Cotton buds: The new villain of the marine litter story in the coastal lagoon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/Keywords:
Marine pollution, Waste management, Plastic, Carbonyl index, Ecological riskAbstract
Plastic bags, bottles, packing tapes, and fishing lines are at the forefront of the discussion on plastic pollution in
the oceans. However, scientific interest on the role of cotton buds in such context is rapidly increasing, as these
objects continue to be widely used and discarded improperly. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the
abundance and fate of cotton buds as a case study in the Küçükçekmece Lagoon. At two sampling stations,
the pebbly beach and the rocky beach, a total of 854 cotton buds were found over the course of six months with
an average value of 71.16 litters m-2 per month. The similarity of months of occurrence in summer and autumn
was statistically significant. However, in November and December, when meteorological conditions were more
severe, significant similarity was observed. Furthermore, the results of the potential environmental hazard, risk
assessment, and carbonyl index were used to provide answers to the main problems of cotton bud pollution.
Consequently, the hazard level was classified as either III or IV and the risk level was determined unfriendly.
In total, 44.5% of the samples had a high level of oxidation. EDX analysis also confirmed that the biofilm
influenced the accumulation of metals on the plastic surface. Overall, the results have addressed the issues that
should be considered in improving the management strategies for plastics, which can be implemented to reduce
the environmental impact of plastics and achieved the main objective of raising awareness on the accumulation
of plastic waste generated by anthropogenic activities in coastal areas.
References
Akarsu, C., Kumbur, H., Gökdağ, K., Kıdeyş, A. E. &
Sanchez-Vidal, A. 2020. Microplastics composition and
load from three wastewater treatment plants discharging
into Mersin Bay, north eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 150, 110776. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110776
Akarsu, C., Madenli, Ö. & Deveci, E. 2021. Characterization
of littered face masks in the southeastern part of Turkey.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(34),
–47527. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-
-14099-8
Akarsu, C., Sönmez, V., Altay, M., Pehlivan, T. & Sivri,
N. 2022. The spatial and temporal changes of beach
litter on Istanbul (Turkey) beaches as measured by
the clean-coast index. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 176,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.
113407
Albay, M., Matthiensen, A. & Codd, G. 2005. Occurrence
of toxic blue-green algae in the Kucukcekmece lagoon
(Istanbul, Turkey). Environmental Toxicology, 20(3),
–284. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.20118
Algan, O., Balkıs, N., Çağatay, M.N., Sarı, E. 2004. The
sources of metal contents in the shelf sediments from
the Marmara Sea, Turkey. Environmental Geology, 46,
–950.
Andrady, A. 2011. Microplastics in the marine environment.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62(8), 1596–1605. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.05.030
Andriolo, U., Gonçalves, G., Sobral, P. & Bessa, F. 2021.
Spatial and size distribution of macro-litter on coastal
dunes from drone images: A case study on the Atlantic
coast. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 169, 112490. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112490
Aragaw, T. 2020. Surgical face masks as a potential source
for microplastic pollution in the COVID-19 scenario.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 159, 111517. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111517
Araújo, M., Silva-Cavalcanti, J. & Costa, M. 2018.
Anthropogenic Litter on Beaches With Different Levels
of Development and Use: A Snapshot of a Coast in
Pernambuco (Brazil). Frontiers in Marine Science, 5,
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2018.00233
Asensio-Montesinos, F., Anfuso, G., Randerson, P. &
Williams, A. T. 2019. Seasonal comparison of beach
litter on Mediterranean coastal sites (Alicante, SE
Spain). Ocean & Coastal Management, 181, 104914.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104914
Ashton, K., Holmes, L. & Turner, A. 2010. Association
of metals with plastic production pellets in the
marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin,
(11), 2050–2055. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marpolbul.2010.07.014
Auta, H., Emenike, C. & Fauziah, S. 2017. Distribution and
importance of microplastics in the marine environment:
A review of the sources, fate, effects, and potential
solutions. Environment International, 102, 165–176.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.02.013
Balkıs, N., Topcuoğlu, S., Güven, K.C., Öztürk, B., Topaloğlu,
B., Kırbaşoğlu, Ç., Aksu, A. 2007. Heavy metals in
shallow sediments from the Black Sea, Marmara Sea
and Aegean Sea regions of Turkey. Journal of the Black
Sea / Mediterranean Environment, 13, 147-153.
