Microplastic contamination in the Chanthaburi estuarine ecosystem, Eastern part of Thailand

Abstract

Aim: The prevalence of plastic particles has become a global crisis for the environment pollution and human life. This study aimed to investigate the contamination of microplastics (MPs) in marine environments and to determine the relationships between MPs pollution and types of land use. Methodology: Two invertebrate species (Anadara granosa and Litopenaeus vannamei) and sediment samples were collected for the analysis of MPs accumulation in the Chanthaburi estuarine ecosystem. The microplastics contamination and pollution were determined with visual identification and environmental index, respectively. The abundance and the land use type of MPs in Chanthaburi Province were compared by a Geographic Information System (GIS). Results: The MPs contamination in the white shrimps were higher than the cockles. The black filamentous type of MPs was a major characteristic which ranged between 0.43–0.85 mm, 0.45–0.65 mm and 1.25 – 3.05 mm in A. granosa, L. vannamei and sediment, respectively. The MPs pollution index (PLI and BCF) showed low levels in the hazardous category. The Chanthaburi land use analysis showed variation in the land use change and a strong correlation between green areas and the MPs contamination. Interpretation: The statistical analysis suggested differences between MPs abundance in our samples.The utilization of agriculture and forest land use types could relieve the impact of MPs accumulation.This study also demonstrated the need for managing MPs pollution in Thai marine ecosystems. Key words: Anadara granosa, Chanthaburi, Estuarine ecosystem, Litopenaeus vannamei, Microplastics