Occurrence of Microplastics in River Water in Southern Thailand

Pradit, Siriporn; Noppradit, Prakrit; Sengloyluan, Karnda; Suwanno, Phudith; Tanrattanakul, Varaporn; Sornplang, Kittiwara; Nuthammachot, Narissara; Jitkaew, Preyanuch; Nitiratsuwan, Thongchai

doi:10.3390/jmse11010090

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Never the less our study, the concentration of MPs in water was greater than those detected in the South of Brazil ( e Silva & de Sousa, 2021 ), but lower than those observed in Northern Tunisia ( Wakkaf et al, 2020 ), Southwest Nigeria ( Olarinmoye et al, 2020 ), and an estuary in Malaysia ( Zaki et al, 2021 ). Apart from that, the number of MPs was similar to a previous study by Pradit et al (2023) where MPs were investigated in the U-Taphao River which flows into Songkhla Lagoon. A comparison of our results with other aquatic ecosystems is summarized in Table 1 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…The concentration of MP in surface water found in this study was similar to MP in Malaysian wetlands ( Ibrahim et al, 2021 ), an estuary in China ( Xu et al, 2018 ) and a river in southern Thailand ( Pradit et al, 2023 ). Interestingly, several types of polymer type found in China, especially PVC which has a density higher than seawater water, resulting from strong upward and downward movement of water ( Xu et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…A possible explanation is that the lagoon is quite shallow, and the hydrological characteristics and human activity ( e.g ., fishing, transportation) can cause turbulence in the water, causing PET to diffuse and float to the surface layer and take some time to settle in the lagoon bottom. The density of PP (0.93 g/cm 3 ) was lower than that of water, causing it to float in the surface water of the river and lagoon ( Pradit et al, 2023 ; Olarinmoye et al, 2020 ; Wakkaf et al, 2020 ). Surprisingly, this study did not find polyamide (PA) or polyethylene (PE) in the surface water similar to the report in Malaysia estuary ( Zaki et al, 2021 ) and polystyrene (PS) as reported in Lagoons of Northern Tunisia ( Wakkaf et al, 2020 ) and in Southwest Nigeria ( Olarinmoye et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Occurrence and abundance of microplastics in surface water of Songkhla Lagoon

Pradit,

Noppradit,

Sornplang

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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Background Microplastic (MP) pollution is now a global critical issue and has been the subject of considerable worry for multiple various types of habitats, notably in lagoons which are coastal areas connected to the ocean. MPs are of concern, particularly because floating MP in surface water can be ingested by a number of marine organisms. There are several lagoons along Southeast Asia’s coastline, but Songkhla Lagoon is Thailand’s only exit with a rich biodiversity. To date, there has been little research undertaken on MP in this lagoon, so there is a pressing need to learn more about the presence of MP in the lagoon’s water. Methods We investigate MPs in the surface water of Songkhla Lagoon, Thailand. Sampling took place at ten stations in the lagoon during the wet season in December 2022 and the dry season in February 2023. Samples were digested with hydrogen peroxide to remove organic matter followed by density separation using saturated sodium chloride. MPs were visually examined under a stereo microscope to describe and determine the shape, size, and color. Polymer type was identified using a micro Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Moreover, the in-situ of water quality of the surface water was measured using a multi-parameter probe. A Mann-Whitney U test was performed to investigate the variations in MP levels and water quality parameters between the wet and dry seasons. Correlation analysis (Spearman rho) was used to determine the significance of correlations between MP and water quality (p < 0.05). Results MPs were detected at all ten of the sites sampled. The most abundant MPs were small size class (<500 µm, primarily consisting of fibers). Five types of polymers were seen in surface water, including polyethylene terephthalate, rayon, polypropylene, polyester, and poly (ethylene:propylene). Rayon and polyester were the dominant polymers. Additionally, the most dominant color of MPs in the wet and dry season was black and blue, respectively. The mean contents of MPs in the wet and dry season were 0.43 ± 0.18 and 0.34 ± 0.08 items/L, respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test suggested a significant difference between water quality in the wet and dry seasons (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis (Spearman rho) indicated a negative significant difference relationship between the MPs and the values of total dissolved solid (TDS) in the wet season (r = −0.821, p = <0.05), revealing that the large amounts of MPs may possibly be dispersed within surface water bodies with low TDS concentrations. Based on the overall findings, MP pollution in the surface water of the lagoon is not found to be influenced by the seasonal context. Rivers flowing into the lagoon, especially the U-Taphao River, may be a principal pathway contributing to increased MP pollution loading in the lagoon. The results can be used as baseline data to undertake further research work relevant to sources, fates, distribution, and impacts of MPs in other coastal lagoons.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Occurrence and abundance of microplastics in surface water of Songkhla Lagoon

Pradit,

Noppradit,

Sornplang

et al. 2024

PeerJ

Self Cite

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“…Additionally, plastics may break down into microplastics and accumulate in the food chain 1 . A study found microplastics accumulating in aquatic animals that are part of the human diet 2 . The Pollution Control Department has initiated policies to address the plastic waste issue under the Plastic Waste Management Roadmap 2018-2030 3 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodegradation of bioplastic straws compared to conventional plastic straws