Barnes, D., Galgani, F., Thompson, R. & Barlaz, M. 2009.
Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global
environments. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal
Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), 1985–1998.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0205
Barrett, J., Chase, Z., Zhang, J., Holl, M., Willis, K., Williams,
A., Hardesty, B. & Wilcox, C. 2020. Microplastic Pollution
in Deep-Sea Sediments From the Great Australian
Bight. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.3389/fmars.2020.576170
Battisti, C. & Gippoliti, S. 2019. Not just trash! Anthropogenic
marine litter as a ‘charismatic threat’ driving citizenbased conservation management actions. Animal
Conservation, 22(4), 311–313. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1111/acv.12473
Battisti, C., Kroha, S., Kozhuharova, E., De Michelis, S.,
Fanelli, G., Poeta, G., Pietrelli, L. & Cerfolli, F. 2019.
Fishing lines and fish hooks as neglected marine litter: first
Cotton buds in a coastal lagoon
Ocean and Coastal Research 2023, v71:e23031 15
Akarsu
data on chemical composition, densities, and biological
entrapment from a Mediterranean beach. Environmental
Science and Pollution Research, 26(1), 1000–1007. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3753-9
Bergmann, M., Mützel, S., Primpke, S., Tekman, M.,
Trachsel, J. & Gerdts, G. 2019. White and wonderful?
Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic.
Science Advances, 5(8). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/
sciadv.aax1157
Blettler, M., Ulla, M., Rabuffetti, A. & Garello, N. 2017.
Plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems: macro-,
meso-, and microplastic debris in a floodplain lake.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 189(11),
–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6305-8
Bremner, A. & Park, K. 2007. Public attitudes to the
management of invasive non-native species in Scotland.
Biological Conservation, 139(3–4), 306–314. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2007.07.005
Browne, M. A., Chapman, M. G., Thompson, R. C., Zettler,
L. A. A., Jambeck, J. & Mallos, N. J. 2015. Spatial and
Temporal Patterns of Stranded Intertidal Marine Debris:
Is There a Picture of Global Change? Environmental
Science & Technology, 49(12), 7082–7094. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.1021/es5060572
Bruge, A., Barreau, C., Carlot, J., Collin, H., Moreno, C. &
Maison, P. 2018. Monitoring Litter Inputs from the Adour
River (Southwest France) to the Marine Environment.
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 6(1), 24.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse6010024
Cesarini, G., Secco, S., Battisti, C., Questino, B., Marcello, L.
& Scalici, M. 2022. Temporal changes of plastic litter
and associated encrusting biota: Evidence from
Central Italy (Mediterranean Sea). Marine Pollution
Bulletin, 181, 113890. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marpolbul.2022.113890
Çevik, C., Kıdeyş, A., Tavşanoğlu, Ü., Kankılıç, G. &
Gündoğdu, S. 2021. A review of plastic pollution in
aquatic ecosystems of Turkey. Environmental Science
and Pollution Research, 29(18), 26230–26249. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17648-3
CleanOcean. 2021. Cotton Bud Marine Debris – Local
Problem, Global Issue. Accessed: https://www.
cleanocean.org/cotton-bud-survey.html
Cole, M., Lindeque, P., Halsband, C. & Galloway, T.
