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Microplastics in the Inshore and Offshore Surface Water in the Andaman Sea
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Surface water surveys in the Andaman Sea found microplastic concentrations averaging 0.27 particles per cubic meter, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene as the dominant polymer types, and ocean circulation driving offshore accumulation. The results establish a baseline for a previously understudied marine region and underscore the need for expanded monitoring as currents redistribute plastic pollution across international waters.
Microplastics have been reported in almost all marine realms, but only little knowledge is available in the Andaman Sea. The purpose is to investigate the distribution of surface floating microplastics regarding the sources and surface circulation in the Andaman Sea. Samples were collected at five stations in March 2021 using a manta trawl (mesh size: 315 μm), and the COAWST model system was applied to simulate the surface current during the observation. Results revealed the abundance of microplastics ranges from 0.02 to 0.74 (0.27 ± 0.18 in average) particles/m3. Polymer composition analysis with micro-FT-IR found the three most abundant types as polypropylene (46.24%), polyethylene (26.32%), and polystyrene (24.81%). The ocean circulation model reveals westward flow, which corresponds with accretion of microplastics offshore. This indicates the spreading of the microplastics along with current off the Andaman Sea. Our finding is thought-provoking; hence, the Andaman Sea needs more attention on microplastic pollution.
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Researchers sampled ocean water down to 300 meters depth and detected microplastics throughout the water column, demonstrating that plastic pollution extends well below the surface and is not limited to the shallow or coastal zones most commonly studied.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.