Impact of pollution on coastal water quality of Thailand

Assessment of the anthropogenic pollution in Coastal Samut Prakarn Province with a focus on the Bang Pu Nature Reserve was undertaken from May 2004 to March 2005 with a view to enhance its educational and conservational potential through future interventions in the Reserve. The baseline conditions were established after analysing the water samples of the study area. It was shown that the study area can be classified under eutrophic conditions. Nevertheless the coastal ecosystem appears to be in a healthy state. Major sources of pollutants affecting the study area were identified and quantified. Similar trends were also observed retrospectively while utilizing remote sensing and geographic information technology. Mapping of coastal mangroves showed a sign of a significant impact with a decrease in heavy mangrove cover. The initial data may serve as a foundation for future informed guidelines for the rehabilitation the ecosystems of the Bang Pu Nature Reserve and enhancing local biodiversity through careful management of salinity levels, fresh water and organics input from the adjacent areas.