The
large volume of polluted flood water being released into the Gulf of Thailand
could greatly affect marine life, Thai academics warned Monday.
At a marine scientists' seminar at
Chulalongkorn University (CU), Asst Prof Pramot Sojisuporn from CU's Physical
Oceanography Department, said some 10 billion cubic metres of polluted water
would pour into the Gulf over a short period. This would cause the salinity to
be dramatically lowered from the Gulf's normal level of 32 parts-per-thousand
(ppt) to just 2 ppt.
The seawater at a 5km radius from the coast
and 15km-deep would be like freshwater, affecting the mangrove bio-system and
creatures exposed to such conditions for one to two months could be killed, he
said.
"Normally, if freshwater pours into the
sea and remains for only a week, it won't extensively affect the area and
creatures. But this flood water would affect coastal incubation grounds for
shells, as well as the chub, [and] mackerel in Phetchaburi and Samut Sakhon,"
he said.
This could affect the Gulf even more severely
than the tsunami and the great flood in 1983.
Marine and Coastal Resources Department
executive Micmin Jarujinda said his office was setting up 50 spots for water
quality testing around the Gulf, which would monitor the salinity and dissolved
oxygen levels over the next 10 days.
With the water expected to flow towards the
Gulf's western coast the areas of most worry were Samut Songkhram's Don Hoi
Lot, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon, he said. Bruda whales and
Irrawaddy dolphins could be indirectly affected as their food, such as sea
catfish and squid, would be reduced.
Thammsak Yeemin from Ramkhamhaeng, said an
inspection at Chon Buri's Koh Khangkao and Koh Sichang showed the salinity
level of the "upper sea" was down to 4ptt while the lower sea was at
23ptt. It also found 64-per cent coral bleaching.
The seminar, which will also propose measures
to tackle the problem - was told that 40 crabs were seen dying on a 1km stretch
of the Samut Songkhram coast, while the seawater had turned black-ish and
smelly.
Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Department
(PCD)'s Waste and Hazardous Substance Management Bureau director Rangsan
Pinthong said the quality of water in Bangkok and Pathum Thani was substandard.
Test results on flood water--especially at
people's homes--in Don Muang, Sai Mai and Lat Phrao districts showed a
deteriorated water quality and the lower-than-standard level of dissolved
oxygen. However, water on roads was a better quality because it flowed.
Water in Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Chai Nat and
Lop Buri, though, was normal.
He also said there was no report of water
contaminated with chemicals and a check of five industrial estates in Ayutthaya
and Pathum Thani's Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate found officials had good
control of the flood situation.
Rangsan said the PCD would continue to assess
the situation in Lat Krabang and Bang Chan industrial estates regularly. The
department would also give advice for rehabilitation after the flood on water
quality to related agencies.
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department
chief Wibul Sanguanpong urged people in flood-hit homes not to use chemicals
during the flood and to securely cover containers with chemicals and put them
away in case they leak into the water and cause harm or an allergic reaction by
some people.
Wibul urged people to split electronic garbage
such as batteries from dry trash and keep it away from water. He said people
who spot chemical containers, wastewater pools or hazardous garbage underwater
should alert officials so they can be disposed of properly.
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation (Thailand)
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