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Microplastic pollution impact on the Gulf of Thailand: insights from water samples assessment and ingestion by zooplankton as complementary tools

Research Project

Project/Area Number 22K21328
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section 1101:Environmental analyses and evaluation, environmental conservation measure and related fields
Research InstitutionKyushu University

Principal Investigator

Alfonso Maria Belen  九州大学, 応用力学研究所, 准教授 (70961944)

Project Period (FY) 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2023)
Budget Amount *help
¥2,860,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥660,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Keywordsmicroplastics / plastic pollution / marine / zooplankton / microplastic / ingestion / Gulf of Thailand / Plastic / Marine / Microplastics / Zooplankton / Ingestion
Outline of Research at the Start

One way to reduce plastic pollution is by detecting main hotspots and reducing their primary sources. More studies are needed to improve our understanding of microplastics' presence and impact on marine systems. Information is required for developing accurate policies, particularly considering the new global agreement to abate plastic pollution.
Therefore, this study aims to understand microplastic abundance and characteristics in the Gulf of Thailand. Also, to determine the exposure of zooplankton organisms to microplastic ingestion and determine the exposition risk of their predators.

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Over a span of two years, this research delved into the presence and ingestion of microplastics (MPs) by zooplankton in the Gulf of Thailand, with a specific focus on Si Chang Island. Through six sampling campaigns conducted between August 2022 and April 2023, encompassing various seasons and tidal intervals, the study aimed to standardize microplastic analysis methodologies in collaboration with international initiatives. Analysis of samples in the second year unveiled that the calanoid Centropages furcatus ingested an average of 0.41 ± 0.13 particles per individual, predominantly polypropylene (PP), Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM), and Polyethylene (PE) fragments, with an retention rate of 470.2 particles per cubic meter and available for trophic transfer in marine food webs. Findings suggested inconclusive effects of rainfall on microplastic ingestion, with higher values near coastal areas.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

The research results deepen our understanding of microplastic pollution's impact on marine ecosystems. By examining microplastic ingestion by zooplankton and standardizing analysis methods internationally, the study provides valuable insights for assessing risks to marine life

Report

(3 results)
  • 2023 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2022 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (11 results)

All 2024 2023 2022 Other

All Int'l Joint Research (4 results) Journal Article (2 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 2 results,  Peer Reviewed: 2 results,  Open Access: 2 results) Presentation (5 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 4 results,  Invited: 5 results)

  • [Int'l Joint Research] Instituto Argentino de Oceanografia/Universidad Nacional del Sur(アルゼンチン)

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] Chulalongkorn University(タイ)

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] Chulalongkorn University(タイ)

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
  • [Int'l Joint Research] Instituto Argentino de Oceanografia(アルゼンチン)

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
  • [Journal Article] Influence of monsoon seasonality and tidal cycle on microplastics presence and distribution in the Upper Gulf of Thailand2024

    • Author(s)
      Nakano Haruka、Alfonso Mara Beln、Jandang Suppakarn、Phinchan Nopphawit、Chavanich Suchana、Viyakarn Voranop、Isobe Atsuhiko
    • Journal Title

      Science of The Total Environment

      Volume: 920 Pages: 170787-170787

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170787

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Zooplankton as a suitable tool for microplastic research2023

    • Author(s)
      Alfonso, M. B., Lindsay, D. J., Arias, A. H., Nakano, H., Jandang, S., & Isobe, A
    • Journal Title

      Science of the Total Environment

      Volume: 905 Pages: 167329-167329

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167329

    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Addressing plastic pollution: COPS’ international research activities2024

    • Author(s)
      Haruka Nakano, Maria Bleen Alfonso and Suppakarn Jandang
    • Organizer
      KYUDAI NOW Thailand
    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Highlights of Key Activities in the SATREPS Project during FY20232023

    • Author(s)
      Maria Belen Alfonso, Haruka Nakano, and Suppakarn Jandang
    • Organizer
      meeting with JICA representatives at Thailand
    • Related Report
      2023 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Practical overview of microplastics sampling and analytical methods2022

    • Author(s)
      Maria Belen Alfonso, Haruka Nakano
    • Organizer
      Onsite Regional Training Course on Marine Debris and Microplastics Sampling Collection and Analysis
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Ocean plastic pollution: What's next?2022

    • Author(s)
      Maria Belen Alfonso
    • Organizer
      Young researchers presentations in the meeting with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan.
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Invited
  • [Presentation] Efforts against Marine Plastics Pollution including Harmonization of Monitoring Methods (MOEJ)2022

    • Author(s)
      Maria Belen Alfonso
    • Organizer
      EuroQCharm meeting, Amsterdam
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited

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Published: 2022-09-01   Modified: 2025-01-30  

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