Morphometric assessment of plastic deposition in a wind-driven marine corridor under bidirectional forces

Plastic pollution poses a growing threat to coastal and marine ecosystems. This study examines the spatial dynamics of plastic accumulation in the coastal area of Kepez Cape, located within the Çanakkale Strait (Türkiye), a bidirectional marine corridor connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean and the Mediterranean. Due to its exposure to dominant wind regimes (NNE, NE, SW), Kepez Cape offers a valuable natural setting for investigating the interaction between wind and currents in shaping the deposition of plastic debris. Departing from traditional particle count metrics, the study introduces morphometric parameters, surface area and volume, as more ecologically relevant indicators of pollution load. Plastic debris was sampled from three shoreline sectors using standardised transects, and particle dimensions were analysed. Results revealed substantial spatial variability in plastic accumulation, with larger particles found in regions influenced by Black Sea surface currents. These findings highlight the importance of physical forces in shaping deposition patterns and advocate for incorporating surface area-based metrics into coastal plastic monitoring. The study contributes to the development of wind-informed, regionally coordinated monitoring strategies, offering a refined framework for assessing and ultimately reducing plastic pollution in dynamic marine corridors worldwide.