On October 23, within the framework of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Program CARE SEA grant, a seminar was held at the Department of Geography of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Health Care of BSU on the topic: “Sampling Strategy for the Study of Plastic and Nanoplastic Pollution”. The discussion touched the types and sources of nanoplastic pollution of rivers and the Black Sea coastline, the study method. Where and when should samples be taken for scientific research to study nanoplastics, how to classify nanoplastics using a microscope according to their origin, color and shapes. After the seminar, a field trip was taken to the Chorokhi River Gorge on the Georgian side from the Chorokhi confluence to the village of Kirnati on the Georgian-Turkish border. Sampling points were marked with the corresponding GPS coordinates. Similar studies will be carried out on the Turkish side of the river in the Chorokhi Valley.

Based on the results of the research, pollution sources will be identified based on a comparative analysis and a transboundary management plan for plastic and nanoplastic pollution between Georgia and Turkey will be developed on how to reduce and manage waste. The seminar, which was conducted by Professor Kadir Sayhan, Associate Professors Koray Ozseker and Yahya Terdzi of Trabzon Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey, was attended by professors and students of the Departments of Geography and Ecology of the Faculty.