Microplastics as contaminants in the marine
environment: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin,
(12), 2588–2597. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marpolbul.2011.09.025
Çullu, A., Sönmez, V. & Sivri, N. 2021. Microplastic
contamination in surface waters of the Küçükçekmece
Lagoon, Marmara Sea (Turkey): Sources and areal
distribution. Environmental Pollution, 268, 115801. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115801
Deheyn, D. & Latz, M. 2006. Bioavailability of metals along
a contamination gradient in San Diego Bay (California,
USA). Chemosphere, 63(5), 818–834. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.07.066
Demir, S., Basaraner, M. & Gumus, A. T. 2021. Selection of
suitable parking lot sites in megacities: A case study for
four districts of Istanbul. Land Use Policy, 111, 105731.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2021.105731
Dinu, M. I. 2015. Interaction between metal ions in waters
with humic acids in gley-podzolic soils. Geochemistry
International, 53(3), 265–276. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1134/s0016702915030052
Dobaradaran, S., Schmidt, T., Nabipour, I., Khajeahmadi,
N., Tajbakhsh, S., Saeedi, R., Javad Mohammadi, M.,
Keshtkar, M., Khorsand, M. & Faraji Ghasemi, F. 2018.
Characterization of plastic debris and association of
metals with microplastics in coastline sediment along
the Persian Gulf. Waste Management, 78, 649–658.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.06.037
Dunlop, S., Dunlop, B. & Brown, M. 2020. Plastic pollution
in paradise: Daily accumulation rates of marine litter
on Cousine Island, Seychelles. Marine Pollution
Bulletin, 151, 110803. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marpolbul.2019.110803
Eastman, L. B., Núñez, P., Crettier, B. & Thiel, M. 2013.
Identification of self-reported user behavior, education
level, and preferences to reduce littering on beaches
– A survey from the SE Pacific. Ocean & Coastal
Management, 78, 18–24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
ocecoaman.2013.02.014
Effendi, H., Kawaroe, M., Mursalin & Lestari, D. 2016.
Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in
Surface Sediment of Mahakam Delta, East Kalimantan.
Procedia Environmental Sciences, 33, 574–582. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2016.03.110
Erkan, H., Turan, N., Albay, M. & Engin, G. 2021. Microplastic
pollution in seabed sediments at different sites on the
shores of Istanbul-Turkey: Preliminary results. Journal
of Cleaner Production, 328, 129539. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129539
Fan, J., Zou, L., Duan, T., Qin, L., Qi, Z. & Sun, J.
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics
in surface water and sediments in China’s inland
water systems: A critical review. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 331, 129968. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jclepro.2021.129968
Fazey, F. M. C. & Ryan, P. G. 2016. Debris size and
buoyancy influence the dispersal distance of stranded
litter. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 110(1), 371–377. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.06.039
Fidra. 2023. The Cotton Bud Project. Accessed: https://
www.fidra.org.uk/projects/cotton-buds/
Focke, W., Mashele, R. & Nhlapo, N. 2011. Stabilization
of low-density polyethylene films containing metal
stearates as photodegradants. Journal of Vinyl and
Additive Technology, 17(1), 21–27. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1002/vnl.20248
Fortibuoni, T., Amadesi, B. & Vlachogianni, T. 2021.
Composition and abundance of macrolitter along the
Italian coastline: The first baseline assessment within
the european Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Environmental Pollution, 268, 115886. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115886
Foshtomi, M., Oryan, S., Taheri, M., Bastami, K. & Zahed, M.
Composition and abundance of microplastics in
surface sediments and their interaction with sedimentary
heavy metals, PAHs and TPH (total petroleum
hydrocarbons). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 149, 110655.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110655
Cotton buds in a coastal lagoon
Ocean and Coastal Research 2023, v71:e23031 16
Akarsu
Gallitelli, L., Battisti, C., Olivieri, Z., Marandola, C., Acosta, A.
