Monitoring of microplastic pollution in sediments along the Çoruh River Basin, NE Türkiye

Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a research issue on the world agenda. Monitoring studies are essential for MP content in aquatic environments since it is the final accumulation point. The present study focused on MP characterizations in sediment samples taken from 20 different stations on the Çoruh River, the major river in the North East of Türkiye. Accordingly, the potential anthropogenic pollution from settlements near the four stations (2, 15, 18, and 20) exceeding 400 MP kg−1 was estimated. On the other hand, stations (1, 3, 9, 11, and 13) far from settlements with quite low MP abundance were also observed. The polymer structures of the detected MPs are generally PE and PET, and their shapes are mostly fiber. This situation raises suspicion that MPs originate from primary use waste such as water bottles and packaging materials. In general, the fiber MPs are smaller than the fragments because of the river's high water flow rate and the low strength of the fiber MPs. In light of these results, the current monitoring data in the region will create awareness and guidance regarding MP pollution in settlements. •There is microplastic pollution in settlements in the Çoruh River Basin region.•Socio-economic differences affect abundance and characterization of microplastic pollution.•Fiber and PE microplastics are frequently found in the Çoruh River Basin.•The Çoruh River with high flow rate breaks down fiber microplastics due to its low strength.