The discovery of emerging plastic formations, such as pyroplastics, plastiglomerates, plastimetal and plastitar, in coastal environments has raised significant concerns regarding plastic pollution. Plastiglomerates are formed by melted plastic fused with rocks or pebbles, pyroplastics consist of melted plastic residues, plastimetals are physically attached plastic litter with a metal item, and plastitar is a composite material resulting from the accumulation and weathering of diverse plastic litter. Through field surveys and laboratory analyses, the physical and chemical characteristics of these materials were identified, and their occurrence in coastal habitats in the Turkish Black Sea coasts (Sinop) were reported. The beach surveys were conducted at two coastal sites, and 11 emerging plastic formations were confirmed through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy from 17 suspected items, predominantly composed of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF). These emerging plastic forms highlight the complexity of plastic degradation and its interaction with coastal environments. The observed characteristics suggest that thermal alteration and inappropriate disposal of plastic waste may have contributed to the formation of these materials; however, no direct source attribution or contaminant analyses were performed. This study presents the first occurrence of emerging plastic formations on the Turkish Black Sea coast.

Environmental pollution resulting from the rapid increase in human population, urbanization, intensive use of chemicals in agriculture, and industrial development has reached a level that threatens natural life today. Trace elements are one of the most important factors causing significant levels of pollution in the environment and are added to marine ecosystems in high concentrations because of both natural cycles and non-cycle factors. While essential metals show functional properties by entering the structural composition of living organisms at low concentrations, it is known that non-essential metals do not have any biological function. Deficiency or high concentrations of metals, which are required in trace amounts by living organisms for vital events, and the effect of toxic metals at low concentrations cause disturbances in metabolic and physiological events, accumulation in tissues and organs, and are transported to higher trophic levels at increasing values through the food chain, ultimately causing significant environmental and health problems. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of Al, Cr, Mn, Fe Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in the muscle tissues of Squalus acanthias, Raja clavata, and Dasyatis pastinaca from the southern Black Sea. By focusing on these non-commercial but ecologically important top predators, the study contributes to the assessment of ecological risks and management strategies for the region.

This study evaluates the accumulation of trace elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in the muscle tissues of six commercially important fish species (Scophthalmus maximus, Merlangius merlangus, Mullus ponticus, Trachurus mediterraneus, Engraulis encrasicolus, and Sprattus sprattus) harvested from multiple locations across the Sinop and Samsun coasts of the southern Black Sea during the 2023-2025 fishing seasons to assess potential human health risks. Element concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and compared against national and international food safety standards. Results indicated that essential elements, particularly Fe and Zn, exhibited the highest concentrations, while Co and potentially toxic elements (Cd, Pb, As, and Hg) remained at lower levels. Although significant geographical variations in accumulation were observed between sampling locations, inter-species differences were relatively minor. Human health risk assessments, including Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR), revealed that all THQ values were well below 1, indicating no non-carcinogenic concerns. Furthermore, CR values for As, Cr, and Pb fell within the acceptable range (10-6 to 10-4) defined by the U.S. EPA. Consequently, fish consumption from these regions poses no unacceptable risk, though localized element elevations suggest a need for enhanced environmental monitoring of pollution sources.

Eriphia verrucosa (Forskål, 1775), an ecologically and economically valuable benthic decapod crustacean, serves as an effective bioindicator for coastal metal pollution due to its opportunistic feeding behaviour and benthic habitat preference. This three-year study (2022–2024) established baseline concentrations for eleven trace elements (Al, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, iAs, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in the edible muscle tissue of E. verrucosa retailed along the Sinop coast (Middle Black Sea) to evaluate food safety and assess consumer health risks. Trace element levels were determined using High-Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) following microwave-assisted acid digestion. Method fidelity was verified using Certified Reference Material, yielding high recovery rates between 97.90% (Hg) and 104.19% (Ni). The bioaccumulation pattern followed the order of Fe > Zn > Al > Mn > Cu > Ni > Hg > Pb > Co > iAs > Cd, with essential nutrients constituting most of the elemental profile. Over the monitoring period, a significant decreasing temporal trend in metal contamination was observed, with the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) declining from 0.15574 in 2022 to 0.11573 in 2024, marked by statistically significant reductions in iAs, Mn, Pb, and Zn. All metal concentrations were well within maximum permissible limits set by European Commission regulations and the Turkish Food Codex. Comprehensive human health risk metrics (EDI, HI, and CR) were safely below established toxicological thresholds. These findings confirm that consumption of E. verrucosa from the Sinop coast presents no carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic health risks.

The concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were measured in black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758) from Sinop coasts of the Black Sea, Türkiye. The study found that the levels of these metals were below Türkiye and international permissible values. For each metal, it was discovered that the estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ) and risk index (RI) values were significantly lower than the corresponding reference doses, indicating that the fish were not found to pose a significant health risk to children or adult consumers based on the available data.''. This is important because S. porcus has become a popular food choice due to the decrease in naturally caught fish and its abundance in the area. The findings suggest that black scorpionfish can be a healthy and sustainable food option for consumers.

Microplastics (MPs) are posing an increasing threat to the marine environment, affecting marine ecosystems and posing potential risks to human health through the food chain. This study aims to investigate the MP contamination of Holothuria (Thymiosycia) arenicola Semper, 1868, Holothuria pardalis Selenka, 1867, sediments and seawater from Buleji coasts of Karachi, Pakistan. The MP contamination was determined in the different body parts of sea cucumber species and both seawater and sediment samples were contaminated with microplastics. The results show that H. arenicola contains more microplastics than H. pardalis. In terms of shape and colour, fibres were the most common form of MPs (>99%), with black being the predominant colour. The highest to the lowest amount of MPs was determined as gut (52±26 pieces/individual in H. arenicola and 31±14 pieces/individual in H. paradis), coelomic fluid (18±10 pieces/individual in H. arenicola and 26±15 pieces/individual in H. paradis), respiratory tree (22±11 pieces/individual in H. arenicola and 14±9 pieces/individual in H. paradis and tentacles (13±8 pieces/individual in H. arenicola and 10±5 pieces/individual in H. paradis), respectively. Determination of MP pollution in these sea cucumbers and their surrounding environment is very important in terms of the importance of these organisms in the marine ecosystems. The biological impacts of MPs on sea cucumbers and other marine organisms can eventually affect humans through the food chain. Therefore, the paper advocates for the development of policies to monitor and reduce MP pollution in marine ecosystems.

The increasing anthropogenic activities in the Sea of Marmara, such as industrialization, maritime traffic, and urbanization, have significantly contributed to the introduction of various contaminants, into its sediments. The aim of this study is to determine the levels of trace elements accumulated in the transitional and coastal waters of the Sea of Marmara and to assess the pollution status of the region. Surface sediments were collected using a Van Veen Grab from 21 stations representing different water masses in May, July, and September 2018 and stored in plastic bags at -21 °C. The concentrations of elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS, Agilent 7700X). To evaluate sediment quality, Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Contamination Factor (Cf), Contamination Degree (CD), and Factor Analysis were applied. The analysis revealed that Al and Fe were the most abundant elements in the sediments, while Hg and Cd were found at the lowest concentrations. These findings may be associated with the natural geochemical characteristics of the region as well as anthropogenic pollution sources. The index results indicated significant enrichment of certain elements in specific areas. This study provides important data on the accumulation of trace elements in the sediments of the Sea of Marmara. The applied pollution indices offered a comprehensive assessment of sediment contamination in the region, highlighting the localized accumulation of certain pollutant elements.

Microplastics (MPs) have accumulated extensively in the marine environment due to the increasing use of plastic materials and their inadequate disposal. Several investigations have been focused on the presence of MPs in the marine environment but a few of them investigate the presence of MPs in the sediment profiles and distribution dynamics. The aim of the study was to investigate the abundance of MPs in the seabed sediments in the I(center dot)zmir Bay of the Aegean Sea, T & uuml;rkiye and to determine the distribution dynamics of MPs and the factors governing them. The abundance of MPs was 2979 +/- 1560 pieces/kg dry sediment. The dominant MP shape was fragment (59.54 %), followed by fiber (36.77 %), film (3.55 %), the remaining types were found to be less than 1 %. The majority of MPs are smaller than 1 mm. In the distribution of MPs by color, the dominant color was transparent (52 %) followed by blue with 11.07 % and other colors account for less than 10 %. It was determined from FT-IR and Raman analyses that the sediments of the Inner Gulf chemically contain 7 different MPs and polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), constituting the majority of identified particles. The distribution of MPs in the sediment may be explained by Fe, Mn, Calcite (CaCO3), Biogenic Silica (BSi) and hydrodynamic features in the water column (cyclonic, anticyclonic eddies in the water column, diatom substrate selection, littering and sinking with density increase).