& Scalici, M. 2021. Carpobrotus spp. patches as
trap for litter: Evidence from a Mediterranean beach.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 173, 113029. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113029
Gallitelli, L. & Scalici, M. 2022. Riverine macroplastic
gradient along watercourses: A global overview.
Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 937944. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.937944
Gao, F., Li, J., Sun, C., Zhang, L., Jiang, F., Cao, W. & Zheng,
L. 2019. Study on the capability and characteristics
of heavy metals enriched on microplastics in marine
environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 144, 61–67.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.039
González-Fernández, D., Cózar, A., Hanke, G., Viejo, J.,
Morales-Caselles, C., Bakiu, R., Barceló, D., Bessa, F.,
Bruge, A., Cabrera, M., Castro-Jiménez, J., Constant, M.,
Crosti, R., Galletti, Y., Kideys, A., Machitadze, N.,
Pereira De Brito, J., Pogojeva, M., Ratola, N., Rigueira,
J., Rojo-Nieto, E., Savenko, O., Schöneich-Argent,
R., Siedlewicz, G., Suaria, G. & Tourgeli, M. 2021.
Floating macrolitter leaked from Europe into the ocean.
Nature Sustainability, 4(6), 474–483. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1038/s41893-021-00722-6
Gürevin, C., Erturk, A. & Albay, M. 2017. Predicting
the effects of sediment based internal nutrient
loads on eutrophication in Küçükçekmece Lagoon
for rehabilitation planning. International Journal of
Sediment Research, 32(4), 527–554. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.ijsrc.2016.08.002
Hakanson, L. 1980. An ecological risk index for aquatic
pollution control.a sedimentological approach.
Water Research, 14(8), 975–1001. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/0043-1354(80)90143-8
Hale, R., Seeley, M., La Guardia, M., Mai, L. & Zeng, E.
A Global Perspective on Microplastics. Journal
of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 125(1). DOI: https://
doi.org/10.1029/2018jc014719
Hickman, J. 2011. Extent of cotton-bud use in ears. British
Journal of General Practice, 61(593), 722.1-722. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp11X613089
Holmes, L., Turner, A. & Thompson, R. 2014. Interactions
between trace metals and plastic production pellets under
estuarine conditions. Marine Chemistry, 167, 25–32.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2014.06.001
Huang, J., Peng, S., Mao, X., Li, F., Guo, S., Shi, L., Shi, Y.,
Yu, H. & Zeng, G.-M. 2019. Source apportionment and
spatial and quantitative ecological risk assessment of
heavy metals in soils from a typical Chinese agricultural
county. Process Safety and Environmental Protection,
, 339–347. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.
04.023
Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R.,
Perryman, M., Andrady, A., Narayan, R. & Law, K. L.
Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean.
Science, 347(6223), 768–771. DOI: https://doi.org/
1126/science.1260352
Kopuz, E., Erim, A. & Altındağ, S. 2018. Coastal Pollution
in Istanbul. Uludağ University Journal of The Faculty
of Engineering, 23(3), 27–36. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.17482/uumfd.428698
Lares, M., Ncibi, M.C., Sillanpaa, M., Silanpaa. 2018.
Occurrence, identification and removal of microplastic
particles and fibers in conventional activated sludge
process and advanced MBR technology. Water
Research, 133, 236-246.
Lee, K.-W., Shim, W., Kwon, O. & Kang, J.-H. 2013. SizeDependent Effects of Micro Polystyrene Particles in the
Marine Copepod Tigriopus japonicus. Environmental
Science & Technology, 47(19), 11278–11283. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1021/es401932b
Li, F., Huang, J., Zeng, G., Liu, W., Huang, X., Huang, B., Gu,
Y., Shi, L., He, X. & He, Y. 2015. Toxic metals in topsoil
under different land uses from Xiandao District, middle
China: distribution, relationship with soil characteristics,
and health risk assessment. Environmental Science
and Pollution Research, 22(16), 12261–12275. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4425-7
Li, Y., Chen, G., Xu, K., Huang, K. & Wang, J. 2021.
