Size Relationships of Plastic Debris on 3 Sandy Beaches in Rayong Province
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Sandy beaches are hotspots for accumulation of marine debris from direct human activities as well as those transported by the wind and currents. Plastic is the most common type of debris found on beaches, and this plastic debris can be divided into 4 different size classes: macroplastic (MAP, >25 mm), mesoplastic (MEP, 5-25 mm), large microplastic (LMP, 1-5 mm), and small microplastic (SMP, <1 mm). In this study, we analyzed the amount of plastic debris in the intertidal zone of 3 beaches in Rayong Province: Ao Makhampom, Suanson and Maptaphut. The results showed that different areas had significantly different amounts of plastic debris (p<0.05). The greatest amount of MAP, MEP and SMP was found on Ao Makhampom beach; most of which were fragments and fibers. LMP, however, were most commonly found on Maptaphut beach; most of them were polypropylene pellets. Interestingly, the vast majority of fiber type -LMPs were polyethylene and were likely from fishing nets and ropes. On the other hand, most of fiber type-SMPs were made of cotton blended with other synthetic polymers, rayon and nylon. These small fibers were perhaps from clothing and laundry activities. The relationships between MAP and SMP (r = 0.642) on all 3 beaches, and between MEP and LMP (r = 0.719) for Suanson beach were found. Such relationship between large plastic debris and microplastics could be used for rapid prediction of microplastic contamination on sandy beaches. In addition, a correlation was found between the microplastic content in sand sediments and in stomach of moon crab (Matuta victor) (r = 0.882), indicating the possibility of using moon crab as a bioindicator of contamination of microplastics on sandy beaches.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The content and information in the article published in Journal of Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya It is the opinion and responsibility of the author of the article. The editorial journals do not need to agree. Or share any responsibility.
References
Akkajit, P. and Ruamkaew, S. 2019. Microplastic on sandy beach of western coast of Phuket. Environmental Journal 23(2): 1-8. (in Thai)
Andrady, A.L. 2011. Microplastics in the marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin 62(8): 1596-1605.
Auta, H.S., Emenike, C.U. and Fauziah, S.H. 2017. Distribution and importance of microplastics in the marine environment: A review of the sources, fate, effects, and potential solutions. Environment International 102: 165-176.
Bantiwiwatkul, N., Pechsri, P., Polpayu, S., Rachaderm, C. and Ruekadee, P. 2018. Classification and quantification of marine debris on Sairee-Sawi Beach, Chumphon Province during 2015-2016, pp.863-870. In Proceeding of the 6th Marine Science Conference. Burapha University, Chonburi. (in Thai)
Barnes, D.K.A., Galgani, F., Thompson, R.C. and Barlaz, M. 2009. Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 364(1526): 1985-1998.
Besley, A., Vijver, M.G., Behrens, P. and Bosker, T. 2017. A standardized method for sampling and extraction methods for quantifying microplastics in beach sand. Marine Pollution Bulletin 114(1): 77-83.
Bozzeda, F., Zangaro, F., Colangelo, M.A. and Pinna, M. 2021. Relationships between size and abundance in beach plastics: A power-law approach. Marine Pollution Bulletin 173(Part A): 113005.
Browne, M.A., Crump, P., Niven, S.J., Teuten, E., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T. and Thompson, R. 2011. Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Worldwide: Sources and Sinks. Environmental Science & Technology 45(21): 9175-9179.
Browne, M.A., Niven, S.J., Galloway, T.S., Rowland, S.J. and Thompson, R.C. 2013. Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms, reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity. Current Biology 23(23): 2388-2392.
Campanale, C., Massarelli, C., Savino, I., Locaputo, V. and Uricchio, V.T. 2020. A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(4): 1212-1238.
Cole, M., Lindequea, P., Halsband, C. and Galloway, T.S. 2011. Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: A review. Marine Pollution Bulletin 62(12): 2588-2597.
Costa, L.L., Arueira, V.F., Costa, M.F., Di Beneditto, A.P.M. and Zalmona, I.R. 2019. Can the Atlantic ghost crab be a potential biomonitor of microplastic pollution of sandy beaches sediment? Marine Pollution Bulletin 145: 5-13.
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. 2022. Top ten beach trash of the year 2021. Available source: https://www.dmcr.go.th/
detailAll/57352/nws/191, March, 7, 2022. (in Thai)
Derraik, J.G.B. 2002. The pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: a review. Marine Pollution Bulletin 44(9): 842-852.
