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Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics Contaminating the Surface Water of the Inner Gulf of Thailand
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Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic pollution in the inner Gulf of Thailand, finding an average of nearly 10 particles per liter in surface waters, dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene fibers and fragments. The moderate contamination levels detected suggest ongoing risk to marine ecosystems and the fisheries that coastal communities depend on for food.
Microplastics are pollutants with uncertain behaviors; they have mysterious impacts on marine environments. The present study is the first investigation of microplastic distribution in the surface water of the inner Gulf of Thailand. This study collected 100–200 L of surface water from 25 different sampling locations. Microplastics were visually counted and identified by Fourier-transform infrared microscopy. The results revealed that the average total abundance of microplastics (125–5000 µm) was 9.97 pieces/L (1.55 ng/L). Microplastics sized 125–300 µm were most abundant at all the sampling sites, accounting for 68% of the total microplastics. Fiber (35%) and fragment (34%) were the predominant microplastic shapes in the surface water. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(ethylene propylene) accounted for the most prevalent polymer types. The present findings revealed that the inner Gulf of Thailand is moderately polluted by microplastics of different sizes, shapes, and types, which may pose a potential risk to coastal ecosystems.
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Abundance And Characteristics of Microplastics Contaminating The Surface Water of The Inner Gulf of Thailand
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected surface water samples from 25 locations in the Inner Gulf of Thailand and found widespread microplastic contamination with varying concentrations and particle types. The study adds to regional evidence that the Gulf of Thailand is significantly impacted by microplastic pollution from both marine and land-based sources.
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Marine microplastic accumulation, estimated at over 250,000 tons in ocean environments, is driven by fragmentation of larger plastic debris and represents a persistent and growing contamination challenge. These particles are ingested by marine organisms across food web levels, raising concerns about biomagnification and human dietary exposure.
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Researchers measured seasonal and spatial patterns of microplastic pollution in the Hau River, a southern branch of the Mekong in Vietnam, finding microplastics distributed throughout the waterway. The results show that even rivers far from major industrial centers carry significant plastic contamination, threatening aquatic life and communities that depend on the river for food and water.
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