Assessment of microplastic contamination in the urban lower Chao Phraya River of Bangkok city, Thailand
Issued Date
2022-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
14778920
eISSN
19967829
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85137138484
Pubmed ID
36044192
Journal Title
Journal of Water and Health
Volume
20
Issue
8
Start Page
1243
End Page
1254
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Water and Health Vol.20 No.8 (2022) , 1243-1254
Suggested Citation
Ounjai K., Boontanon S.K., Piyaviriyakul P., Tanaka S., Fujii S. Assessment of microplastic contamination in the urban lower Chao Phraya River of Bangkok city, Thailand. Journal of Water and Health Vol.20 No.8 (2022) , 1243-1254. 1254. doi:10.2166/wh.2022.130 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/84686
Title
Assessment of microplastic contamination in the urban lower Chao Phraya River of Bangkok city, Thailand
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Rivers are one of the major pathways for the transportation of microplastics (MPs) from land-based sources to the ocean. However, there are only a few studies on MPs in freshwater environments, particularly in Asian countries. In this study, MP contamination in the Chao Phraya River in selected locations distributed throughout Bangkok, Thailand was investigated. MPs were collected using a Manta net with a mesh size of 335 μm. After digestion and distinction based on density, MPs were observed using a stereomicroscope, and polymer types were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. MP concentrations detected in the five sampling locations of the river water from upstream to downstream were 11, 35, 40, 15, and 4 particles/m3, with an average concentration of 21+16 particles/m3. Most MPs were identified as either fragments or sheets/films. Polypropylene was the dominant polymer type. The number of MPs increases as their size decreases. Potential sources of MPs may include the degradation of single-use plastic products, especially containers and plastic packaging. MP concentrations and characteristics varied for different locations, indicating different sources and pathways of MPs in urban contexts. Further investigation on the different pathways of the transportation of MPs to river water from land-based sources is required.