Microplastics Environmental Effect and Risk
Assessment on the Aquaculture Systems from South
China. International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health, 18(4), 1869. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.3390/ijerph18041869
Lippiatt, S., Opfer, S. & Arthur, C. 2013. Marine Debris
Monitoring and Assessment (techreport No. R-46).
Silver Spring: NOAA Marine Debris Division.
Lithner, D., Larsson, Å. & Dave, G. 2011. Environmental
and health hazard ranking and assessment of plastic
polymers based on chemical composition. Science
of The Total Environment, 409(18), 3309–3324. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.04.038
Liu, S., Huang, J., Zhang, W., Shi, L., Yi, K., Yu, H., Zhang,
C., Li, S. & Li, J. 2022. Microplastics as a vehicle of
heavy metals in aquatic environments: A review of
adsorption factors, mechanisms, and biological effects.
Journal of Environmental Management, 302, 113995.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113995
Liu, Z., Adyel, T., Miao, L., You, G., Liu, S. & Hou, J. 2021.
Biofilm influenced metal accumulation onto plastic
debris in different freshwaters. Environmental Pollution,
, 1776646. DOI: https://doi.org/1776646.10.1016/j.
envpol.2021.117646
Malli, A., Shehayeb, A. & Yehya, A. 2023. Occurrence and
risks of microplastics in the ecosystems of the Middle
East and North Africa (MENA). Environmental Science
and Pollution Research, 30(24), 64800–64826. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-27029-7
Mandić, M., Gvozdenović, S., De Vito, D., Alfonso, G., Daja,
S., Ago, B., Cela, E., Ivanović, A., Zoto, A., Malovrazić,
N., Beli, E., Ingrosso, G., De Leo, F., Pestorić, B., Lule,
A., Vata, F., De Rinaldis, A., Carpentieri, C., Bode, A.,
Nazaj, S., Hoxhaj, M,, Durmishi, C,, Paladini, G,, Peraš,
I,, Raičević, M,, Fraissinet, S,, Boero, F,, Piraino, S.
Setting thresholds is not enough: Beach litter as
indicator of poor environmental status in the southern
Adriatic Sea. Marine pollution bulletin, 177, 113551.
Marin, C., Niero, H., Zinnke, I., Pellizzetti, M., Santos, P.,
Rudolf, A., Beltrão, M., Waltrick, D. & Polette, M. 2019.
Marine debris and pollution indexes on the beaches of
Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Regional Studies in Marine
Science, 31, 100771. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
rsma.2019.100771
Cotton buds in a coastal lagoon
Ocean and Coastal Research 2023, v71:e23031 17
Akarsu
Marine Conservation Society. 2021. Great Britiah Beach
Clean results: UK. Accessed: https://www.mcsuk.org/
news/great-british-beach-clean-results-uk/
Markic, A., Gaertner, J.-C., Gaertner-Mazouni, N. &
Koelmans, A. 2020. Plastic ingestion by marine fish in
the wild. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and
Technology, 50(7), 657–697. DOI: https://doi.org/10.10
/10643389.2019.1631990
Martins, J. & Sobral, P. 2011. Plastic marine debris on
the Portuguese coastline: a matter of size? Marine
Pollution Bulletin, 62(12), 2649–2653. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.09.028
Montarsolo, A., Mossotti, R., Patrucco, A., Caringella, R.,
Zoccola, M., Pozzo, P. & Tonin, C. 2018. Study on the
microplastics release from fishing nets. The European
Physical Journal Plus, 133(11), 494. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1140/epjp/i2018-12415-1
Mourgkogiannis, N., Kalavrouziotis, I. & Karapanagioti,
H. 2018. Questionnaire-based survey to managers of
wastewater treatment plants in Greece confirms
their potential as plastic marine litter sources. Marine
Pollution Bulletin, 133, 822–827. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.044
Pan, Z., Liu, Q., Jiang, R., Li, W., Sun, X., Lin, H., Jiang, S. &
Huang, H. 2021. Microplastic pollution and ecological risk
assessment in an estuarine environment: The Dongshan
Bay of China. Chemosphere, 262, 127876. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127876
Plastic Soup Foundation. 2018. Plastic cotton buds are on
the way out, but not yet in The Netherlands. Accessed:
https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/2018/02/
plastic-cotton-buds-are-on-the-way-out-but-not-yet-thenetherlands/
Poeta, G., Battisti, C. & Acosta, A. 2014. Marine litter in
Mediterranean sandy littorals: Spatial distribution
patterns along central Italy coastal dunes. Marine
Pollution Bulletin, 89(1–2), 168–173. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.10.011
Poeta, G., Battisti, C., Bazzichetto, M. & Acosta, A. 2016.
