Comparison of airborne microplastic concentrations among different sampling and analysis methods in Pathum Thani, Thailand | |
| Author | Phway Phway Zaw Minn |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-25-13 |
| Subject(s) | Microplastics--Analysis--Thailand--Pathum Thani Microplastics--Environmental aspects--Thailand--Pathum Thani |
| 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 | Airborne microplastics (AMPs) have emerged as a growing environmental and public health concern due to their widespread presence and potential toxicity. This study investigated the concentration, size distribution, morphology, and dry deposition rates of airborne microplastics at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Pathum Thani, Thailand, during the dry season.Two sampling approaches were employed: active sampling using high-volume air samplers equipped with square and circular quartz filters, and passive sampling using an automatic precipitation collector. Three analytical methods were evaluated and compared: (1) Wet Peroxide Oxidation (WPO) combined with density separation, (2) WPO with density separation followed by Nile Red staining, and (3) Nile Red staining alone.Among the methods tested, Nile Red staining alone yielded the highest AMP concentrations. At the EEM research station (Location 1), mean concentrations were 4.230 ± 1.615 particles/m³ using square filters and 0.792 ± 0.214 particles/m³ with circular filters. At the bicycle parking area in front of AIT (Location 2), concentrations increased to 6.649 ± 2.873 particles/m³ (square filter) and 1.106 ± 0.375 particles/m³ (circular filter). Square filters consistently captured more microplastics than circular filters, likely due to their greater surface area and sampling efficiency.Dry deposition measurements revealed average rates of 127.820 particles/m² at Location 1 and 229.323 particles/m² at Location 2, with substantial daily variability observed. Across all sampling and analytical methods, fragments were the predominant shape of microplastics, accounting for over 99% of particles in samples analyzed with Nile Red staining. The majority of detected microplastics were smaller than 100 µm, underscoring the dominance of fine particles in the ambient air.These findings emphasize the influence of analytical methodologies on AMP quantification and highlight the need for standardized approaches in future research. The study provides foundational data on airborne microplastic pollution in Thailand and reinforces the necessity of ongoing monitoring to better evaluate the potential environmental and health implications associated with AMP exposure. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering (DWREE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Ekbordin Winijkul |
| Examination Committee(s) | Cruz, Simon Guerrero; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Scholarship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2025 |