Limpiteeprakan,

Ratchawong,

Kittichaimongkol

et al. 2024

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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This experimental study aimed to investigate the biodegradation of commercially available bioplastic straws compared to conventional plastic straws using four types of plastic straws: polypropylene (PP), bio-polybutylene succinate (PSB) mixed with polylactic acid (PLA), PLA alone, and bagasse straws. The tubes were cut into small sizes, buried in soil, watered to simulate natural degradation conditions, and placed in the same environment at the College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University. The tubes were excavated, weighed, and analyzed using a microscope and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the 1 cm small tubes experienced greater weight loss than the 2 cm tubes. Straws made from PSB mixed with PLA showed the highest weight loss of 46%. Bioplastic straws made from PLA alone showed the least weight loss. SEM images showed noticeable surface changes in straws made from natural materials and bioplastics compared to PP straws, especially in the 2 cm tubes. The findings suggest that using biodegradable straws, especially those made from natural materials, can effectively mitigate plastic pollution and preserve the environment.

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“…Drabinski et al explored the abundance and spatial dispersion of MPs in three distinct freshwater rivers situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [20]. Similarly, Pradit et al examined the quantification of MP particles in the U-Taphao River located in southern Thailand, investigating temporal variations across different time intervals [21]. Furthermore, Lin et al explored the abundance and distribution patterns of MPs in the Pearl River, China [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial–Temporal Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Shiwuli River

Hong

Meng

Bao

et al. 2023

Water

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This study aimed to investigate the distribution of microplastics (MPs) within the Shiwuli River in Hefei, a Chinese inland city. Water and sediment samples were collected during flood season (from May to September) and non-flood season (from October to April) at 10 representative points along the truck stream. The electron microscope, the laser direct infrared chemical imaging system (LDIR), and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to observe and quantify the colour and shape of the MPs, to identify the number, size, and polymer composition of the MPs, and to observe the microstructures of typical MP particles, respectively. The polymer risk index (RI) model and the pollution load index (PLI) model were used to assess the polymer-related risks and the overall extent of MP pollution in the river, respectively. Analysis of MP abundance for different sampling points showed that the water of Shiwuli River had an average abundance of MPs of 8.4 ± 2.5 particles/L during the flood season and 5.8 ± 1.7 particles/L during the non-flood season; the sediment had an average abundance of MPs of 78.9 ± 8.3 particles/kg during the flood season and 63.9 ± 7.1 particles/kg during the non-flood season. The abundance of MPs of different points was investigated. Result show that the more abundances of MPs were found at confluences with tributaries (S4, S5, and S6), where they are also close to the residential and industrial development, while lower values were found in agricultural areas (S8) and wetland ecological regions (S9 and S10). In water, the maximum appeared at S5 with 21.7 ± 4.6 particles/L during the flood season and 15.9 ± 4.2 particles/L during the non-flood season, respectively; the minimum appeared at S9 with 1.8 ± 1.0 particles/L during the flood season and 2.2 ± 0.4 particles/L during the non-flood season, respectively. In sediment, the maximum appeared at S5 with 174.1 ± 10.1 particles/kg during the flood season and 143.6 ± 10.4 particles/kg during the non-flood season, respectively; the minimum appeared at S8 with 10.3 ± 2.8 particles/kg during the flood season and at S9 with 12.1 ± 3.2 particles/kg during the non-flood season, respectively. MP characteristics were also studied. Results show that the MPs mainly exhibited a fibroid morphology (27.90–34%), and red-coloured particles (19.10%) within the smaller size less than 500 μm (38.60%) were more prevalent. Additionally, the result of LDIR scanning shows that a total of eleven types of MP polymers were found in the river water and sediment, including acrylates (ACR), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), and silicon. The most common particle was PE (19.3–21.6%). Furthermore, the environmental risk assessment demonstrated that the PS polymer posed a Level-III risk in the water samples and a Level-II risk in the sediment samples from the Shiwuli River. The remaining polymer types exhibited Level-I risk. The PLIzone value for water was 2.24 during the flood season, indicating heavy pollution, and 1.66 during the non-flood season, indicating moderate pollution. Similarly, the PLIzone value for sediments was 2.34 during the flood season and 1.91 during the non-flood season, both suggesting a heavy pollution. These findings highlight the potential risk posed by MP pollution in the Shiwuli River to the quality of drinking water sources in Chaohu Lake in Hefei. They provide valuable insights into management, pollution control, and integrated management strategies pertaining to MPs in urban inland rivers in Hefei.

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Occurrence of Microplastics in River Water in Southern Thailand

Cited by 9 publications

References 46 publications

Occurrence and abundance of microplastics in surface water of Songkhla Lagoon

Occurrence and abundance of microplastics in surface water of Songkhla Lagoon

Biodegradation of bioplastic straws compared to conventional plastic straws

Spatial–Temporal Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Shiwuli River

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