Investigation of microplastics present in urban storm runoff | |
| Author | Otiti, Jerome |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-21-49 |
| Subject(s) | Microplastics--Environmental aspects--Thailand Wastewater--Treatment |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Marine Plastics Abatement |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Microplastics are present in all environments. Among other pathways and sources for microplastics transmission, urban stormwater has been identified as one of the important pathways. In this study, microplastics present in urban stormwater from industrial and commercial sites in Pathumthani Province, Thailand was investigated. A total of 18 samples, 9 from each site was collected using a metal bucket of 3 litres from 8 September to 31 October during a rain event. Samples were analyzed in the environmental engineering management main laboratory of AIT. The result of the study revealed an average concentration of microplastics to be 15.94/L in the industrial site and an average concentration of 7.06/L in the commercial site. Generally, from both sites, Fragments has the highest count of microplastics with 162 (47%), followed by fibers with 86 (25%) while foams have the least count of 21 (6%). Also, the result of the study shows that in an industrial site, fragments has the highest concentration of 39.68/L, followed by fibers (18.01/L), lines (11.02/L), films (8.32/L) and foams have the least concentration of 2.67/L while in commercial site, fragment also has the highest concentration of 14.33/L followed by fibers (10.66/L and lines has the least concentration of 2.67/L. FTIR analyses revealed that Polypropylene (PP) is the most occurring polymer in both sites as a result of the high demand for Polypropylene (PP) plastics products and high production rates. It is therefore recommended for proper management of urban storm runoff from microplastics contamination through sustainable urban planning and runoff management. Further research is required to reveal the impacts of microplastics in stormwater and other provinces of Thailand. |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| 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 | Marine Plastic Abatement (MPA) |
| Chairperson(s) | Xue, Wenchao |
| Examination Committee(s) | Chongrak Polprasert;Ekbordin Winijkul |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |