Abundance of microplastic in seawater collected from tourism- and non-tourism sites at Mu Ko Similan National Park, Phangnga Province

Although tourism provides economic benefits to local and national economy, environmental impacts caused by this sector, especially plastic pollution, should be highly considered. Microplastics, derived from the degradation of... [ view full abstract ]

Although tourism provides economic benefits to local and national economy, environmental impacts caused by this sector, especially plastic pollution, should be highly considered. Microplastics, derived from the degradation of plastic waste, have been increasingly concerned as it might contaminate in marine and coastal ecosystems. The present study aims at investigating the distribution of microplastics in seawater collected from coral reefs at Mu Ko Similan, Phangnga Province, the Andaman Sea. Samplings were conducted at three study sites, i.e. Ao Numchai, Hin Muandiaw, and Ao Faiwab, using a plankton net with its mesh size of 120 µm. Tourism utilization is found at Ao Numchai whereas the tourism is prohibited at Hin Muandiaw and Ao Faiwab. Our preliminary results revealed that the densities of microplastics were in a rage of 0.82 – 3.62 items/m3.The highest density was found at Ao Numchai (241 items/m3) while the lowest one was found at Hin Muandiaw (45 items/m3). Most of the microplastics had a size range of 500 – 1,000 µm. The higher density of microplastics recorded at Ao Numchai may link to the tourism. This study provide a scientific baseline data on microplastic pollution and also highlights the needs for proper waste management from tourism to further mitigate tourism impacts on marine and coastal ecosystem.