Microplastics accumulation by spionid polychaetes in Thai waters

Authors

  • Laongdow Jungrak Marine Biodiversity Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science Ramkhamhaeng University Huamark, Bangkok10240
  • Siriluck Rongprakhon
  • Makamas Sutthacheep
  • Wiphawan Aunkhongthong
  • Sittiporn Pengsakun
  • Manoch Wongsuryrat
  • Montaphat Thummasan
  • Thamasak Sutthacheep

Keywords:

annelid, microplastics, pollution, polychaete, Gulf of Thailand, Andaman Sea

Abstract

Marine debris and microplastics are among interesting research topics in the ASEAN community. Contamination of microplastics through the food web in various coastal and marine ecosystems is recognized as a significant problem nowadays. This study aimed to examine the abundance of microplastics in the spionid polychaetes sampled from Hat Pak Meng, Trang Province, in the Andaman Sea, and Pak Nam Lang Suan, Chumphon Province, in the Gulf of Thailand. The microplastics were extracted using hydrogen peroxide digestion method and counted using a stereoscopic microscope. The microplastics accumulation in polychaetes at Pak Nam Lang Suan (2.86±1.04 items/individual) was higher than that at Hat Pak Meng (1.91±0.41 items/individual)(p<0.05). The majority of particles varied between 501-1,000 μm in size, whereas the plastic fragments in a range of 1,501-2,000 μm had the lowest abundance. Pak Nam Lang Suan is an estuary influenced by a large river, resulting in a high quantity of microplastics compared to Hat Pak Meng. This study provides baseline data of microplastics contamination in wild annelids living in coastal habitats in Thailand.

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Published

2021-12-31

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 3 (2018): September- December

Section

Original Articles

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