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A study of microplastic contamination in water and white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in shrimp ponds in Songkhla Province, Thailand.
Organization(s):Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Trang
Country:Thailand
Student(s):Pacharapun Odthon, Kantapong Wongpanich, and Patcharanuch Kaiman
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Patchara Pongmanawut
Contributors:Dr.Anantanit Chumsri from Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya Trang Campus.
Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center, Lower Gulf of Thailand.
National Metal and Materials Technology Center.
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Salinity
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/11/2022
The objective of this research was to study water quality, the number, type, shape, and color of microplastics contaminated in water and shrimp in shrimp ponds in Songkhla Province, Thailand. Water samples were collected from 3 sources in shrimp farms which are water preparation ponds, shrimp ponds. and water treatment ponds. And we also collected shrimp samples from shrimp ponds. The results showed that the water treatment ponds had the highest number of microplastics (28±1.41 pcs/1000 ml), followed by the water preparation ponds (26±2.82 pcs/1000 ml) and the shrimp ponds (13±3.53 pcs. /1000 ml) respectively. The average amount of microplastics found in shrimp was 435 pieces per kilogram. Most of the microplastics were found in water and shrimp are 300µm-1mm in size, fragment shape, and white color. The most common type of microplastic is polystyrene, followed by polypropylene and polyethylene, respectively. We can conclude that in shrimp farming there are microplastics contamination in both water and shrimp. The microplastics found may come from seawater used in shrimp farming or maybe from materials used in shrimp ponds. This study will help farmers to plan for microplastic-free shrimp farming.