Evaluation and characterization of microplastics in beach sand from three different Syrian coastal locations

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is a significant environmental problem of increasing potential consequences for ecosystem health. The present work represents the first study to evaluate the occurrence of MPs particles on Syrian beaches, covering four coastal locations namely, Tartous (Golden sand and Albasira), Lattakia (Blue coast), and Baniyas (Musfat Baniyas). MPs were extracted from sand using density separation (NaCl, 1.2 g mL^-1) and enzymatic digestion (Protease) was carried out to ensure that MPs were free of organic materials. Fluorescence microscopy with Nile Red staining was used to detect and count MPs, while attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to identify their polymer types and compositions as well as their surface morphology. The total MPs concentrations in the four different locations varied from 0.22 ± 0.12 to 17.8 ± 5.0 items kg^-1 of dry sand with sizes classified into 0.3-1 mm and 1-5 mm fractions. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and oxidized polyethylene were identified as the main constituents of the MPs samples. The findings reveal that Syrian beaches are already affected by MPs contamination, with variation linked to local human activity. Given the dependence of Syrian coastal communities on fisheries, tourism, and industrial activities, these results underline the urgent need for national monitoring programs, improved waste management policies, and regional cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. This baseline study therefore provides critical scientific evidence to support both environmental policy and future research on marine pollution in Syria.