| Author | Nitcharat Siengpairou |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-21-24 |
| Subject(s) | Microplastics--Thailand--Lower Chao Phraya River
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Thailand is one of the countries for plastic production and consumption. The prevalence of small particles of plastic waste has become a major source of concern in recent years. Lager plastic debris can progressively degrade into small particles with varying sizes because of the changing environmental conditions. As a result, microplastics are widely distributed in freshwater ecosystems. The particles move across the environment, and their toxicity is a concern in the ecosystem and human health can be affected by differences in size and shape. Few studies have been performed in freshwater, especially the main river in Thailand. The Chao Phraya River is among Thailand's where are most significant and densely populated communities. The microplastics distribution composition in the surface water of the lower Chao Phraya River was investigated. Microplastic samples were collected by using the albatross device from Pathum Thai to Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River from November 2020 to June 2021. The plastic debris analysis considered microplastic with ranges in size from 0.3 mm to 5 mm. The result of the average microplastic concentration was 8.31 particle/m3 . The most common microplastics were those with a size of 1-2.5 mm in surface water of the lower Chao Phraya River. The major microplastics shape were fiber and fragment. The most common of the microplastics color were transparent and white. The polymer types in the surface water of the lower Chao Phraya River were most found PE, PP, PET, and PS. Microplastics were increased in spatial distribution from upstream (Pathum Thani) to downstream (Bangkok). As a result, microplastic contamination is highly linked to urbanization and population density. In addition, the concentration of microplastics during wet season have higher than dry season. Therefore, temporal change of microplastic abundance in the lower Chao Phraya River significant with seasonal changing. Microplastics have a relationship with temperature, DO, turbidity, and Chlorophyll, according to a Pearson correlation. However, more research should be performed to identify point sources in order to reduce microplastic contamination in aquatic systems. |
| 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) | Xue, Wenchao |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sasaki, Nophea;Shipin, Oleg V. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |