STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [5]

StateWater of Quality THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [6] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT Inland Water Quality

The water quality status in Thailand during 2003 compared to those in the years 2001 and 2002 are quite similar as shown in Figure 1. In 2003, the water quality status in the levels of good, fair, deteriorated, and highly deteriorated conditions were 32%, 31%, 31%, and 6%, respectively. When compared to the water quality in 2001 and 2002, the water sources with good water quality in 2003 has slightly decreased while the water sources with fair water quality increased. It was also found in 2003 that the water sources with deteriorated water quality changed insignificantly. Although the change in water quality depends on many factors such as water quantity, water sources with highly deteriorated water quality have remained the same sources each year. Deteriorated water quality is a consequence of wastewater discharge from various sources such as domestic, agricultural, and industrial areas. The generated wastewater has not been appropriately treated before it is discharged into the receiving water body. The main water pollution in the receiving water body are from the contamination of fecal coliform bacteria, high biological oxygen demand levels (BOD) causing low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, and high ammonia levels.

% 100 90 2001 2002 2003 80 70 60 50 40 40 40 32 31 33 32 31 30 25 20 18 10 9 3 6 0 Water qualityqy good fair deteriorated Highly deteriorated

Figure 1. Water quality status of the surface water resources throughout Thailand in 2001, 2002, and 2003

The water quality of 49 main rivers and 4 standing surface water resources (the Kwan Payao Lake, Bung Boraped Lake, Nonghan Lake, and Songkhla Lake) was investigated in 2003. The highly deteriorated water quality condition was found in the lower from province to the estuary in Samutprakarn province, the lower Thachin River from Nakornchaisri district, Nakornpathom province to the estuary in Muang district, Samutsakorn province, the lower Lamtakong River in Muang district, Nakornratchasrima, and the Songkhla Lake in Muang district, (Table1 and Figure.2). THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [7]

Kok Ing Ping Nan

Songkram Ping Wang Loei Oon Nonghan Lake Pong

Nan Pasak Ping Chee Chee Seaw Moon Moon Lamtakong Lamchee Moon Kwae Noi Kwae Yai Noi Thachin Lapburi Prachinburi

Maeklong Chao Phraya Bangpakong Prasae Rayong Petchburi Pranburi Kuiburi

Chumporn N

Langsuan

Pumduang Tapee 100 0 100 200

Pakpanang Kilometers Trang Songkhla Lake Symbol

Pattani Not Samples Saiburi Good Fair Deteriorated Highly Deteriorated

Figure 2. Surface water quality of Thailand 2003. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [8] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

The lower Chao Phraya River, the lower Thachin River, and the lower Lamtakong River have confronted the highly deteriorated water quality problem for many years due to high levels of total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria. In 2002, Songkhla Lake had deteriorated water quality where the total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria counts were 10,000 and 4,000 units, respectively. Then in 2003 Songkhla Lake had a highly deteriorated water quality where the total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria counts were 36,900 and 26,800 units, respectively. The highly deteriorated water quality occurred only at the end of the Samrong Canal in Muang district, Songkhla province, as a result of the domestic wastewater discharge without proper treatment. There are many factors which effect water quality other than proper treatment, such as precipitation and seawater level. Therefore, the water quality of the Songkhla Lake in 2002, when there was greater precipitation, was better than that of 2003 due to lower BOD levels in the water flowing into the Songkhla Lake.

