Microplastic Density in Mediterranean Reaches 65 Times the Average
· GıdaTarım
A study by Çukurova University reveals that microplastic pollution, originating from recycling facilities and drainage channels, has surpassed critical thresholds along coastlines.
Critical Microplastic Alarm on Coastlines
A study conducted by the Faculty of Fisheries of Çukurova University highlights the extent of microplastic pollution, which threatens agricultural lands and aquatic ecosystems. According to the research carried out by Prof. Dr. Sedat Gündoğdu and his team on the coasts of Alanya, microplastic density at certain points in the sea reaches 60 to 65 times the general Mediterranean pollution level. It was determined that a high proportion, between 60% and 93%, of the plastic particles detected at the examined stations were directly linked to processes in recycling facilities.
Pollution Transported to the Sea via Channels
Tracing the source of the pollution reveals that open drainage channels, recycling businesses, and wastewater in the Adana region are prominent contributors. According to the calculations by Prof. Dr. Sedat Gündoğdu and his team, approximately 1.5 to 2 billion microplastic particles are transported to the sea per hour from a single channel in the region, via 1 cubic meter of water. This waste load, which disrupts the structure of agricultural lands and reaches irrigation lines, poses serious risks to water resource management and food security.