Microplastics characterization, abundance and distribution on the coast of Ordu province (Türkiye)

Abstract

Plastics, one of the most common materials polluting our seas, are now a serious global problem. These plastics persist in our environment for a long time and gradually turn into much smaller particles that we call microplastics (MPs). In this study, the MPs profile of sand and seawater samples taken from 6 different stations from the coasts of Ordu Province was analysed in detail. As a result of MPs and μ FTIR spectroscopic analyses, the presence of MPs in sand and seawater samples was determined and their characterisation, abundance and distribution characteristics were revealed. In this study, 291.11 items kg-1 MPs was found in sediment samples and 0.263 items L-1 MPs in water samples. A total of 420 MP fragments were detected from seawater and sand samples on the coasts of Ordu Province and analysed for colour, shape, size and species. Fibre and film type MPs fragments were found the most and it was determined that these fragments were generally blue and transparent in colour. It was observed that MPs were commonly in the size range of 0-50µm (50.71%) and the detected MPs were not larger than 800 µm. Most of the MPs observed were polyethylene (56%), followed by polypropylene (19%), polystyrene (15%), polyvinyl acetate (7%) and polytylene tereftelate (3%). In conclusion, MPs pose serious threats to human health and the environment, and it is recommended that waste generation should be reduced, necessary precautions should be taken, monitoring studies should be carried out and necessary removal methods should be applied in order to reduce the risk caused by wastes released into the seas.