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Water Quality, Marine Debris and Microplastic Detection in Krabi Province, Southern Thailand

Organization(s):Thailand Citizen Science
Country:Thailand
Student(s):Amornkarn Srimugda, Pawichaya Prakobkij, Kanyarak Junsri, Peelada Chabumnet, Kamolnant Muangpradit, Pichamon Tinsiripattanakij, Nutthawat Zhang, Suvijak Khacheesawatdikarn, Theerawee Rujivipat, Nattakorn Jundee, Phattarasak Lerttripinyo, Koen Plodpradista, Chanawit Krobbang, Yossavit Samneangngam, Jaruphat Kaewyoo, Chaiwut Thongkoen, Praphatsorn Sooksabai, Natnicha Inthong, Naliya Phuensaen, Thunyaporn Buasri
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
Educator(s):
Contributors:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krisanadej Jaorensutasinee, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mullica Jaroensutasinee, Miss Khatthariya Saeli, Mrs. Kornkamon Kumnerdkarn, Ms. Nattaya Chuichai and Miss Thunwarut Sutthipun
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Clouds
Presentation Video: View Video
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/03/2024
Microplastic
We investigated types, amounts, and sources of marine debris and microplastics and compared how tourism, utilizing different levels of beach cleanup, affected them. We collected marine debris and microplastics at four beaches based on frequencies of beach cleanup: high (Nopharat Thara Beach, Poda Island) and no beach cleaning (Thara Park, Chao Fah Park). The Clean Coast Index (CCI) counted marine debris from a ground survey to assess beach cleanliness. Over 95% of the marine debris was plastic, and microplastics were ubiquitous, which calls for classifying plastics as hazardous materials. Chao Fah Park had the highest (CCI = 89.87), next was Thara Park (CCI = 65.6) and Poda Island (CCI = 7.47), and the lowest CCI was Nopharat Thara Beach (CCI = 6.4). Since Nopharat Thara Beach is a famous tourist beach, it has the highest frequency of beach cleaning. This rapid survey could be developed and applied for a citizen-science project on surveying marine debris and microplastics and monitoring our beaches' condition.


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