The marine ecosystem is severely threatened by microplastics. The entire marine environment of the Black Sea is contaminated with both macro- and microplastics but the contamination of the water column with this pollutant has received less attention. This study aims to obtain data on the microplastic abundance, and vertical and temporal distribution of the microplastics in the water column of Hamsilos Bay which is a natural protected area, and an important area for fishery and tourism on the Sinop coast in the Black Sea. This study was carried out for 12 months in 7 stations. Microplastic abundance varied among 5.58 ± 6.12–8.12 ± 9.17 pieces/m3 in and 1.74 ± 0.80–21.07 ± 3.84 pieces/m3 in stations. The dominant microplastics were fibre by shape (73.92

Sebastes schlegelii Hilgendorf, 1880 is an Indo-Pacific species with a widespread distribution in the coastal waters of the Far Eastern region. This study represents the first documentation of S. schlegelii off Sinop coast from the Southern Black Sea. The four specimens collected on 28 May 2023 and 18 June 2023 from rocky habitat at a depth of about 6 meters off Sinop coast had a total length range of 226 to 237 mm and weights ranging from 197.57 to 254.98 g. The spread of this species to the southern Black Sea coast is attributed to the transportation of early life stage individuals from the northern coast of the Black Sea to the southern coast via the cyclonic Rim Current.

Trace elements (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Fe) concentrations in the muscle of Mullus barbatus (red mullet) and Merlangius merlangus (whiting) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry from the southern Black Sea. Fe showed the highest amount in edible tissues of both fish species followed by Zn and Cu. The lowest element measured was Cd, followed by Hg and Pb. Element amounts in edible tissues were compared with national and international permissible limits and were within the permissible safety levels for human consumption. The risk assessment, related to the consumption of red mullet and whiting, was implemented, considering the concentrations of six metals, the estimated weekly intake (EWI), the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), the target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and risk index (RI). The HI values for both red mullet and whiting were found to be less than one, indicating that eating these fish poses no health risk. Moreover, RI due to Pb exposure through fish consumption may also have no chance of contracting cancer in the future.

The current study was conducted to determine the residues of Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd, Hg, Pb, and As in the edible tissues of Sander lucioperca. Total of 20 fish individuals collected from Lake Balik, Samsun were analysed by using ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer). All metal values in the muscle of S. lucioperca were quite low. Fe is the highest concentration (4.07 mg/kg), whereas Cd had the lowest Cd (0.007 mg/kg). Therefore, it can be said that the bioaccumulation of metals in pike-perch did not go over the acceptable limits established for these metals by national and international organisations. The hazard quotients (HQs) for individual elements and the hazard index (HI) were all <1 in S. lucioperca, showing no danger by these chemicals when consumed by infants, children, and adults. The RIs for Pb were between 1.45 x 10(-7) and 4.30 x 10(-7), indicating their insignificant carcinogenic risks, whereas for As these values were between 2.78 x 10(-5) and 1.06 x 10(-4), indicating their tolerable or acceptable carcinogenic risks.

The presence of biota in the Black Sea is mostly determined by seawater temperature and salinity. The consensus of many scientists doing research on global warming is that in 2100, the average air temperature will be increase than today's values. With climate changing, precipitation rates will change due to the Black Sea water temperature and the changing atmospheric regime, causing an unbalanced entry of nutrients into the sea, and as a result, excessive plankton proliferation may occur. This may mean that the habitats of the species in the Black Sea are further limited. The increases in sea levels may not be serious, but there is no doubt that there will be some increases. These increases will affect the coastal ecosystem, especially the rich living life in the region where the waves hit the shore, which we call the wave zone, will be adversely affected. These predictions should be followed up with regular scientific monitoring studies and it should be investigated how biota from invertebrates to fish are affected by the changes. This review explored and discussed the long-term changes and causes of biota communities on the southern coast of the Black Sea.

In recent years, the growing importance of fish species obtained through aquaculture, coupled with a decline in wild-caught fish, has raised concerns about the potential accumulation of pollutants in these fish. This work aimed to analyze the amounts of elements in trout cultured mainly between Sinop and Samsun shores at the south of the Black Sea and marketed in Sinop fish markets. The comparison of these values with national and internationally accepted regulations was conducted, and evaluation of health risks for consumers was performed. Oncorhynchus mykiss samples were bought in April, May, and June of 2022 and 2023. The heavy metal concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Fish tissues were wet digested in Teflon vessels. The outcomes were contrasted with established regulatory limits for heavy metals in fish. Fortunately, the metal concentrations detected in the fillets were found to be below the permissible levels set by regulations, indicating that the fish were not significantly contaminated. Furthermore, the estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) values, which are utilized to evaluate the possible health risks connected with heavy metal exposure, were calculated. It was reassuring to find that both EDI and THQ values were below the acceptable thresholds, suggesting that the consumption of O. mykiss is not likely to pose a threat to human health. To preserve seafood safety and safeguard public health, however, constant monitoring of fish metal levels is necessary.

This study was carried out to determine metal levels accumulated in the sediments collected from the transitional and coastal waters of the southern Black Sea. Samples were taken from 32 stations in May and September 2018. The concentrations of elements were measured by an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Contamination Factor (Cf), and Modified Degree of Contamination (mCd) were applied to the data for assessing the sediment quality. Associations between the variables were also revealed by factor analysis. Igeo of metals are obtained in coastal sediments only when Hg in May and Cr in September are classified as moderately polluted. PLIs exceeded one at stations in the industrial zone, indicating getting worse. It is necessary to prevent pollution from industrial, domestic, and agricultural sources and to control agricultural lands.

