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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic contamination and characteristics spatially vary in the southern Black Sea beach sediment and sea surface water
ClearCharacteristics and temporal trends of microplastics in the coastal area in the Southern Black Sea over the past decade
Researchers investigated microplastic abundance, polymer types, and size distributions in seawater at three distances from the southeastern Black Sea coast over a decade (2009-2020). Polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate dominated at 44.9% and 25.3% respectively, with fragment shapes most common, and no significant spatiotemporal changes in abundance were detected.
Comprehensive Review regarding the Profile of the Microplastic Pollution in the Coastal Area of the Black Sea
This literature review profiled microplastic pollution across the Black Sea, summarizing contamination levels in water, sediment, and seafood consumed by coastal populations. The Black Sea's unique hydrodynamics and heavy riverine inputs create hotspots for microplastic accumulation, with seafood contamination posing direct human exposure concerns.
Current status and comparative risk assessment of microplastic pollution in surface water and sediment from the Black Sea coastline using geospatial analysis
Researchers conducted the first comprehensive microplastic survey of Turkey's Black Sea coast, documenting a roughly 78% annual increase in surface water particle concentrations and a threefold rise at some sediment stations, with fibers and high-risk polymers like PET and PVC dominating both matrices and most sites rated high ecological risk.
Exploring the Microplastics Distribution in the Bottom Sediments of the Western Black Sea
Researchers surveyed the bottom sediments of the western Black Sea and found microplastic particles at every sampling site, with fibers the most common shape and polyethylene/polypropylene the most common polymer types. The widespread presence across the shelf zone, without a clear pattern tied to distance from shore, suggests diffuse anthropogenic inputs rather than a single point source — a finding that complicates clean-up and monitoring efforts for this semi-enclosed sea.
High microplastic pollution in marine sediments associated with urbanised areas along the SW Bulgarian Black Sea coast
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in beach and seabed sediments along the southwestern Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Urbanized coastal areas had significantly higher microplastic levels than non-urbanized areas, with seabed samples averaging over 800 particles per kilogram of dry sediment. The study identified sewage discharges, urban waste, fisheries, and marine litter accumulation as likely sources of the contamination.
Microplastics in the Black Sea sediments
Microplastics in Black Sea sediments were characterized by occurrence, morphology, and polymer type for the first time, using samples collected across a depth range of 22 to 2131 meters. The study tested a non-invasive filtration method and found microplastics across the sampled depth range, demonstrating vertical distribution of plastic pollution in the Black Sea.
Microplastic pollution in stream sediments discharging from Türkiye's eastern Black sea basin
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in stream sediments from rivers discharging into the southeastern Black Sea from Turkey. The study found microplastics across 59 sampling sites, with varying composition and abundance, confirming that rivers serve as a principal transport route for terrestrial microplastics into this semi-enclosed sea.
Microplastic Pollution on the Beaches of the Black Sea in Romania and Bulgaria
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution on beaches along the Black Sea coast in Romania and Bulgaria, finding microplastics at all sampled sites with fragment and fiber morphologies predominating and higher concentrations near tourist and urban areas.
Microplastics and floating litter pollution in Bulgarian Black Sea coastal waters
Researchers conducted a pilot study of floating marine litter and microplastics along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, finding high quantities of floating litter (60.3-93.8 items per km) and microplastic concentrations of 0.114 to 1.91 x 10 items per km. Concentrations were on average lower than in other parts of the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean Sea, though observed ranges were comparable.
Microplastic Pollution Profile in the Black Sea Region
Researchers reviewed 100 peer-reviewed articles to create a comprehensive pollution profile of microplastics in the Black Sea region. They found that microplastics have been documented across multiple environmental compartments in the region, with plastic products from various industrial sectors contributing to contamination. The review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on microplastic distribution and sources specific to this ecologically important semi-enclosed sea.
Riverine microplastic discharge along the southern Black Sea coast of Türkiye
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.
Macro- and microplastic abundance from recreational beaches along the South Aegean Sea (Türkiye)
Researchers surveyed macro- and microplastic abundance in sand from eight recreational beaches along the South Aegean coast of Turkey, finding that fiber-shaped microplastics dominated at all sites and concentrations varied seasonally.