The cotton buds beach: marine litter assessment
along the tyrrhenian coast of Central Italy following the
marine strategy framework directive criteria. Mar. Pollut.
Bull, 113(1–2), 266–270. DOI: https://doi.org/266-
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.09.035
Poeta, G., Bazzichetto, M., Gallitelli, L., Garzia, M., Aprea,
F., Bartoli, F., Battisti, C., Cascone, S., Corradi, A.,
D’Amelia, D., D’Amico, E., Luca, J. D., Grosso, F.
D., Iacobelli, L., Langone, S., Fazio, C. L., Locchi,
G., Perrone, M., Petroni, F., Raimondi, D., Romiti, F.,
Secco, S., Sonet, L., Spinelli, A., Toscano, S., Vanadia,
S., Vecchi, S., Zanon, F. & Malavasi, M. 2022. One
year after on Tyrrhenian coasts: The ban of cotton
buds does not reduce their dominance in beach litter
composition. Marine Policy, 143, 105195. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105195
Prarat, P. & Hongsawat, P. 2022. Microplastic pollution
in surface seawater and beach sand from the
shore of Rayong province, Thailand: Distribution,
characterization, and ecological risk assessment.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 174, 113200. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113200
Prata, J., Reis, V., Paço, A., Martins, P., Cruz, A., Da
Costa, J., Duarte, A. & Rocha-Santos, T. 2020. Effects
of spatial and seasonal factors on the characteristics
and carbonyl index of (micro)plastics in a sandy beach
in Aveiro Portugal. Science of The Total Environment,
, 135892. DOI: https://doi.org/135892.10.1016/j.
scitotenv.2019.135892
Rayon-Viña, F., Fernandez-Rodriguez, S., Ibabe, A.,
Dopico, E. & Garcia-Vazquez, E. 2022. Public
awareness of beach litter and alien invasions:
Implications for early detection and management.
Ocean & Coastal Management, 219, 106040. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106040
Rayon-Viña, F., Miralles, L., Gómez-Agenjo, M., Dopico,
E. & Garcia-Vazquez, E. 2018. Marine litter in south
Bay of Biscay: Local differences in beach littering are
associated with citizen perception and awareness.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 131, 727–735. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.04.066
Rodrigues, M., Abrantes, N., Gonçalves, F., Nogueira, H.,
Marques, J. & Gonçalves, A. 2018. Spatial and temporal
distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of a
freshwater system (Antuã River, Portugal). Science of
The Total Environment, 633, 1549–1559. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.233
Rouillon, C., Bussiere, P.-O., Desnoux, E., Collin, S., Vial, C.,
Therias, S. & Gardette, J.-L. 2016. Is carbonyl
index a quantitative probe to monitor polypropylene
photodegradation? Polymer Degradation and
Stability, 128, 200–208. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
polymdegradstab.2015.12.011
Rummel, C., Jahnke, A., Gorokhova, E., Kühnel, D. &
Schmitt-Jansen, M. 2017. Impacts of Biofilm Formation
on the Fate and Potential Effects of Microplastic in
the Aquatic Environment. Environmental Science &
Technology Letters, 4(7), 258–267. DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1021/acs.estlett.7b00164
Santos-Echeandía, J., Rivera-Hernández, J. R., Rodrigues,
J. P. & Moltó, V. 2020. Interaction of mercury with
beached plastics with special attention to zonation,
degradation status and polymer type. Marine
Chemistry, 222, 103788. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marchem.2020.103788
Schmid, C., Cozzarini, L. & Zambello, E. 2021. A critical
review on marine litter in the Adriatic Sea: Focus on
plastic pollution. Environmental Pollution, 273, 116430.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116430
Schnurr, R., Alboiu, V., Chaudhary, M., Corbett, R., Quanz, M.,
Sankar, K., Srain, H., Thavarajah, V., Xanthos, D.
