Abstract
Plastic pollution is a now global problem that affects terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. Small plastic particles (< 5 mm) are considered as microplastics (MPs) which can originate from primary and secondary sources. Microplastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems is crucial since their abundance and flow are expected to be higher than aquatic systems. This research investigates the abundance and evaluation of current microplastic abundance in human-influenced soils to reveal the impact of different anthropogenic activities on soil MP contamination. Three main categories as industrial, residential, and recreational areas were considered, and samples from different land-uses for each category were collected in Istanbul, Turkey, and examined. Results showed that residential areas had the lowest MP content (mean = 3378 items/kg), while the highest abundance was found in recreational zones (mean = 7956 items/kg). The abundance of MPs in industrial areas was between these groups with a mean value of 4488 items/kg. The lowest concentration was observed in one of the residential zones with 1868 items/kg, and surprisingly, the highest content was found in a forestal recreational area (Belgrad forest) with 9332 items/kg. Shape ratios of particles were different for each category. Round/spherical particles had the highest share in industrial and residential areas with 34% and 32%, respectively, and fibers in recreational areas by 36%.
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Data Availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
This study was partially supported by Bogazici Research Fund, Project No: 17383P. The authors thank Boğaziçi University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, specifically Efe Elbeyli for his contribution towards microscopic evaluation. Acknowledgements also go to Ankara University, Nuclear Sciences Institute, Electron Microscope Laboratory, and Dr. Elif Yildiz for SEM imaging and analysis.
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Mehmet Meric Tunali: Conceptualization, Investigation, Analysis, Methodology, Writing–Original draft.
Oleksiy Myronyuk: FTIR analysis/interpretation, Writing–review and editing.
Merve Tunali: Conceptualization, Methodology, Analysis, Writing–review and editing.
Orhan Yenigun: Conceptualization, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing–review and editing.
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Tunali, M.M., Myronyuk, O., Tunali, M. et al. Microplastic Abundance in Human-Influenced Soils in Recreational, Residential, and Industrial Areas. Water Air Soil Pollut 233, 433 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05901-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05901-5