Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University
Abstract
The marine environment in Thailand has been degraded by various pollutants arising both from land-based sources and from heavy shipping traffic, together with the accompanying accidental oil spills. Domestic wastes in the coastal waters of major cities are much evident. High levels of heavy metals in marine organisms are occasionally reported. The observed elevated mercury levels in some areas provide a warning of potential risk in the Gulf. Pesticide residues were detected in sediment and mussel samples. Low-level hydrocarbon pollution to some degree occurs most of the time in the Upper Gulf and the Eastern Sea Board. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified in the water, sediment and biota samples. Tributyltin (TBT) was also detected in water, sediment and biota samples. Gastropods collecting near major shipping lanes all had imposex characteristics. Although marine pollution levels have been reported to be acceptable in Thai waters, management measures to minimize pollutant loading are needed to reduce long-term risk to the marine environment
