Pollution

The Marmara Sea is being choked by pollution—and most of it comes from the land. Nearly 90% of marine waste is land-based, drifting into the sea from cities, villages, and islands where proper waste systems are either broken or non-existent.

Without municipal support, coastal communities are overwhelmed by trash. That trash ends up back in the sea.

Pollution in the Marmara Sea

As of 2025, over 25 million pieces of waste are floating in the Marmara Sea.
Plastic, glass, paper, even untreated chemicals—all of it settles into the water, the seafloor, and the stomachs of marine life. With every wave, the waste returns.

Experts warn that if pollution isn’t drastically reduced, oxygen depletion could trigger a collapse—turning the Marmara into another Black Sea scenario.
But if we act now, there’s hope. Reducing pollution by even half could help oxygen levels return to safe thresholds in just 5–6 years.

This is not just an environmental issue. It’s a human one.
And it starts with what we throw away.

Types of Waste

Solid Waste
Microplastics
Macroplastics
Wastewater
Chemical Waste
Noise Pollution
Airborne Emissions

Solid Waste

About This Type

Everyday trash like plastic bags, bottles, cans, and wrappers that accumulate along coasts and in the sea. Most of it comes from poor waste management on land.

Visual and scientific references adapted from research published by various marine science platforms.
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