Table 1. Summary of water quality status of the main surface water resources in Thailand in 2003. Water Northern Central Eastern Northeastern Southern Percentage of quality Region Region Region Region Region all surface waters Kwae Yai, Upper Pattani Ing Kwae Noi, Chee, Pong, Oon, Saiburi, Upper Good Maejang Sakaekrang, Weru, Trad Seaw, Lamchee, Tapee, Thale 32 Upper Petchburi Nonghan Lake Luang, Thale Noi Kok, Li, Ping, Upper Dhao Bangpakong, Moon, Pakpanang, Prachinburi, Fair Kwan Payao Lake, Phraya, Upper Loei, Pumduang, 31 Bung Boraped Lake Thachin, Kuiburi Nakornnayok, Lampaw Lower Tapee Pagrad, Chantaburi Middle Chao Phraya, Middle Thachin, Lower Pattani, Wang, Yom. Lopburi, Noi, Pasak, Rayong, 31 Deteriorated Upper Lamtakong Trang, Chumporn, Nan, Kuang Maeklong, Lower Prasae Langsuan Petchburi, Pranburi Highly - Lower Chao Phraya, - Lower Songkhla 6 deteriorated Lower Thachin Lamtakong Lake THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [9]

Northern Region The water quality of 11 main rivers, which are the Ping River, Wang River, Yom River, Nan River, Kuang River, Kok River, Li River, Ing River, and Maejang River, and 2 standing surface water resources, which are the Kwan Payao Lake and Bung Boraped Lake were investigated. The Ing River and Maejang River had good water quality. While the Li River, Ping River, Kok River, and the Kwan Payao Lake and Bung Boraped Lake had fair water quality conditions. The Wang River, Yom River, Nan River, and Kuang River had deteriorated water quality. From the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, the Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels and fecal coliform bacteria count of over 80% of the water quality monitoring stations, the water sources could be categorized as class 2 according to the surface water quality standard. The surface water quality standard for class 2 water sources states that the DO concentration equals or is greater than 6.0 mg/L, the BOD concentration equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L and the fecal coliform bacteria count equals or is less than 1,000 units. The exception are at Khundej Bridge in Muang district, Payao province that had an average DO value of 1.0 mg/L and municipal areas where high concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria were found (Table 2 and Figure 3). The main problem was the contamination of fecal coliform bacteria especially in communities locating around the Ping River, Wang River, Yom River, Nan River, and Kuang River in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phrae, Pitsanulok, and Lampoon, respectively.

% DO (mg/L) BOD (mg/L) TCB (unit) FCB (unit) NH3 (mg/L) 100 99 83 83 80 67 60 58

40 27 20 14 11 17 16 15 2 5 1 1 0 1 (> 6.0) (> 4.0) (> 2.0) (< 2.0) (< 1.5) (< 2.0) (<(<4.0) 4.0) (> 4.0) (< 5,000) 5 000) (< 20,000) 20 000) (> 20 ,000) (< 1,000) 1 000) (< 4,000) 4 000) (> 4, 000) (< 0.5) (> 0.5) 2 3 below 2 3 4 below 2 3 below 2 3 below meet below class standard class standard class standard class standard standard

Figure 3. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in northern region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality stand ard. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [10] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

Table 2. Water quality of the surface water resources in nortthern region in 2003

Important water quality parameters

Station DO BOD TCB FCB NH3 Water Quality problems (mg/L) (mg/L) (unit*) (unit*) (mg/L) Ping 7.4 0.9 11,300 3,200 0.12 fair - Wang 8.2 1.0 37,500 8,400 0.11 deteriorated TCB, FCB Yom 7.1 0.7 76,000 3,900 0.08 deteriorated TCB Nan 7.2 0.8 28,500 8,600 0.06 deteriorated TCB, FCB Kuang 6.3 1.4 38,900 18,700 0.15 deteriorated TCB, FCB Kok 7.3 0.8 4,400 1,300 0.06 fair - Li 7.5 0.9 6,100 1,400 0.08 fair - Ing 7.5 0.9 6,100 1,400 0.08 good - Maejang 7.0 1.0 900 460 0.06 good - Kwan Payao Lake 6.3 2.0 2,500 180 0.04 fair - Bung Boraped Lake 7.1 1.7 35 5 0.10 fair - Average 7.2 1.1 19,300 4,300 0.08 - - Class 2 >6.0 <1.5 < 5,000 <1,000 <0.5 good - Class 3 >4.0 <2.0 < 20,000 <4,000 <0.5 fair - Class 4 >2.0 <4.0 - - <0.5 deteriorated -

