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Suspended microplastics during a tidal cycle in sea-surface waters around Chao Phraya River mouth, Thailand
Summary
Researchers sampled microplastics from surface waters around the Chao Phraya River mouth in Thailand during low and high tides. Microplastic concentrations were significantly lower during spring tide than neap tide, suggesting that tidal dynamics play an important role in how plastic particles are distributed and diluted in coastal waters.
The study investigated the influence of tides (low and high) on composition and abundance of microplastic. Suspended microplastics (MP) were sampled in surface waters around the Chaophraya River mouth in Upper Gulf of Thailand using Neuston trawl (330-m mesh) during tidal cycle at both tides in rainy season (August) of 2019. The abundance and types of microplastic had been analyzed. Overall, the concentration of MP during spring tide was significantly lower than the concentration during neap tide (p < 0.01). Suspended microplastic particle concentration ranged from 16.74 to 59.06 pieces per 100 m 3 (spring tide) and 43.26 to 126.13 pieces per 100 m 3 (neap tide). Concentration of MP found during flood tide was higher which suggested marine derived MP. Dominant samples identified under stereomicroscope were fibers and film. Using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, the majority of the particles was identified as polypropylene. The effect of the tidal amplitude was an important factor determining the extent of the variations in microplastic abundance, which was stronger between the lower low tide and the higher high tide.