Microplastic Pollution Hits Antalya’s Konyaaltı and Alanya Beaches in Turkey

Scientists have documented severe microplastic contamination on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, especially at Antalya’s Konyaaltı Beach and the Alanya shoreline. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Gökoğlu of Akdeniz University reported that the water is no longer clear, describing visible “dust‑like” particles as plastic fragments. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk warned that the beach is unsafe for swimming, noting potential health risks from microorganisms that can attach to the particles.

Research led by Prof. Dr. Sedat Gündoğdu (Çukurova University) traced the source of the pollution to massive imports of plastic waste—over 70,000 tonnes per month in April 2026, the highest in a decade. About 60 % of this waste is sent to recycling facilities in Adana and Mersin, but the country’s recycling capacity (≈1.125 million tonnes per year) is far below the 4 million tonnes of waste arriving. Heavy rains and river runoff carry the debris into the sea, where Mediterranean currents concentrate it along the Alanya coast during June‑July. The study also noted that the Dim River contributes relatively clean water, while fires at recycling plants have risen sharply, further aggravating the problem.