Remark : * unit = MPN per 100 ml DO = dissolved oxygen BOD = biological oxygen demand FCB = fecal coliform bacteria

TCB = total coliform bacteria NH3 = ammonia THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [11]

Central Region The water quality of 12 main rivers, which are the Chao Phraya River, Thachin River, Maeklong River, Kwae Yai River, Kwae Noi River, Pasak River, Lopburi River, Noi River, Sakaekrang River, Petchburi River, Pranburi River, and Kuiburi River, was investigated. The Kwai Noi River, Kwai Yai River, upper Petchburi River and Sakaekrang River had good water quality conditions. While the upper Chao Phraya River, Kuiburi River, and upper Thachin River had fair water quality conditions. The lower Petchburi River, Noi River, Pranburi River, Pasak River, Lopburi River, Maeklong River, middle Chao Phraya River, and middle Thachin River had deteriorated water quality conditions. The lower Thachin and Chao Phraya River had highly deteriorated water quality conditions. From the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels and fecal coliform bacteria count of over 80% of the water quality monitoring stations, the water sources could be categorized as class 2 according to the surface water quality standard. The surface water quality standard for class 2 water sources states that the DO concentration equals or is greater than 6.0 mg/L, the BOD concentration equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L and the fecal coliform bacteria count equals or is less than 1,000 units. High contamination of FCB was found in dense domestic areas of each river (Table 3 and Figure 4). The main problems were the low DO concentration and contamination of fecal coliform bacteria especially in the lower Chao Phraya River starting from Muang district, flowing through and ending at the estuary in Muang district, Samutprakarn province (the average DO concentration was 1.2 mg/L and the average FCB count was 51,800 units) and the lower Thachin River from Nakornchaisri district, Nakornpathom province to Muang district, Samutsakorn province (the average DO concentration was 0.9 mg/l and the average FCB count is 27,700 units). The same problem could also be found in the Maeklong River at Ban Pong district, (the average FCB count was 47,000 units), the Pasak River at Muang district, (the average FCB count was 200,000 units), and the Petchburi River at Muang district, Petchburi province (the average FCB count was 22,500 units).

% DO (mg/L) BOD (mg/L) TCB (unit) FCB (unit) NH3 (mg/L) 100 81 83 80

60 44 40 38 33 35 31 30 32 25 20 19 17 12 8 6 6 0 (> 6.0) (> 4.0) (> 2.0) (< 2.0) (< 1.5) (< 2.0) (<(<4.0) 4.0) (> 4.0) (< 5,000) 5 000) (< 20,000) 20 000) (> 20 ,000) (< 1,000) 1 000) (< 4,000) 4 000) (> 4, 000) (< 0.5) (> 0.5) 2 3 below 2 3 4 below 2 3 below 2 3 below meet below class standard class standard class standard class standard standard

Figure 4. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in central region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality standa rd. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [12] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

Table 3. Water quality of the surface water resources in central region in 2003.

Imporatant water quality parameters

Station DO BOD TCB FCB NH3 Water quality Problems (mg/L) (mg/L) (unit*) (unit*) (mg/L) Upper Chao Phraya 6.7 0.7 4,800 1,700 0.10 fair - Mid Chao Phraya 4.4 0.7 11,200 4,600 0.12 deteriorated FCB

Lower Choa Phraya 1.2 1.8 264,200 51,800 0.59 highly deteriorated DO, TCB, FCB, NH3 Upper Thachin 4.7 1.0 7,800 1,300 0.24 fair -

