Composition, sources, abundance and seasonality of Marine Litter in the cakalburnu lagoon coast of Aegean Sea

The Aegean Sea is one of the most contaminated by marine litter (ML) in the World. In this study, the Turkish Aegean Region was evaluated in light of the sources, abundance and composition of ML along cakalburnu Lagoon coast. Macroscopic ML with > 3 cm was collected and separated into composition and sources categories. ML abundance was calculated by its density in items/m(2) (Mean +/- SD). Beach cleanliness was evaluated according to Clean-Coast Index (CCI). Seasonality was found as factor for ML composition, sources and abundance at cakalburnu coast. Plastic was the most abundant material, followed by unidentifiable items. The major sources of ML were mixed packaging, domestic and fisheries activities. The mean ML density was 0.64 +/- 0.09 items/m(2). cakalburnu coast was classified as dirty during all seasons. Therefore, ML contamination on cakalburnu coast represent a potential threat to coastal and marine environments. Thus, the present study can serve as a base for the elaboration of mitigating actions urgently needed at cakalburnu Lagoon.

Automated summary

The Aegean Sea is highly contaminated by marine litter, with plastic being the most abundant material. The Turkish Aegean Region, specifically cakalburnu Lagoon coast, is affected by mixed packaging, domestic waste, and fisheries activities. The abundance of marine litter varies with seasons, and the beach cleanliness is consistently classified as dirty.