Impact of extreme weather events on floating marine litter pollution in Burgas Bay - Black Sea

This study investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of floating marine litter (FML) in the Burgas Bay (SW Black Sea) between 09.2021 and 11.2023. Regular bimonthly visual monitoring along fixed transects in the Southern Burgas Bay revealed areas of accumulation of FML, with pronounced seasonal and interannual variations. FML concentrations in the study varied between 9 and 1481 Items.km-2. The highest concentrations of FML were observed during extreme weather events in November 2023 (1481 ± 1459 Items.km-2), which correlated with heavy rainfall events during this period. Results highlight the dual role of rivers and coastal lakes as pathways and reservoirs for marine litter, which is particularly evident during periods of elevated river water levels. The findings show the complex interplay of meteorological and hydrological factors in FML distribution and accumulation, and emphasize the need for comprehensive monitoring and mitigation strategies to address the effects of the ongoing increase in plastic pollution in the Black Sea.