Rivers are critical pathways of microplastic (MP) pollution to marine environments, yet their contributions to the Black Sea remain understudied. This study evaluates the abundance and characteristics (polymer composition, shape, size, and color) of MPs discharged from 29 rivers flowing into the southern Black Sea. Using a plankton net with a 200 μm mesh size, samples were collected from river mouths, revealing an average MP abundance of 9.63 ± 1.27 MP m⁻³, ranging from 1.03 to 29.8 MP m⁻³. Eastern Black Sea rivers exhibited significantly higher MP levels (11.0 ± 1.57 MP m⁻³) compared to western rivers (5.15 ± 1.25 MP m⁻³). Annual MP discharge to the Black Sea was estimated at 1.49 × 10¹¹ particles. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 59.3% ± 2.66%), polyethylene (PE, 20.8% ± 2.04%), and polypropylene (PP, 14.1% ± 2.36%) were the most common polymers, with PET and PE being significantly dominant. MP sizes ranged predominantly between 200–1000 μm, and fibers constituted the majority of shapes (64.1%), followed by fragments (28.3%). White (36.8% ± 1.93%) and transparent (30.9% ± 2.39%) MPs were the most prevalent colors. While no significant differences in MP characteristics were detected between basins (NMDS and ANOSIM), this study emphasizes rivers as major pathways for MP pollution in the Black Sea. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mitigation strategies to safeguard marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

The marine ecosystem is prone to pollution exposure due to a number of factors. Microplastic (MP) pollution has been a severe issue recently; however, studies on marine organisms are limited. The abundance and composition of MPs in highly consumed horse mackerel caught from the Turkish coast of the Black Sea were investigated here. A total of 27 MPs were detected in 121 horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus). The mean of MPs per fish was calculated as 0.22±0.14. While polyethylene was the most prevalent type, fiber, with a length range of 500 to 1000 µm (33%), was the most common form. These findings suggest that more study is required to determine the magnitude of MP contamination in the Black Sea.