& Walker, T. 2018. Reducing marine pollution from
single-use plastics (SUPs): A review. Marine Pollution
Bulletin, 137, 157–171. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marpolbul.2018.10.001
Scisciolo, T. de, Mijts, E., Becker, T. & Eppinga, M. 2016.
Beach debris on Aruba, Southern Caribbean: Attribution
to local land-based and distal marine-based sources.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 106(1–2), 49–57. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.03.039
Şenduran, C. 2007. Investigation of limnological features
and sediment transport in Küçükçekmece Lagoon.
Yıldız Technical University.
Cotton buds in a coastal lagoon
Ocean and Coastal Research 2023, v71:e23031 18
Akarsu
Shakeel, M., Nair, S., Ahmad, Z. & Gordon, A. 2015. Forgotten
cause of ear infection: forgotten cotton buds. Journal of
Otolaryngology-ENT Research, 3(5), 326–328. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15406/joentr.2015.03.00078
Shiker, M. A. K. 2012. Multivariate Statistical Analysis.
British Journal of Science, 6(1), 55–66.
Siddiqa, A. J., Chaudhury, K. & Adhikari, B. 2015.
Hydrophilic Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Films for
Cell Adhesion and Proliferation. Research & Reviews:
Journal of Medicinal & Organic Chemistry.
Silva-Cavalcanti, J., Barbosa De Araújo, M. & Ferreira Da
Costa, M. 2009. Plastic litter on an urban beach — a case
study in Brazil. Waste Management & Research:
The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, 27(1),
–97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242x08088705
Si̇vri̇, N., Jones, M., Allen, M.J. 2014. Pseudomonas
aeruginosa isolated from the marine environments in the
Istanbul coastal area (Turkey). Fresenius Environmental
Bulletin, 23(12b), 3340-3344.
Smith, L. & Turrell, W. 2021. Monitoring Plastic Beach
Litter by Number or by Weight: The Implications of
Fragmentation. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, 702570.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.702570
Sobhani, Z., Lei, Y., Tang, Y., Wu, L., Zhang, X., Naidu, R.,
Megharaj, M. & Fang, C. 2020. Microplastics generated
when opening plastic packaging. Scientific Reports, 10(1),
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61146-4
Sönmez, V. Z. & Sivri, N. 2022. Temporal changes in water
quality index of polluted lagoon ecosystems: a case
study on the Küçükçekmece Lagoon. Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment, 194(1). DOI: https://doi.
