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Microplastics in Urban Soils of İstanbul: Distribution Patterns and Seasonal Changes
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Microplastics were found at all 11 sampling sites across Istanbul's urban soils, with fiber-shaped particles under 500 µm dominating and concentrations peaking in spring, suggesting seasonal deposition from atmospheric fallout and runoff. Urban soil contamination at moderate pollution levels represents a critical but underappreciated reservoir for microplastics that can leach into groundwater or be inhaled and ingested by city residents.
Microplastics (MPs), although less studied compared to aquatic environments, pose a growing environmental threat to urban soil ecosystems under intense human activity. In this study, the spatial and seasonal distribution, abundance, and basic characteristics of microplastics in urban soils located in the European and Anatolian sides of İstanbul were evaluated for the first time using a comprehensive approach. Microplastics were extracted from surface soil samples collected from 11 different stations during the winter, spring, summer, and fall seasons using a density-based flotation method and classified under a stereomicroscope according to their shape, size, and colour characteristics. MPs were found at all sampling points, with concentrations ranging from 1001 to 1893 items/kg. The highest average MP abundance was determined in the spring season (1675 items/kg), while the lowest values were detected in the summer period. The vast majority of MPs were particles in the form of fibres <500 µm in size (66%), followed by fragments (25%) and films (7%). In terms of colour distribution, the dominance of blue-green tones is noteworthy. Statistical analyses revealed that seasonal variations had a significant effect on MP abundance (p<0.05) and that there was a strong positive correlation between total MP quantity and fiber-type MPs. The calculated Contamination Factor (CF) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) values indicate that urban soils in Istanbul generally have a “moderate” level of MP pollution. The findings reveal that urban land use and anthropogenic pressures play a decisive role in MP accumulation, and the study provides an important reference dataset for Istanbul.
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Spatial Distribution and Characterization of Soil Microplastics Across Different Terrestrial Land-Use Types in Karaman, Türkiye
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Researchers sampled soils across eight land-use types in Karaman, Türkiye, finding microplastic concentrations of 183–1,683 particles per kilogram highest in densely populated residential areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene dominating across all sites and fiber and fragment morphologies reflecting inputs from household waste, agricultural film use, road tire wear, and landfill activity.
Microplastic Characterization in Soil Samples in Urban and Rural Areas of Eskişehir
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This study sampled soils from urban and rural areas in Eskişehir, Turkey, and characterized the types, sizes, and abundance of microplastics found. Both urban and rural soils contained microplastics, with higher concentrations in urban areas. The findings add to the growing evidence that terrestrial microplastic contamination is widespread in both developed and undeveloped land.
An evaluation on microplastic accumulations in Turkish soils under different land uses
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Researchers analyzed 55 soil samples from agricultural and urban areas across three Turkish regions, finding higher microplastic concentrations in agricultural soils (averaging 193 particles/kg) than urban soils, with polyethylene fibers under 1 mm dominating both land use types.
Characterization of Microplastics and Associated Heavy Metals in Urban Soils Affected by Anthropogenic Littering: Distribution, Spatial Variation, and Influence of Soil Properties
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Researchers sampled soils across residential, commercial, and industrial land-use types in urban areas and found microplastics in every location, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, at concentrations up to 850,000 particles per kilogram. Heavy metals were also associated with the plastic particles, meaning microplastics in urban soil may serve as combined carriers of chemical toxicants. The findings highlight urban soil as a major but underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Microplastic accumulation in soils around open dumping and scrapyard sites in Türkiye
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Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic accumulation in soils around open dumping and scrapyard sites across eight provinces in Turkey. They found microplastics in all soil samples, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms, predominantly composed of polyethylene and polypropylene. The study reveals that informal waste disposal sites are significant but previously undocumented sources of soil microplastic contamination.
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