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of heavy metal concentrations in anchovy samples collected from the coasts of Samsun and Sinop, Black Sea, with a focus on evaluating potential health risks for three distinct age groups. The mean metals were 0.0039, 0.0131, 0.0189, 0.1271, 3.53, and 2.471mg/ kg wet wt. for Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn and Fe, respectively. The Estimated Daily Index for infants, children, and adults indicated that the potential exposure to heavy metals through anchovy consumption remained well below established safety thresholds, thus confirming the safety of anchovy consumption for all age groups. Furthermore, the health risk analysis, using the Hazard Quotients, showed that the noncarcinogenic health risks associated with heavy metal exposure in the anchovy samples were negligible, with total hazard quotients consistently below 1. This suggests no potential chronic health risks for consumers. Consumption of anchovy does not pose a carcinogenic risk regarding the Carcinogenic Risk Index calculated between 8.39 ×10−8 and 2.33 ×10−7 for Pb.

Aquatic environments are one of the final destinations for microplastics. In this review, a combination of systematic and narrative literature review was conducted to identify and summarise advances, gaps, and future directions in microplastic monitoring studies in the Turkish aquatic environment and in inhabiting aquatic organisms. A total of 62 peer-reviewed publications available on Web of Science were considered in the systematic review. Additionally, the current state of microplastic pollution in Turkish aquatic environments which includes marine and freshwater ecosystems, as well as aquatic organisms, and sources and characteristics of microplastics were reviewed narratively. Türkiye`s position on the global plastic treaty and mitigation practices were also addressed. Although an increase in the number of publications over time was observed, the number and extent of studies carried out in freshwater ecosystems are limited. Strict legislation should be enacted and enforced to tackle plastic pollution in Türkiye. Additionally, nationwide, long-term monitoring studies at sufficiently regular intervals in aquatic environments should be considered.

The present study aimed to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe) in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) samples collected from the Black Sea coast in 2022. The research involved analysing male and female turbot samples for their potential to accumulate these metals and assessing the associated health risks for different age groups (infants, children, adults). Metal analyses were conducted using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometry (ICP-MS), and risk assessment was performed using the Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Risk Index (RI) methods. Results showed that the mean concentrations of heavy metals in both male and female turbots were consistently below the established safety limits set by national and international regulatory authorities. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and THQ values for all metals were found to be well below the corresponding reference doses, indicating no significant noncarcinogenic health risks associated with turbot consumption. Furthermore, the RI values for metals with available Cancer Slope Factors (CSF) were extremely low, suggesting negligible carcinogenic risk from consuming turbot.

Anthropogenic activities are the major source of chemical pollutants including heavy metals in the coastal ecosystem which may accumulate in the aquatic organisms through the food web. Metal contamination in the marine fish pose serious threat to human health. This study deals with the human health risks of metal accumulation from Sarda orientalis consumption. The quantities of heavy metals were investigated in muscle, gills, and liver of striped bonito from the commercial landings of Karachi Fish Harbor, Pakistan (northern Arabian Sea). Risk for human health was evaluated by iron, zinc, manganese, copper, lead, cadmium, estimated daily intake, hazard index, and risk index. The hazard index value is <1, indicating that the estimated exposure is below reference dose for the relevant metals for monsoon, winter, and pre-monsoon. The mean hazard index for iron, zinc, manganese, copper, lead, and cadmium was 1.20 x 10(-2) for consumers. The mean risk index of lead for S. orientalis was 7.39 x 10(-9). As a result, the metals did not exceed the World Health Organization's and the United States Environmental Protection Agency's toxicological reference.

This research was carried out to determine the levels of Cd, Hg, Pb, As, Al, Cu, Fe and Zn in the muscles of Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus. The fish samples were collected from the Samsun coasts of the Black Sea between September and December in both 2021 and 2022 and were analysed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer. The metal values in the muscle tissues of horse mackerel were below the permissible values. Zn has the higher mean concentration (5.475 mg/kg wet weight (w.w.)) followed by Fe (mean concentration of 3.887 mg/kg w.w.) and Cu (mean concentration of 0.178 mg/kg w.w.) The Cd was found at the lowest (0.0077 mg/kg w.w.) mean concentration followed by Hg (0.0096 mg/kg w.w.), Pb (0.0453 mg/kg w.w.), and Al (0. 1077 mg/kg w.w.). The target hazard quotients (THQs) for individual metals and the total target hazard quotients (TTHQs) were