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First-of-Its-Kind: Nationwide meta-analysis of microplastic pollution and risk assessment in Thailand
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Thailand's first nationwide meta-analysis of microplastic pollution across 118 studies found the highest contamination in crustaceans and wastewater, with fibers and fragments of PET, nylon, polypropylene, and polyethylene dominating. While ecological risk was generally low except in wastewater systems, shrimp and fish showed higher microplastic susceptibility than reported in other regional studies.
Thailand ranks as the sixth largest contributor to global microplastic pollution, which is exacerbated by extensive plastic use. Despite rising concerns, no comprehensive review is available on microplastic contamination and its potential risk in Thailand. This review synthesised data on microplastic abundance and characteristics within the country from 118 peer-reviewed publications (2017-2024). We found predominant microplastic presence in crustaceans (1.69-160.15 items/g), followed by Mollusca (0.03-9.5 items/g) and fishes (0.01-28.17 items/g), with higher abundances in wastewater (4 × 10 to 6.09 × 10 items/m) compared to that in freshwater (1.44-2.92 × 10 items/m) and seawater (2.70 × 10 to 6.25 × 10 items/m). Marine sediments (48.3-2.13 × 10 items/kg) also showed significantly higher microplastic concentrations than terrestrial sediments (3-2.92 × 10 items/kg). Predominant microplastics were identified as fibers (59.36% and 35.05% for biological and environmental samples, respectively) and fragments (24.14%, 30.68%) in blue (25.95%, 18.64%), and colourless/transparent (20.01%, 14.47%), primarily composed of polyethylene terephthalate (19.46%, 9.19%), nylon (3.23%, 9.99%), polypropylene (19.78%, 24.23%), and polyethylene (14.81%, 11.66%). The potential ecological risk was low in all ecosystems except for wastewater. Shrimp and fish were more susceptible to microplastics compared to other studies in the region. Additionally, the sources, transport, and pathways of microplastic pollution in Thailand's aquatic territories and the current measures and policies implemented by the government to address plastic pollution are discussed. This review has compiled up-to-date insights into the prevalence, distribution, and risks associated with microplastics, which is instrumental in formulating effective strategies for contaminant control and ultimately reducing plastic pollution.
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Researchers in Thailand found microplastics in both wastewater and sludge from industrial wastewater treatment plants, identifying 14 polymer types with polyethylene being the most abundant. The study assessed ecological risks of microplastics co-occurring with heavy metals in an industrial setting.
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in 274 fish from Thailand's eastern coast and found that about 13% of specimens had ingested microplastics, predominantly PET fibers. Pelagic species showed slightly higher microplastic ingestion rates than bottom-dwelling species, though overall the contamination was relatively low compared to global averages. The study suggests that fish feeding behavior and habitat influence their exposure to microplastic pollution.
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