org/10.1007/s10661-021-09632-8
Taner, M., Üstün, B. & Erdinçler, A. 2011. A simple tool
for the assessment of water quality in polluted lagoon
systems: A case study for Küçükçekmece Lagoon,
Turkey. Ecological Indicators, 11(2), 749–756. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2010.08.003
Tarlan, E. & Ahmetli, G. 2007. Fe(II) adsorption onto natural
polymers derived from low-grade lignites. Journal of
Applied Polymer Science, 105(5), 3146–3152. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1002/app.26583
Thiel, M., Hinojosa, I. A., Miranda, L., Pantoja, J. F.,
Rivadeneira, M. M. & Vásquez, N. 2013. Anthropogenic
marine debris in the coastal environment: A multi-year
comparison between coastal waters and local shores.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 71(1–2), 307–316. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.01.005
Vedolin, M., Teophilo, C., Turra, A. & Figueira, R. 2018. Spatial
variability in the concentrations of metals in beached
microplastics. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 129(2), 487–493.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.019
Veiga, J. M., Fleet, D., Kinsey, S., Nilsson, P., Vlachogianni,
T., Werner, S., Galgani, F., Thompson, R., Dagevos,
J., Gago, J., Sobral, P. & Cronin, R. 2016. Identifying
of Sources Marine Litter, MSFD GES TG Marine Litter
Thematic Report. JRC. Bruxelles: Publications Office of
the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2788/018068
Velez, N., Zardi, G., Lo Savio, R., Mcquaid, C., Valbusa, U.,
Sabour, B. & Nicastro, K. 2019. A baseline assessment of
beach macrolitter and microplastics along northeastern
Atlantic shores. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 149, 110649.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110649
Weideman, E., Perold, V., Omardien, A., Smyth, L. & Ryan,
P. 2020. Quantifying temporal trends in anthropogenic
litter in a rocky intertidal habitat. Marine Pollution
Bulletin, 160, 111543. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marpolbul.2020.111543
Wenneker, B., Oosterbaan, L. & Intersessional
Correspondence Group on Marine Litter. 2010. Guideline
for Monitoring Marine Litter on the Beaches in the
OSPAR Maritime Area. London: OSPAR Commission,
pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25607/OBP-968
Werner, S., Budziak, A., van Franeker, J., Galgani, F.,
Hanke, G., Maes, T., Matiddi, M., Nilsson, P.,
Oosterbaan, L., Priestland, E., Thompson, R., Veiga, J.
& Vlachogianni, T. 2016. Harm caused by Marine Litter.
JRC Technical report. Luxembourg: Publications Office
of the European Union. https://doi.org/10.2788/690366
Williams, A. T., Randerson, P., Allen, C. & Cooper, J.
A. G. 2017. Beach litter sourcing: A trawl along the
Northern Ireland coastline. Marine Pollution Bulletin,
(1–2), 47–64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marpolbul.2017.05.066
Willis, K., Hardesty, B. D., Kriwoken, L. & Wilcox, C.
Differentiating littering, urban runoff and marine
transport as sources of marine debris in coastal and
estuarine environments. Scientific Reports, 7(1). DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1038/srep44479
Xu, P., Peng, G., Su, L., Gao, Y., Gao, L. & Li, D. 2018.
Microplastic risk assessment in surface waters: A case
study in the Changjiang Estuary, China. Marine Pollution
Bulletin, 133, 647–654. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
marpolbul.2018.06.020
Yilmaz, N., Ozyigit, I., Dogan, I., Demir, G. & Yalcin, I.
A case study performed in Kucukcekmece
Lagoon channel/Istanbul, Turkey: how the heavy
metal contamination and the seasonal variations on
phytoplankton composition influence water quality.
Desalination and Water Treatment, 239, 126–136. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2021.27817
Yuan, Z., Nag, R. & Cummins, E. 2022. Ranking of
potential hazards from microplastics polymers in
the marine environment. Journal of Hazardous
Materials, 429, 128399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jhazmat.2022.128399
Zarfl, C. & Matthies, M. 2010. Are marine plastic particles
transport vectors for organic pollutants to the Arctic?
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60(10), 1810–1814. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.05.026
Zhou, Y., Wang, J., Zou, M., Jia, Z., Zhou, S. & Li, Y. 2020.
Microplastics in soils: A review of methods, occurrence,
fate, transport, ecological and environmental risks.
Science of The Total Environment, 748, 141368. DOI:
