Microplastic quantities and distribution of Marmara sea Büyükçekmece and Tuzla stations

The negative impacts of wastes discharged or abandoned by humans on the marine environment have been known since the 1970s, and studies to date have shown that the amount of marine wastes continues to increase every day. The fact that microplastic existence has reached wide areas extending from the deepest parts of the oceans to the furthest points of the poles, the increasing use of plastics and the impact on the marine organisms shows that the plastic problem will grow with each passing day and create big problems for all living things on earth. The aim of this study is to reveal the presence of microplastics in two different points in the Marmara Sea. In the study, surface water sampling, water column sampling and sediment sampling were carried out in MBC and MY1 stations in May 2018 and the presence, types and numbers of microplastics in 3 fractions were determined. MBC station more microplastic particles were observed in the surface and sediment fraction. However, MY1 station in the water column fraction microplastics was more than others. In addition, 2016 and 2018 comparisons were made at the same stations. In 2018, the number of plastic particles increased at both stations. In the study conducted for both stations, the excess fiber particles are remarkable. KEYWORDS:Microplastic, Marmara sea microplastic