Variations in microplastic abundance, sizes, and characteristics between connected systems

Microplastic pollution has become an inevasible problem for all ecosystems. Many studies have investigated their potential sources in different systems. Yet, efficient actions require further knowledge including their pathways between connected systems including rivers and lagoons. Therefore, sediment samples collected from Kizilirmak River, 5 connected lagoons and the seabed were examined. The river had the highest, and the seabed had the lowest microplastic abundance. Microplastic abundance between sampled lagoons were similar. Similarly, average microplastics sizes showed no difference between sampled sites. Yet, characteristics of the detected microplastic particles showed great variation, suggesting that the river acts as a main source yet lagoons are also contaminated by the various human disturbances that they experience. Findings of this study are important insight for the current literature by contributing the knowledge required by the potential action plans.Keywords: Black Sea, Human disturbance, Kizilirmak River, Lagoon, Sediment