| Author | Ya Min Thu |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-26-26 |
| Subject(s) | Microplastics--Environmental aspects--Bangkok--Thailand
Water--Pollution--Bangkok--Thailand
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Microplastics (MP) pollution is an emerging concern in rapidly urbanizing regions, particularly in Southeast Asian megacities where wastewater discharge, industrial activities, and atmospheric deposition contribute to aquatic contamination. This study quantified and characterized MPs from domestic wastewater, industrial wastewater, and wet atmospheric deposition, and estimated their influx into aquatic systems in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR), Thailand, during wet-weather conditions. Field sampling was conducted at domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants and atmospheric deposition sites. MPs were analyzed using visual identification, Nile Red staining, and FTIR confirmation. A Source–Pathway–Receptor (SPR) framework with mass-balance analysis was applied to estimate annual MP flux. MPs were detected in all sources. Domestic wastewater showed influent and effluent concentrations of 9.75 ± 2.28 and 2.19 ± 1.56 particles/L, with 77.5% removal efficiency. Industrial wastewater had higher influent levels 23.89 ± 12.90 particles/L, effluent levels 2.69 ± 0.54 particles/L and 86% removal efficiency. Wet atmospheric deposition showed the highest input, averaging 9,209 ± 590 particles/m²/day. Small particles (10–500 µm) dominated across all sources. Fibers were prevalent in wastewater, while fragments dominated atmospheric deposition. White and transparent MPs were most common, and FTIR results identified LDPE as the dominant polymer. The total MP influx during wet weather was estimated at 1073.924 trillion particles/year. Wet atmospheric deposition contributed 98.71 %, followed by domestic wastewater (1.27%) and industrial wastewater (0.02%). These findings highlight the role of rainfall in enhancing MP transport and emphasize the need for improved wastewater and stormwater management to reduce pollution in the BMR. |
| Year | 2026 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (2026) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EEM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Xue, Wenchao |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shrestha, Sangam;Ekbordin Winijkul |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Loom Nam Khong Pijai (Greater Mekong Subregion) Scholarships |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2026 |
