Microplastics Baseline Study in Gulf of Thailand: First Time in Thailand

The Microplastics Baseline Study was initiated with a collaboration between PTTEP and Kasetsart University. The objective of this project is to measure microplastics level in the GoT through the use of PTTEP strength in location advantage cover PTTEP offshore facilities, Koh Losin, Koh Tao, and a coastal area in Chumphon. The baseline data was developed to support the government agencies scheme in fighting with Microplastics and identification of opportunities for further improvement. The microplastic sampling was conducted 3 times at each location and twice between 2020 – 2021 through the use of Manta net (the global standard tool) by the well trained PTTEP operators onsite. All collected Microplastic samples were sent to analyze microplastic components through the use of the cutting-edge technology such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The result of Microplastics Baseline Study in the GoT is used as part of the Microplastics baseline data of Thailand. The study found that the average numbers of microplastics particles in water from our 3 offshore assets are between 0.33- 1.26 pieces of mini-microplastics/m3 of water or 82,137-314,009 pieces/km2, close to the level found in the Eastern North Pacific, compared to other studies from oversea, this is more than the study from the northwest Atlantic (12,000-20,000 particles/km2) but more akin to the study of the northeast pacific (90,000-278,000 particles/km2) and less than that of Pacific garbage patch (1,345,000 particles/km2). The study also showed that the portion of offshore microplastics from fibers usually found in fishery tools like nets and fishing lines is high when compared to nearshore microplastics. (48% Fishing Net/ Line). PTTEP aims to foster collaboration among academics and private sectors in safeguarding the oceans with the ultimate goal of achieving concrete marine resource conservations. The study marked Thailand's first attempt in conducting a baseline study of microplastics in the GoT and the world's first attempt to use a petroleum platform as a station to collect microplastic data.