Jakkapan Potipat
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
Rawinipa Srimoon
Program of Animal Production Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industrial Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok, Chanthaburi 22210, Thailand
Tarntip Rattana
Environmental Science and Technology Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
Phummipat Oonban
Geoinformatics Program, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
Sediment quality in global estuaries was reported by assessing the degree of anthropogenic input and the corresponding ecological risks. This research intended to categorize the quantities of marine pollution at the mouth of the Chanthaburi River, on the Eastern Gulf of Thailand, by examining the interactions amongst the heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) and microplastics (MPs) in surface marine sediments. Marine pollution severity was classified using the Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Sediment Enrichment Factor (SEF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). Spatial distribution of pollutants and geostatistical covariance were examined via Geographic Information System (GIS) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The average concentrations determined in sediment samples were as follows: Pb, 0.369 ± 0.022 ppm; Cd, 0.0042 ± 0.0004 ppm; Cu, 5.424 ± 0.007 ppm; Zn, 33.756 ± 0.182 ppm; and microplastics, 1.36 ± 0.06 particles/g. All metal levels were below the WASV, CCV, and TRV reference thresholds. Igeo and SEF indicated that Zn was moderately accumulated with minor enrichment, while other metals were unpolluted. PCA explained 90.85% of the variance, mainly reflecting Zn accumulation in downstream sites. We also found an inconspicuous correlation between heavy metals and MPs, which may be caused by distinct sources, physicochemical properties, and potential biological synergistic effects that remain unclear. A key originality of this study lies in the integration of GIS-based spatial interpolation with the PLI data to visualize and distinguish site-specific accumulation zones. The study did not assess biological uptake or biomarkers, limiting insight into actual bioavailability and toxicity to marine species. These findings provide spatially explicit evidence for targeted estuarine management and highlight the need for future studies on bioavailability and ecological risks.
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Copyright © 2025 Jakkapan Potipat, Rawinipa Srimoon, Tarntip Rattana, Phummipat Oonban
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