Preliminary study on microplastic abundance in mangrove sediment cores at Mae Klong River, upper Gulf of Thailand

• DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2023.1134988
• Publication Date: 2023-03-23T07:30:36Z
• Authors: Pattraporn Chaisa...; Sumet Phantuwongraj; Akkaneewut Jirapi...; Thitiphan Assawin...
• Keywords: River mouth

Microplastics have polluted our environment, particularly mangrove ecosystems, the barriers between land and sea that trap sediments pollutants. The abundance of microplastics has increased in microplastic deposition is expected to rise future. In this study, sediment cores were collected from Mae Klong River mouth Queen Sirikit Park (shoreline), Samut Songkhram province. analyzed using a modified flotation method, then recasted removed organic matter. Fiber composed 92% 82% total found Park, respectively. There significant changes relation particle size ( p < 0.05). difference location sites was 0.01). accumulation influenced by grain location. polymer types those normally used textiles, indicating human activity. Moreover, micro-Fourier transform infrared (µ-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis identified compounds other small particles, including tire rubber, pigment, paint, dyes, flame retardant. These results imply microparticles basin, which an important fishery area upper Gulf Thailand.