Seasonal effects, spatial distribution, and possible sources of microplastics in the Chao Phraya River estuary, Thailand
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
10934529
eISSN
15324117
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85150614322
Pubmed ID
36895153
Journal Title
Journal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
Volume
58
Issue
3
Start Page
256
End Page
266
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering Vol.58 No.3 (2023) , 256-266
Suggested Citation
Oo P.Z., Boontanon S.K., Boontanon N., Fujii S., Tanaka S. Seasonal effects, spatial distribution, and possible sources of microplastics in the Chao Phraya River estuary, Thailand. Journal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering Vol.58 No.3 (2023) , 256-266. 266. doi:10.1080/10934529.2023.2184618 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/81885
Title
Seasonal effects, spatial distribution, and possible sources of microplastics in the Chao Phraya River estuary, Thailand
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in estuaries are sources of plastic debris that enter the marine environment. However, there is limited information on the seasonal effect on the accumulation of MPs in the estuaries of Thailand. The abundance and spatial distribution of MPs in the dry and wet seasons were investigated in the Chao Phraya River estuary, and possible emission sources were traced. Dominant factors affecting the distribution patterns of MPs have also been reported. All collected water samples contained MPs, with a mean abundance of 4.0 ± 2.8 × 105 particles/km2 in the wet season and 5.2 ± 3.3 × 105 particles/km2 in the dry season. Fragments were mostly observed, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the dominant polymers. The findings also showed that accumulation of MPs was directly influenced by the river discharge rate into the estuary. Further, the spatial distribution of MPs was closely related to seasonal variations in sea surface currents. Microplastic pollution status with seasonal variations and possible emission sources could provide important information to the government and local environmental organizations for MP pollution prevention and future MP studies in estuarine environments.