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High level of micro-plastic pollution in the Iskenderun Bay NE Levantine coast of Turkey
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Extremely high concentrations of microplastics were found in surface waters of Iskenderun Bay, Turkey—over 1 million particles per square kilometer—among the highest recorded in the Mediterranean. The bay's location near heavily industrialized and populated areas explains the severe contamination.
Microplastic pollution is a global problem. The Mediterranean Sea, especially, has high pressure of pollution as it is enclosed by highly populated and industrialized countries. In this study, we have determined the level of microplastic pollution in the Iskenderun Bay, located in the Northeastern Levantine coast of Turkey. The average level of microplastic has been determined to be 1,067,120 particles/km 2 at fourteen stations. The highest level has been determined at the M4 station in the middle of the bay (with 1820 items; 2,888,889 particles/km 2 ), and the lowest level has been found at the M11 station (62 items; 98,412 particles/km 2 ). As a result of this study, it was determined that the microplastic pollution level in the Iskenderun Bay is higher than the other regions of the Mediterranean Sea.
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Micro- and mesoplastics in Northeast Levantine coast of Turkey: The preliminary results from surface samples
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Researchers conducted the first microplastic survey of the northeastern Levantine coast of Turkey in Iskenderun and Mersin Bays, measuring an average of 0.376 items/m² at the sea surface, with the highest concentrations near a river mouth, at levels comparable to other Mediterranean regions.
Mediterranean dirty edge: High level of meso and macroplastics pollution on the Turkish coast.
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Thirteen coastal sites in Iskenderun Bay on Turkey's northeastern Mediterranean coast were surveyed for meso and macroplastic litter, finding high levels of plastic pollution at all locations. The study characterizes the types and distribution of coastal plastic debris and highlights the Mediterranean's "dirty edge" as a repository for land-derived plastic waste.
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Sampling surface water and sediments at ten stations in Izmir Bay (eastern Aegean Sea) revealed widespread MP pollution, with concentrations up to 8 million particles per km² of surface water, dominated by plastic fragments. The study fills a gap in Mediterranean MP data and highlights the bay's vulnerability to contamination from nearby rivers, ports, and maritime traffic.
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Researchers found microplastic pollution in surface waters of Van Bay, Turkey, at densities of 641,424 to 1,426,638 particles/km2, with fibers (40.5%), particles under 0.1 mm (52.3%), and polyethylene (60.2%) being most prevalent, and highest concentrations near river inputs from populated areas.
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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.