SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 2006
STP37668S

Environmental Monitoring of the Sediment Pollution along the Thai:Laos Mekong

Source

The Mekong is an essential source of water and protein for the denizens of Thai Laos countries. However historic pollution is adversely affecting the water and sediment quality that threatens the short- and long-term supply/use of this major river system. This can have a major impact on the health and population of the marine life and ultimately adversely affect human health and the economy for both countries. As a first stage in the assessment of the scale and extent of the pollution problem, an in-depth program of sampling and analysis has been carried out for both water and sediments for three seasons since 2000. A range of water quality parameters were measured from ten sampling stations. These included the PolyAromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) initially measured as chrysene equivalents, then as individual compounds of fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, and indeno(1,2,3,cd)pyrene. A range of heavy metals were measured including chromium, cadmium, mercury, copper, zinc, lead, and titanium. This paper presents the results of the field study to date and provides a preliminary evaluation of the extent of the pollution and potential for bioaccumulation within the local food chain.

Author Information

Keenan, HE
Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
Dyer, M
Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
Songsasen, A
Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkedphol, S
Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Homchan, U
Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 3–10
DOI: 10.1520/STP37668S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5512-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-3408-9