Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Gastropods and Lotus Basin Water at Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Thailand

Thiti  Kanchanaketu; Nadtawipa  Nongrak; Taeng On Prommi

Authors

Thiti Kanchanaketu Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, 73140 Thailand
Nadtawipa Nongrak Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, 73140 Thailand
Taeng On Prommi Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom, 73140 Thailand

Keywords:

Microplastic, Gastropods, Freshwater, Bioindicator

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed in nature due to the proliferation of plastic waste. However, their presence in lotus basins remains largely unknown compared to other aquatic bodies. This study investigates MP contamination in water and gastropods from 33 lotus basins at Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Thailand. Water and snail tissue samples were digested using 30% hydrogen peroxide. A total of 5,047 and 1,650 MP items were identified in water and snail tissue, respectively. The majority of MPs were smaller than 100 μm. The most common shapes and colors were fragments and violet. A two-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference (p<0.01) in MP levels between basins and snail species. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified 38 polymer types, with cellulose acetate and styrene acrylonitrile being the most prevalent. No correlation (p>0.05) was found between snail tissue weight and MP abundance. These findings suggest that MPs in lotus basins may serve as a bioindicator of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems, particularly surface water.

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