We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Abundance, composition, and fate of microplastics in water, sediment, and shellfish in the Tapi-Phumduang River system and Bandon Bay, Thailand
Summary
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and shellfish across the Tapi-Phumduang River system and Bandon Bay in Thailand, finding MPs throughout the system with highest concentrations in shellfish harvested from aquaculture areas and estimating human intake through local seafood consumption.
Microplastic contamination in the environment is a global problem, as evidenced by the increasing amount of research worldwide. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the microplastic distribution in Bandon Bay, one of the most important maricultural areas of Thailand. Water and sediment samples from the Tapi-Phumduang River system (n = 10) and Bandon Bay (n = 5) were collected. Water sampling at the river mouth was carried out during a complete tidal cycle to estimate the microplastic flux to the bay during the wet season. Moreover, two commercial bivalve species grown in the bay, the green mussel (Perna viridis) and lyrate Asiatic hard clam (Meretrix lyrata), were analyzed. More items of microplastics were found in the river system than in the bay. During the tide cycle, one-third of the microplastics entering the bay were washed back upstream during high tide. This backflow consisted mainly of larger microplastics. The average daily load of microplastics to the bay was 22.4 × 10 items day. The load during low tide was approximately 4-5 times higher than that during high tide. The overall accumulation of microplastics in the bottom sediments of the river and in the bay was similar (p < 0.05). Green mussels showed significantly higher contamination with microplastics than clams. Notably, the small-sized shellfish contained more particles (items/g) than the large ones (p < 0.05). Fibers were detected in virtually all samples: water (98%), sediment (94%), mussels (100%), and clams (95%). Among these, microfibers (<1 mm) were detected in water (71%), sediment (63%), green mussels (63%), and clams (52%). Blue and white particles were the two most frequently observed colors, while the most dominant polymers were rayon, followed by polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and nylon. To this end, we posit that river discharge was a significant source of microplastics in Bandon Bay, with minor additional contributions from fishing and mariculture activities within the bay. Ultimately, these microplastics may end up in the sediments and living organisms.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in the surface seawater of Bandon Bay, Gulf of Thailand
Researchers surveyed microplastics in surface seawater of Bandon Bay, Thailand, finding the highest concentrations near fishery and aquaculture areas, with fragments as the dominant form and polyethylene and polypropylene as the most common polymer types.
Contamination and characterization of microplastics in different sediments of the river estuaries (the inner Gulf of Thailand)
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in river estuary sediments in the inner Gulf of Thailand, finding widespread contamination at all sites. The study characterizes the types and abundance of microplastics in a highly trafficked coastal region of Southeast Asia.
Microplastic accumulation in local dominant shellfish from the Khwae Noi Basin in Western Thailand and its environmental factors
Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation in assassin snails and clams sampled from 39 sites across the Khwae Noi Basin in Thailand, finding filamentous MPs in approximately 26% of snails and 38% of clams, with downstream sites showing higher contamination levels.
Microplastic contamination in the Chanthaburi estuarine ecosystem, Eastern part of Thailand
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in the Chanthaburi estuarine ecosystem in eastern Thailand, measuring particle concentrations and types in water, sediment, and selected biota. Microplastics were detected throughout the estuary, with fibres predominating and concentrations highest near shrimp farms and urban areas, pointing to aquaculture and land-based waste as primary local sources.
Microplastic Contamination in Blood Cockles and Mussels in Bandon Bay, Suratthani Province, Thailand
Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in blood cockles and mussels from Bandon Bay, Thailand, finding widespread plastic particles in these commercially important bivalves and raising concerns about microplastic transfer through the seafood supply chain.