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Updated: Sep 17, 2026

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis
Published on: December 16, 2016
Beach litter contamination of the Turkish middle Black Sea coasts: Spatial and temporal variation, composition, and
Levent Bat1, Ayşah Öztekin1, Dilara Kaya Öztürk2
1Sinop University, Fisheries Faculty, Department of Hydrobiology, Sinop, Türkiye.
Abstract:
Marine litter is one of the biggest environmental problems nowadays. Sinop, is located in the heart of Türkiye's Black Sea coast, has a small population, and is a popular fishing and tourist destination. In this study, marine litter amount, composition, and possible sources were investigated, and seasonal comparisons were made between in Sinop beaches. Marine litter amount was found as 0.29-7.67 items·m-2 and 3.46-49.09 g·m-2 and beaches were classified as moderate to extremely dirty. Plastics were the highest ratio (88.14-98.46 %) and "plastic pieces 2.5> <50 cm" were the major litter type. The major possible litter source was improper waste disposal (33.36 %) and litter items originated from mainly land-based sources (74.13 %). The result of this study shows that there is a significant litter problem on the coasts. The solution of this problem can be possible to take rational measures against marine litter pollution with education and management policies.
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