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Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastic contaminated with heavy metals in a tropical river: Effect of land use and population density
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Researchers studied microplastic pollution in Thailand's Chao Phraya River and found that population density and land use strongly influence contamination levels. Urban areas had the highest microplastic concentrations, and many particles were contaminated with heavy metals. The findings suggest that microplastics in rivers can serve as carriers of toxic metals, compounding the pollution risk for downstream communities.
Microplastics are of concern due to their potential environmental risks. This research aims to find the effect of land use (agriculture, urban, and aquaculture) and population density on the abundance of microplastics contaminated with heavy metals in surface water and sediment of the Chao Phraya River in Thailand. Results indicated that population density is directly correlated with increased microplastic abundance. Most microplastics were found in the urban zone (water: 80 ± 38 items/m and sediment: 62 ± 11 items/kg) and were small fragments (0.05 to 0.3 mm). Polymer types of polypropylene and polyethylene were commonly found. Heavy metals of Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Ti were detected in microplastics in water and sediment, with Cu, Pb, and Zn being the most dominant. Heavy metals in microplastics were highest in the agriculture zone. In general, the presence of metals on microplastics may potentially impact the ecosystem and human health.
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Microplastic contamination on the lower Chao Phraya: Abundance, characteristic and interaction with heavy metals
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Researchers investigated microplastic abundance, characteristics, and heavy metal interactions in water and sediment samples from the lower Chao Phraya River in Thailand, collecting samples via manta trawl and sediment grab. The study documented the distribution and polymer types of microplastics in a Southeast Asian river and examined their capacity to carry associated heavy metal contaminants.
Microplastics Contamination in a High Population Density Area of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok
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This study measured microplastic concentrations in surface water and sediment from a densely populated stretch of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, finding particles at all sites with higher levels in sediment than in water. Bangkok's high population density and inadequate plastic waste management are major contributors to microplastic contamination in this major urban river.
Microplastic Pollution in High Population Density Zones of Selected Rivers from Southeast Asia
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Researchers compared microplastic pollution in three major Southeast Asian rivers, the Chao Phraya in Thailand, the Saigon River in Vietnam, and the Citarum River in Indonesia, all in densely populated urban areas. Microplastics were found at every sampling site, with the highest levels in Thailand's river. Since these rivers supply water for drinking, agriculture, and fishing for millions of people, the contamination directly affects human microplastic exposure in the region.
Urbanization Drives Microplastic Pollution in Thailand's Mun River: A Multi-Index Risk Assessment and Spatial Distribution Analysis
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in Thailand's Mun River across natural, agricultural, and urban areas, finding urban zones had dramatically higher microplastic concentrations. Polypropylene fibers dominated the samples, and risk assessments showed substantial ecological and human health hazards across all sites, with urban areas posing the greatest danger — evidence that city development directly intensifies river microplastic pollution.
Assessment of microplastic contamination in the urban lower Chao Phraya River of Bangkok city, Thailand
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Researchers collected microplastics from five sites along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok using a Manta net and identified polymers via FTIR, finding average concentrations of 21 particles/m3 with polypropylene dominant and highest counts at midstream urban sites, indicating that single-use plastic packaging degradation is a primary source of riverine microplastic pollution in this urban corridor.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.