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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.
While a large number of studies on microplastics (MPs) in the western hemisphere have been performed, few studies are available in the eastern hemisphere, especially in Southeast Asia. In this study, the abundance of MPs in water and sediment samples from the Chao Phraya River at the Tha Pra Chan area, Thailand, was investigated. Water samples were collected by a manta trawl, and sediment samples were collected by a Van Veen grab sampler. The average number and concentration of MPs in water samples were 80 ± 65 items/m³ and 53.3 ± 58.4 mg/m³, respectively. The average number and concentration of MPs in sediment samples were 91 ± 13 items/kg and 4.9 ± 3.4 mg/kg, respectively. The main morphologies of MPs were fragments and fibers, mostly white. Polypropylene (PP) was the dominant polymer type found in both water and sediment. Moreover, the content of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb) on MPs was extracted by aqua regia solution and analyzed by ICP-OES. Results show high concentrations of Pb and Cu adsorbed on MPs in the study area. In brief, this study suggests that there are high levels of MPs in the water and sediments of the Chao Phraya River at the Tha Pra Chan area.
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Microplastics pollution with heavy metals in the aquaculture zone of the Chao Phraya River Estuary, Thailand
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Researchers examined microplastic pollution and associated heavy metals in the aquaculture zone of the Chao Phraya River Estuary in Thailand. They found microplastics in both sediment and surface water, with fibers being the dominant shape and polyethylene the most common polymer type. The study raises concerns about the potential for microplastics to carry heavy metal contaminants into aquaculture areas, which could affect seafood safety in the region.
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 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.
Distribution and flux assessment of microplastic debris in the middle and lower Chao Phraya River, Thailand
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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.
Interactions Between Heavy Metals and Microplastics in Surface Marine Sediments, Chanthaburi River Mouth, Eastern Gulf of Thailand
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Researchers assessed heavy metal and microplastic contamination in surface marine sediments from the mouth of Thailand's Chanthaburi River, finding interactions between metal pollutants and plastic particles that affect contaminant bioavailability and ecological risk in estuarine environments.
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