The investigation of microplastic pollution in swimming pools

The production of plastic-containing products in excess of 10 million tons in our country has led to an increase in their use. When plastic-containing products are subjected to mechanical abrasion, sunlight, UV radiation, and biological degradation in the area where they are located, they undergo fragmentation into smaller microstructures, which subsequently contribute to microplastic pollution in the air, soil, and especially the water ecosystem. Research on the detection of pollution is primarily conducted in marine and freshwater environments. The focus of this research is on the detection of aquatic environments and the living creatures that inhabit them, as well as drinking and domestic water, packaged products, and wastewater treatment facilities. Despite efforts to determine the microplastic situation through pollution controls in various areas, further studies are needed in areas where there is a lack of research. Swimming pools, which are frequently used during holidays and many sports activities, are also an area that needs to be clarified. It is crucial to ascertain the extent of microplastic pollution due to ingestion of pool water and contact with exposed body parts. To this end, two sample areas with varying water volumes were selected to detect microplastic pollution in swimming pools in areas with a high usage rate. In the study, the oxidation-density difference separation method was employed to remove impurities in water from microplastics. Following pre-treatment, the quantity of microplastic accumulated on the filter paper surface was quantified using a fluorescence light microscope. In the present study, the greatest number of fragments was observed in the pool water inlets, while fiber was detected in the pool water. It was observed that the sand filter was most effective in removing fragments and the most dominant microplastics. The most prevalent microplastic colors were identified as transparent, orange, brown, and black. This study represents a significant initial step in the examination of microplastic pollution in swimming pools. It aims to assess the effectiveness of the sand filter system in the outlet structure in microplastic removal, evaluate the analysis results, and understand the extent of microplastic pollution in swimming pools.