More than 14 Million Tons of Microplastics Accumulated on the Floor of the Oceans

The amount of microplastic waste, which harms thousands of living things in nature and causes genetic deterioration in the human body, is increasing day by day. The data published by the European Environment Agency points to the existence of more than 14 million tons of microplastics on the floor of the oceans, and draws attention to the fact that microplastics are not only found in nature but also in human blood.

The amount of microplastic waste, defined as pieces of plastic waste smaller than five millimeters, is increasing day by day. According to data released by the European Environment Agency, more than 14 million tons of microplastics have accumulated on the floor of the oceans. Research indicates that microplastics are found not only in nature but also in human blood. While scientists continue to work to prevent this situation, research projects developed by universities in Turkey support sustainable initiatives against microplastics on a global scale.

Finally, TED University (TEDU) Civil Engineering Department Faculty Member Assoc. Dr. The research project proposal titled "Investigation of the Precipitation Rates of Regular and Irregular Shaped Microplastic Particles with Experimental, Numerical and Deep Learning Methods", prepared under the direction of Aslı Numanoğlu Genç and in which members from different disciplines participate as researchers, was accepted within the scope of TÜBİTAK ARDEB 1001 program. In the project, which will be supported by TÜBİTAK for 32 months, it is aimed to develop a precipitation rate calculation method that can be used reliably in modeling studies and will be valid for all microplastic types.

“Microplastics cause genetic disorders in the human body”

Pointing out that microplastics are one of the most important environmental problems of recent years, Assoc. Dr. Aslı Numanoğlu Genç shares the details of the project with the following words:

“The amount of microplastic waste in the environment is increasing. Microplastic wastes are even seen in the foods we consume. While microplastics cause genetic disorders in the human body, they also cause the death of living things in nature. In fact, it is known that there is a large amount of microplastic pollution in the Mediterranean, where our country also has long coasts, and that neighboring countries are planning to prevent this situation. We have developed a project based on the necessity of determining the sources of microplastic pollution, determining the potential to reach sea water, calculating the risks and preventing pollution, and our project proposal was deemed worthy of 32 months of support by TUBITAK.”

The project will be a source of information for decision makers.

Stating that the results of the research project will be a source of information for decision makers and practitioners, Assoc. Dr. Aslı Numanoğlu Genç, “Our project will also contribute to the title of “Investigation of Factors Affecting Water Ecosystems, including Climate Change, Mitigation and Sustainability of Water Management Models and Developing Solutions to Contribute to Restoration” created on TÜBİTAK priority R&D and innovation issues within the scope of Harmonization with the European Green Deal. . Prof. from the Civil Engineering Department of our university. Dr. Mehmet Ali Kökpınar from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Instructor Member Ayşe Çağıl Kandemir, Dr. Instructor Prof. Onur Baş from the Computer Engineering Department, Assoc. Dr. Gökçe Nur Yılmaz from Hacettepe University Department of Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Hatice Kaplan Can and Çankaya University Prof. Dr. Mustafa Göğüş is involved in our project. We would like to thank all the valuable academicians involved in the project in advance for their contributions.”