Solid waste characterization and microplastic pollution in the coastal area of Mersin port regi̇on

In this study, the amount and characterization of terrestrial wastes and marine litter found on the sea surface were studied seasonally. At the same time, the number, size and color analyzes of microplastics were made in the samples taken from the sea surface. The study was carried out between the years 2021-2022 in Mersin Province Port area and the surrounding Atatürk Park and Çamlıbel Balıkçı Barınağı. An average of 466 kg/day in summer, 187 kg/day in autumn, 153 kg/day in winter and 86 kg/day in spring was collected in Atatürk Park. It was found that solid waste pollution is seasonally in the form of summer>autumn>winter>spring, and 44.9% of the waste is recyclable waste, 53.8% is compostable waste and 1.4% is another waste. It has been determined that the main source of pollution in this area is kitchen waste (37683 kg/year). In addition, the proportional amount of terrestrial waste that may occur in Atatürk Park in a year has been calculated as 81273 kg. An average of 30 kg/day in summer, 34 kg/day in autumn, 14 kg/day in winter and 12 kg/day in spring was collected in Çamlıbel Balıkçı Barınağı. It has been calculated that glass waste can be 2163 kg, park, garden and wood waste 1946 kg and kitchen waste 1541 kg throughout the year. It has been found that solid waste pollution is seasonally in the form of autumn>summer>winter>spring and approximately 56.2% of the waste is recyclable waste, 42.3% is compostable waste and 1.1% is other waste. The proportional amount of terrestrial waste that may occur in this area in a year has been calculated as 8235 kg. The studies carried out in the terrestrial area during the thesis study showed that the amount of solid waste collected in Atatürk Park was 0.437 kg/m2.year and the amount of waste collected in Çamlıbel Balıkçı Barınağı was 0.475 kg/m2.year. When the terrestrial area is evaluated as a whole, it has been determined that this amount is 0,440 kg/m2.year. It has been observed that glass waste reaches the highest level in the summer season of kitchen waste and in the autumn season when fishing activities started in Çamlıbel Balıkçı Barınağı due to the intense use of space in Atatürk Park. Although there are two adjacent areas, the proportional differences in the amount of seasonal waste have strengthened the idea that the use of the areas is due to the socio-economic structures and habits of the users. It has been determined that 85.03% of the waste collected on the sea surface at Mersin Port is recyclable waste, 13.91% compostable waste and 1.1% other waste. It was determined that the highest amount of waste was plastic waste with 573.3 kg/year. Although there is no agricultural activity in the studied area, the highest level of park and garden wastes showed that the wastes generated as a result of increased agricultural activities, especially in October and November, were transported to the Port Region by wind and precipitation. However, the fact that the amount of waste collected from the marine environment is lower in the autumn and winter seasons when the rainfall is the highest, shows that the marine area is affected by the frequently and intensively used terrestrial areas. It was found that 74.32% of the microplastic (1464 pieces/m2.year) detected on the sea surface in Mersin Port Region is black in color and the average length is 746.15 μm. The highest number of microplastics was reached in the winter season when the precipitation was the highest. As a result, the fact that the amount of solid waste depending on the seasons has a similar tendency in both terrestrial and marine environments has shown that the pollution is of terrestrial origin. Regardless of its source, marine litter is a global problem with its environmental, economic, health and aesthetic effects. The most important reasons were considered to be insufficient solid waste management, lack of infrastructure, various human activities, and insufficient training, awareness and precautions.