Investigation of microplastic pollution in coastal areas of Bursa

The widespread use of plastics today leads to the formation of tiny particles called microplastics when they break down. Microplastics reach water bodies through various pathways. Once in the aquatic environment, they are consumed by organisms thus entering the food chain and eventually reaching human consumption. Therefore, investigating microplastic pollution in oceans is crucial. The purpose of this study is to investigate microplastic pollution in the sections of the Sea of Marmara that border Bursa. Within the scope of the study, surface water and water column sampling were conducted at 5 stations during two seasons, in August 2022 and February 2023. After preliminary treatments, the samples were first classified by shape, color, and size using a stereo microscope, and then polymer types were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Additionally, parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, total dissolved solids, color, suspended solids, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus of the seawater were measured at each sampling station. The obtained data were compared spatially and seasonally. Upon examining the data on the amounts of microplastics based on the seasons and stations from which the samples were taken, it was determined that the quantity of microplastics at the stations ranged from 105 to 287. When comparing the abundance of microplastics between seasons, it was found to be higher in summer than in winter. It was observed that microbeads were the most frequently encountered type of microplastic. In the FTIR analyses conducted to determine the polymer structure of the microplastics, it was identified that the polymer types included polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride. Pollution caused by microplastics is extremely important and should be prevented before it occurs. In this regard, measures such as promoting the sale of products that do not contain plastics, banning the use of microbeads in cosmetic products, developing textile products, using filters in washing machine outlets, increasing the efficiency of microplastic removal in wastewater treatment plants, and establishing and implementing improved waste management should be taken.