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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.
Microplastics (MPs) are distributed globally, including in aquatic environments. While a large number of studies on MPs in marine environments have been performed, few studies are available in freshwater environments. Therefore, the distribution of MPs in surface water and sediment from the Chao Phraya River at Tha Prachan, a high population density area of Bangkok, was investigated. Water samples were collected by a manta trawl with a net mesh size of 300 mm. Sediment samples were collected by a Van Veen grab sampler. The total number and concentration of MPs in the water samples were found to be 104 particles/m3 and 805.20 mg/m3, respectively. The dominant MPs were fragments, 0.5 to 1.0 mm in size, for the water samples. In the sediment, MPs were detected only in a size range of 0.053 to 0.5 mm with a total number and concentration of 2,290 particles/kg and 650 mg/kg, respectively. The presence of different types of MPs was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with a dominant abundance of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene. In brief, this study suggests that high levels of MPs occur not only in the water but also in the sediment of the Chao Phraya River at Tha Prachan area.
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations throughout Thailand's largest river, the Chao Phraya, finding plastic particles at every sampling station across all seasons, with sediment concentrations up to 546 particles per kilogram dry weight. Fiber was the most common form, and contamination peaked during monsoon season when rainfall flushes more plastic into the river. The study estimates the river's flux of microplastics toward the Gulf of Thailand, providing a baseline for understanding how major Asian rivers transport land-based plastic pollution to the ocean.
Quantification for the Flow of Microplastic Particles in Urban Environment: A Case of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok Thailand : A Minor Field Study
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This minor field study quantifies the flow of microplastic particles in the urban environment of Bangkok, focusing on the Chao Phraya River as a pathway for plastic transport to the ocean.
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.
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.
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.
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