Identification of plastic contamination in aquatic environment : the Nueng canal in Thailand | |
| Author | Nuwanthi, Gardiyawasam Mana Waduge Kulanjana |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.MPA-22-07 |
| Subject(s) | Plastic containers--Environmental aspects Microplastics--Environmental aspects--Thailand Textile industry--Waste disposal--Environmental aspects--Thailand |
| 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 | Canal system is one of the places that can be easily affected by plastic wastes. Plastic pollutants are distributed in the ecosystems in various ways, of different sizes i.e., mega plastic, macro-plastic, meso-plastic, and micro-plastics. This research aimed at identifying the micro-plastic contamination on the aquatic systems near residential and commercialize areas in Talaad Thai. Moreover, to identify the possible sources of micro-plastics in the aquatic ecosystem near Talaad Thai area. This study identified micro-plastics in the Nueng canal. The Samples which were collected from three locations; Location 01 (L1) is located near the middle-income residents and it has proper waste management system which is provided by the municipality council. Location 02 (L2) is located near the low-income residents. The waste management system in this area is not properly maintained. Location 03 (L3) is located near Wat bang Phra temple. Restaurants and food stores are near L3 in Nueng canal. Fifteen water samples were collected using Albatross and fifteen sediment samples were collected using the bottom sediment sampler. Among three locations, L3 and L2 showed the highest number of micro-plastics particles in water and sediments respectively. Six colors of micro-plastics are identified from the water and sediment in the Nueng canal. They are red, pink, and green, blue, black and white. Among them, green, red and blue were common in the water samples followed by blue, yellow and black were common in the sediment samples. Also, the source identification survey recorded that 40 % of the households disposed of the waste in the canal, and more than 50% of the people release the laundry water and sanitary water to the canal. Polyethylene consumption was higher than other plastic items. Because people usually use single-use polyethylene bags for carrying foods. This also consistent with the CCTV record of the plastic waste floating in Nueng canal passing sampling location L3 where Polyethylene bags are abundant about 43 times in CCTV records. CCTV camera images showed the floating macro-plastics and most of the identified micro-plastics have the potential to be degraded from the macro-plastics in water and sediments by peeling, crushing, or degradation. It can be concluded that the micro-plastics of the canal have a relationship with the macro-plastic in the canal. |
| Year | 2022 |
| 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) | Ekbordin Winijkul |
| Examination Committee(s) | Visvanathan, Chettiyapan;Kavinda Gunasekara |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Research studies project report (M.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2022 |