MICROPLASTIC DISTRIBUTION IN RIVER SEDIMENT: A CASE STUDY AT U-TAPHAO, SOUTHERN THAILAND

Microplastic is everywhere in the aquatic ecosystem including river sediment.In this study, seven sediment sampling stations were selected along the basin, from upstream to downstream (7 stations) of the U-Taphao river for 4 months (February, April, June, and August) in 2022.The total number of microplastic particles found was 1,470 pieces, consisting of 814 fibers (55.37%) and 656 fragment particles (44.63%) from the four sampling months.Station 5 showed the highest concentration of microplastics, followed by station 1.Seven polymers were found throughout the study: PE, PP, PET, rayon, copolymer, PA, and PVA.Polymer analysis from microplastic samples by FTIR polymer analysis showed significant differences in the frequency of polymer types found in each month (p < 0.001).