| Author | Sharma, Ekisha |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-21-04 |
| Subject(s) | Microplastics--Environmental aspects
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Microplastics, an emerging pollutant with size less than 5mm, is defined as two types, namely primary and secondary based on its origin. This study aims to identify the degree of leakage of both these microplastics from different sub-districts of Ubon Ratchathani, a major region from where microplastics have been leaking into the oceans. It also investigates the types and amount of microplastics found in the region and compares with other microplastics found in other recognized pathways, namely laundry water and wastewater. The identification of the density of microplastics leakage from the various districts in Ubon Ratchathani province for this study has been done using fuzzy overlay analysis in Geographic Information System. Among the identified districts, microplastics extraction has been done from the leachates and rivers in district with highest microplastic leakage density, namely, Warin Chamrap. The overlay analysis proved that road networks and minor water bodies next to the pollution source are the major contributors and pathways of microplastics leakage in the identified hotspot, respectively. The results showed the average concentration of number of microplastics to be 38 per m3 in leachates and 24 per m3 post in river post the rainy season. The number of microplastics found in the dry season in the same sources was significantly lower, i.e., 10 per m3 for leachates and 2 per m3 for river due to the lack of runoff for the flow of microplastics. The study also illustrates that the strong correlation of suspended solids and microplastics may only be true for fragments but not for microfibers due to its insignificant weight. In addition, it can be seen from this study that similar sampling and extraction method for microplastics may not be applicable for microplastics found in separate pollution sources. Thus, there is a vital need of establishing a standard sampling methodologies and corresponding laboratory extraction method for microplastics found in different sources. |
| Year | 2021 |
| 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) | Thammarat Koottatep |
| Examination Committee(s) | Visvanathan, Chettiyappan;Ekbordin Winijkul;Tran Thanh Dan |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Thai Pipe Scholarship;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |