Impact of pollution on water quality of the coastal ecosystems in Samut Prakarn Province (Thailand) with a focus on inorganic pollution at the Bang Pu nature reserve | |
| Author | Aung Naing Myo |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-05-1 |
| Subject(s) | Water--Pollution--Thailand--Samut Prakan Coastal ecology--Thailand--Samut Prakan |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Bang Pu Nature Reserve in Samut Prakarn Province was selected the area of this study. It was established that the major problem of the reserve was contamination with heavy metals, which are released from the municipal (market and residential) and industrial point and non-point source. It was established through the analyses of numerous biogeochemical parameters (cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc, dissolved and suspended solids, as well as salinity and dissolved oxygen) comprising both organic and inorganic pollutants and their comparison with the 1994 National Environmental Board and other guidelines that the area should be classified as that under eutrophic conditions. Nevertheless it was observed that the coastal ecosystem was in a healthy state. Major sources of pollutants affecting the study area were identified and quantified. No significant changes in these parameters was observed diurnally due to the character of the hydraulic management of the Reserve affected through installed control water gates, which were closed down during low tides to prevent water from leaving the internal water bodies in the seaward direction. However, concentrations of different pollutional components, both organic and inorganic, were lower in the rainy season (September-October 2004) as compared to the dry season (November 2004-March 2005), apparently due to precipitation-induced dilution. It is deemed necessary to introduce a buffering zone in Pond 5 between the Reserve (ponds 1-4) and adjacent polluted area. It is obvious from the results quantifying organic and inorganic pollutants that this zone can be based on a constructed freshwater-fed reeds wetland which will prevent heavy metals finding their way into the reserve while it will still feed stimulating nutrients (C, N and P). Thereby the nature reserve will not only work for nature conservation but will be an effective pollution mitigating area serving the local community in bad need of such a facility. Eventually these measures will substantially enhance biodiversity value of the area through attraction of a wider variety of birds, which will in turn significantly increase educational value of the reserve. |
| Year | 2005 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shipin, Oleg V. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thammarat Koottatep;Aramaki, Toshiya |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship and Prospect Burma |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2005 |