Microplastic Contamination of the Seawater in the Hamsilos Bay of the Southern Black Sea
Researchers monitored microplastic contamination in the water column of Hamsilos Bay, a protected natural area on the Black Sea coast of Turkey, over 12 months. They found microplastics at all sampling stations, with fibers being the dominant type and polyethylene terephthalate the most common polymer identified. The study demonstrates that even protected coastal areas are not immune to microplastic pollution and provides important baseline data for this ecologically sensitive region.
Microplastic particles in sediments and waters, south of Caspian Sea: Frequency, distribution, characteristics, and chemical composition
Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence in coastal sediments and surface waters along the southern Caspian Sea coast in Iran, finding mean concentrations of 15 items/kg in sediments and 710 items/m3 in coastal water. Fibers dominated at 97% of all MPs in both media and were predominantly black-colored, with smaller particles more prevalent in water than sediments.
Evaluation of abundance of microplastics in the Bulgarian coastal waters
This study assessed microplastic pollution in Bulgarian Black Sea coastal waters across different site types — protected, aquaculture, and industrial zones — providing one of the first quantitative datasets for this undermonitored region. The presence of microplastics in all areas, including protected sites, indicates that contamination is pervasive and that Black Sea marine organisms face widespread exposure to particles that can also carry adsorbed chemical pollutants.
Microplastic pollution in a small fishing port in Zonguldak/Turkey
Researchers monitored microplastic abundance and morphology in a small Black Sea fishing port in Zonguldak, Turkey across three seasonal sampling campaigns, finding a mean concentration of 3,417 items/m3, with fiber morphology dominant and concentrations 1.43 times higher on days of peak fishing activity.
Hallmarking microplastics of sediments and Chamelea gallina inhabiting Southwestern Black Sea: A hypothetical look at consumption risks
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in sediments and the bivalve Chamelea gallina along the Southwestern Black Sea coast, finding 28-684 particles per kilogram in sediments and up to 2.17 particles per individual clam, with seven polymer types identified.
First report of occurrence, distribution, and composition of microplastics in surface waters of the Sea of Marmara, Turkey
Researchers reported the first characterization of microplastic occurrence, distribution, and polymer composition in surface waters of the Sea of Marmara, Turkey, finding widespread contamination and identifying the types of plastics present in this heavily trafficked and enclosed marine system.
Protracted dynamicity of microplastics in the coastal sediment of the Southeast Black Sea
Comparing sediment samples from the Southeast Black Sea coast collected a decade apart in 2012 and 2022, this study found that microplastic abundances had increased substantially and that fibers and fragments dominated, with the majority of detected polymers linked to regional fishing and tourism activities.
Dropping the microbead: Source and sink related microplastic distribution in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea basins
Researchers assessed microplastic distribution in sediments of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea basins, finding that proximity to rivers and shorelines was a stronger predictor of microplastic concentration than water depth or sediment grain size.
Short-term tourism alters abundance, size, and composition of microplastics on sandy beaches
Researchers sampled microplastics on nine sandy beaches along the Turkish Black Sea coast before and after the tourism season and found that tourist activity significantly increased microplastic abundance, altered size distributions, and changed polymer composition. The results provide direct field evidence that recreational beach use is a local source of microplastic pollution.
Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in sediment and fish along the Persian Gulf—a case study: Bushehr Province, Iran
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in sediments and fish across 16 stations along the Bushehr Province coastline in the Persian Gulf, finding a mean abundance of 57.19 particles/kg in sediments — dominated by black fragments — and up to 9 microplastic particles per fish, with black particles again most prevalent.
Microplastics pollution in Gulf of Bandırma, Sea of Marmara: Biota and sediment
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in fish, mollusks, and sediment from the Sea of Marmara in Turkey. They found microplastics in all species examined, averaging about 2 to 3 particles per individual, with fibers and polyethylene terephthalate being the most common types. The results indicate widespread microplastic pollution throughout this marine environment that may accumulate through the food web.
First evaluation of neustonic microplastics in Black Sea waters
Researchers reported the first assessment of neustonic microplastics in Black Sea waters, finding microplastics in 92% of samples collected during two cruises, with fibers most abundant (49%), average concentrations around 1,200 particles per m3 in November, and spatial distribution patterns linked to wind dynamics and the rim current.