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BOD load analysis and management improvement for the Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand

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Abstract

The loads of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in the Chao Phraya River Basin (CPRB), Thailand were analyzed in terms of how they were generated (BODgen), stocked in the environment (BODen-stock), and discharged into the Chao Phraya River (BODCPR) using material flow analysis. BODgen from the industrial sector was the highest; however, BODen-stock and BODCPR from this point source were not significantly higher than those from the domestic sector. BODgen, BODen-stock, and BODCPR from swine farming and aquaculture across the river basin were lower than those from the domestic and industrial sectors. Of the total 251,884 tons per year (t/year) BODCPR, 49,614 t/year were in the upper river section, 35,976 t/year in the middle river section, and 166,294 t/year in the lower river section. These amounts were more than the carrying capacities of the relevant river sections (i.e., 7230 t/year, 18,380 t/year, and 37,851 t/year of the BOD loads for the upper, middle, and lower river sections, respectively). The first priority in BOD reduction in the CPRB should emphasize domestic wastewater by increasing wastewater treatment efficiency and onsite installations of wastewater treatment systems, while the second should be on paddy fields and other nonpoint sources. Specific best management practices may be considered, e.g., creating constructed wetlands or preserving riverbank vegetation as natural swales to alleviate BOD discharge from agricultural activities into water sources.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Ms. Dolina Millar for proofreading the manuscript and the Land Development Department, Pollution Control Department and Royal Irrigation Department for providing the relevant data.

Informed consent

N/A. This study was not involved with human participants and/or animals.

Funding

This work was supported by Mahidol University (contract numbers: Ngor-Po.33/2017).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, 999 Moo 5, Sai 4 Phuttamonthon Rd., Salaya, Phuttamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

    Nuanchan Singkran

  2. Pollution Control Department, 92 Soil Phaholyothin 7, Phaholyothin Rd., Samsennai, Phayathai, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Pitchaya Anantawong

  3. Department of Water Resources, 180/3 Soil 34 Rama 6 Rd., Samsennai, Phayathai, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand

    Naree Intharawichian

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  1. Nuanchan Singkran
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  2. Pitchaya Anantawong
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Correspondence to Nuanchan Singkran.

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Singkran, N., Anantawong, P. & Intharawichian, N. BOD load analysis and management improvement for the Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand. Environ Monit Assess 192, 413 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08350-x

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