Egessa, R., Nankabirwa, A., Basooma, R. and Nabwire, R. 2020. Occurrence, distribution and size relationships of plastic debris along shores and sediment of northern Lake Victoria. Environment Pollution 257: 113442.
GESAMP. 2015. Sources, fate and effects of microplastics in the marine environment: a global assessment. Reprint Study GESAMP No. 90, International Maritime Organization (IMO), United Kingdom.
Heo, N.W., Hong, S.H., Han, G.M, Song, Y.K., Jang, M. and Shim, W.J. 2013. Distribution of small plastic debris in cross-section and high strandline on Heungnam beach, South Korea. Ocean Science Journal 48: 225-233.
Horn, D., Granek, E.F. and Steele, C.L. 2019. Effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastic fibers on Pacific mole crab (Emerita analoga) mortality and reproduction. Limnology and Oceanography Letters 5(1): 74-83.
Houbnarin, K., Pitaksintorn, S., Khunchairak, V. and PhongPhan, P. 2018. Type and amount of marine debris at Mu Ko Chang National Park and Khao Leam Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park in 2018, pp. 305-312. In Proceeding of the 6th Marine Science Conference. Burapha University, Chonburi. (in Thai)
Jambeck, J.R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T.R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., Narayan, R. and Law, K.L. 2015. Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science 347(6223): 768-771.
Karlsson, T.M., Arneborg, L., Broström, G., Almroth, B.C., Gipperth, L. and Hassellöv, M. 2018. The unaccountability case of plastic pellet pollution. Marine Pollution Bulletin 129(1): 52-60.
Kerpen, N.B., Schlurmann, T., Schendel, A., Gundlach, J., Marquard, D. and Hüpgen, M. 2020. Wave-induced distribution of microplastic in the surf zone. Frontiers in Marine Science 7(2020): 590565.
Koelmans, A.A., Bakir, A., Burton, G.A. and Janssen, C.R. 2016. Microplastic as a Vector for Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment: Critical Review and Model-Supported Reinterpretation of Empirical Studies. Environment Science Technology 50(7): 3315-3326.
Kühn, S., Werven., B., Oyen, A., Meijboom, A., Bravo Rebolledo, E.L. and van Franeker, J.A. 2017. The use of potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution as a suitable approach to isolate plastics ingested by marine organisms. Marine Pollution Bulletin 115(1-2): 86-90.
Lee, J., Lee, J.S., Jang, Y.C., Hong, S.Y., Shim, W.J., Song, Y.K., Hong, S.H., Jang, M., Han, G.M., Kang, D. and Hong, S. 2015. Distribution and Size Relationships of Plastic Marine Debris on Beaches in South Korea. Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology 69(3): 288-298.
Li, W.C., Tse, H.F. and Fok, L. 2016. Plastic waste in the marine environment: A review of sources, occurrence and effects. Science of the Total Environment 566-567: 333-349.
Maneechot, B., Buajan, K., Chaichana, S. and Borrirukwisitsak, S. 2018. Quantification survey of microplastics in beach sand of Laem Samila, Bo Yang Subdistirict, Mueang District, Songkhla Province, pp. 796-802. In Proceeding of the 6th Marine Science Conference. Burapha University, Chonburi. (in Thai)
Pransilpa, M., Arsiranant, I., Chankong, A. and Junchompoo, C. 2016. Quantification and Classification of Marine litter on Laem Maepim Beaches, Rayong Province during 2014-2015, pp. 588-596. In Proceeding of the 5th Marine Science Conference. Kasetsart University, Bangkok. (in Thai)
Sangrajrang, S., Ploysawang, P. and Promhithatron, P. 2013. Impact of Plastics on Human Health and Environment. Thai Journal Toxicology 28(1): 39-50.
UNEP. 2016. Marine Plastic Debris and Microplastics Global Lessons and Research to Inspire Action and Guide Policy Change. United Nations Environment Program, Nairobi.
Wangritthikrakun, K., Thepwilai, S., Chawchai, S. and Bissen, R. 2021. Microplastic in sediment on sandy beach of Thailand. Environmental Journal 25(4): 1-9. (in Thai)
Wisespongpand, P., Chataweesuk, A. and Jaingam, W. 2020. Microplastic contamination in marine animals used as seafood, pp. 397-407. In Proceeding of 58th Kasetsart University Annual Conference. Kasetsart University, Bangkok. (in Thai)