We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of seasonal variations on microplastic accumulation and characteristics in sandy beaches of Sichang Island, the inner Gulf of Thailand
Summary
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in beach sediments on Sichang Island in the Gulf of Thailand across dry and wet seasons, finding that seasonal monsoon winds and currents strongly affected where plastics accumulated — increasing contamination on exposed windward beaches and reducing it on sheltered leeward ones. Polypropylene was the most common polymer found, and smaller microplastic particles became less abundant after the wet season, possibly dispersed further by wave action. The work highlights how local geography and seasonal weather patterns shape where microplastics concentrate along coastlines.
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants whose fate, transport, and ecological impacts require clarification. This study examines the abundance and characteristics of MPs (16-5000 μm) in sandy beach sediments on Sichang Island, the inner Gulf of Thailand, during the dry season and after a four-month wet season. On the western beach, exposed to monsoon winds and currents, MP abundance increased from 2295.38 ± 1227.44 pieces/kg in the dry season to 2386.63 ± 121.45 pieces/kg post-wet season. Conversely, the leeward eastern beach showed a significant decrease, from 686.29 ± 243.90 to 238.63 ± 121.45 pieces/kg. Polypropylene was the dominant polymer, with reduced variation in MP color and shape following the wet season. The proportion of smaller MPs (16-100 μm) decreased from 59 to 62 % in the dry season to 27-42 % post-wet season, while larger debris became more prevalent. These findings highlight seasonal shifts in MP accumulation and dispersal on sandy beaches influenced by hydrodynamic conditions.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Influence of monsoon seasonality and tidal cycle on microplastics presence and distribution in the Upper Gulf of Thailand
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution around Si Chang Island in the Gulf of Thailand across different monsoon seasons and found that seasonal weather patterns strongly influence microplastic abundance and distribution. Evidence suggests that UV exposure during dry seasons fragments plastic waste on land, which is then washed into the ocean by heavy rains during the wet season. The findings highlight how tropical climate cycles drive microplastic contamination in Southeast Asian coral reef areas.
Seasonal microplastic variations in estuarine sediments from urban canal on the west coast of Thailand: A case study in Phuket province
Researchers investigated seasonal variations in microplastic contamination in estuarine sediments from an urban canal in Phuket, Thailand. They found microplastic abundance was higher in the dry season than the rainy season, with rayon and polyester being the most common polymer types, suggesting that seasonal hydrological patterns and human activities both influence microplastic distribution in urban estuaries.
Influence of seasonal variations on the distribution characteristics of microplastics in the surface water of the Inner Gulf of Thailand
Researchers sampled surface water across 70-74 sites in the Inner Gulf of Thailand in both dry and wet seasons, finding microplastic concentrations 4 times higher in the wet season (34.59 pieces/L) than the dry season (8.70 pieces/L). River discharge was identified as the key driver of microplastic input to the coastal sea, and polypropylene and polyethylene were the dominant polymers.
Type and Distribution of Microplastics in Beach Sediment along the Coast of the Eastern Gulf of Thailand
Researchers examined microplastic distribution in beach sediments along the eastern Gulf of Thailand across two monsoon seasons, finding up to 1,698 pieces/m2 at the most contaminated site with PET (39.6%) and polyamide (22.8%) as the dominant polymer types among 17 identified.
Deciphering the seasonal dynamics of microplastic morphotypes and associated co-contaminants along the northwest coast of India
Researchers studied seasonal variations in microplastic abundance along the northwest coast of India bordering the Arabian Sea. The study found dramatically higher microplastic concentrations during monsoon season compared to pre- and post-monsoon periods, with polypropylene and high-density polyethylene as the dominant polymer types.