communities.
Spatial Distribution and Contamination of Microplastics in Surface Sediments: A Case Study from Menekşe Beach, Marmara Sea, Türkiye
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Researchers analyzed microplastic abundance in beach sediments at Menekse Beach on Turkey's Marmara Sea, finding mean concentrations of over 25,000 items/kg—notably higher when detected by fluorescent microscopy than standard stereomicroscopy—with fragments and fine-grained sediments dominating. The high contamination levels linked to wastewater discharge and recreational activities in Istanbul illustrate how densely populated coastal cities act as major microplastic sinks in semi-enclosed seas.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.