Presence and seasonal distribution of microplastics in beach sand of Kus¸adası-Davutlar-Güzelçamlı coastal region of Aydın province in Türkiye

Microplastic pollution has become an increasingly global problem due to the unconscious use of products containing
plastic and the rapid increase in the world population. Studies conducted in aquatic environments such as
sea and freshwater in Türkiye are not sufficient. In particular, there are no studies on microplastic pollution in
Aydın province, located on the Aegean Sea coast in the southwest of Türkiye. Therefore, this study generally
provides a comprehensive assessment of the presence and status of microplastics on Aydın beaches. For this
purpose, microplastic pollution was investigated in beach sand collected from 10 stations in the Kus¸adası-
Davutlar-Güzelçamlı coastline of Aydın province located on the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey in autumn, winter,
spring and summer seasons. Microplastics (MPs) collected seasonally from the stations were evaluated in terms of
abundance, size, color and shape. The average MP value at each beach in four seasons were found as Güzelçamlı
Beach (119.39 ± 30), Venüs Beach 1 (126.32 ± 41.38), Venüs Beach 2 (73.6 ± 11.25), Davutlar Youth Camp
Beach (103.34 ± 65.57), Sevgi Beach (87.28 ± 43.18), Davutlar Beach (84.21 ± 33.18), Nazilli Site
(131.53 ± 53.63), Kus¸adası Central Public Beach (68.24 ± 40.76), Kadınlar Beach (103.05 ± 27.95), Long Beach
(59 ± 42.84). The most dominant MPs at the stations in all seasons were found to be 5 mm in size. In addition,
the most dominant color among the MPs collected in four seasons was blue, followed by green and white. On the
other hand, the most dominant MP shapes in all four seasons were determined as fragment, films and fibers,
respectively. This study presents detailed MPs data around the coastal area of Aydin Province for the first time;
thus, it can help in develop appropriate strategies for MP pollution.