Mid Thachin 1.3 2.3 20,600 2,700 0.57 deteriorated DO, TCB, NH3

Lower Thachin 0.9 3.5 95,500 27,700 1.25 highly deteriorated DO, TCB, FCB, NH3 Maeklong 5.8 1.1 85,700 14,700 0.10 deteriorated TCB, FCB Kwae Yai 4.8 0.6 1,150 200 0.13 good - Kwae Noi 6.2 0.6 14,600 600 0.06 good - Pasak 5.8 0.8 123,000 21,900 0.11 deteriorated TCB, FCB Lopburi 4.8 1.3 29,500 4,300 0.16 deteriorated TCB, FCB Noi 5.5 0.5 14,300 4,600 0.08 deteriorated FCB Sakaekrang 5.7 1.0 2,500 820 0.13 good - Upper Petchburi 3.7 0.6 300 2 0.36 good - Lower Petchburi 4.9 2.2 115,000 25,800 0.17 deteriorated TCB, FCB Pranburi 4.8 0.6 41,200 2,600 0.17 deteriorated TCB Kuiburi 5.7 1.3 9,000 350 0.03 fair - Average 4.5 1.2 49,400 9,700 0.26 - TCB, FCB Class 2 >6.0 <1.5 <5,000 <1,000 <0.5 good - Class 3 >4.0 <2.0 <20,000 <4,000 <0.5 fair - Class 4 >2.0 <4.0 - - <0.5 deteriorated -

Remark : * unit = MPN per 100 ml DO = dissolved oxygen BOD = biological oxygen demand FCB = fecal coliform bacteria

TCB = total coliform bacteria NH3 = ammonia THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [13]

Northeastern Region The water quality of 11 main streams, which are the Pong River, Chee River, Moon River, Lampaw River, Seaw River, Songkram River, Loei River, Oon River, Lamchee River, and Lamtakong River, and Nonghan lake, a surface water resource, was investigated. Fair water quality could be found in the Moon River, Lampaw River, and Loei River. Deteriorated and highly deteriorated conditions could be detected in the upper Lamtakong and lower Lamtakong River, respectively. Most northeastern surface water sources had good water quality. From the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels and fecal coliform bacteria count of over 80% of the water quality monitoring stations, the water sources could be categorized as class 2 according to the surface water quality standard. The surface water quality standard for class 2 water sources states that the DO concentration equals or is greater than 6.0 mg/L, the BOD concentration equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L and the fecal coliform bacteria count equals or is less than 1,000 units. The exceptions were at the lower Lamtakong River at Muang district, Nakornratchasrima province which had average BOD of 6.9 mg/L (Table 4 and Figure 5). Although serious water pollution was not found, contamination of fecal coliform bacteria could be detected in domestic areas. The deteriorated water quality areas where high contamination of bacteria was found were the Moon River in Muang district, Ubonratchathani province (the average FCB count was 4,600 units), the Leoi River in Wangsapoong district, Leoi province (the average FCB count was 12,600 units), and the lower Lamtakong River in Muang and Pakchong districts, Nakornratchasrima province (the average FCB count were 44,500 and 7,300 units, respectively).

% DO (mg/L) BOD (mg/L) TCB (unit) FCB (unit) NH3 (mg/L) 100 97 85 80 77 79 69 60

40 26 20 13 14 8 8 7 7 4 2 3 0 1 (> 6.0) (> 4.0) (> 2.0) (< 2.0) (< 1.5) (< 2.0) (<(<4.0) 4.0) (> 4.0) (< 5,000) 5 000) (< 20,000) 20 000) (> 20 ,000) (< 1,000) 1 000) (< 4,000) 4 000) (> 4, 000) (< 0.5) (> 0.5) 2 3 below 2 3 4 below 2 3 below 2 3 below meet below class standard class standard class standard class standard standard

Figure 5. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in northeastern region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality standard. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [14] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

Table 4. Water quality of the surface water resources in northeastern region in 2003.

Imporatant water quality parameters

Station DO BOD TCB FCB NH3 Water quality Problems (mg/L) (mg/L) (unit*) (unit*) (mg/L) Pong 5.9 0.9 3,500 620 0.10 good - Chee 6.5 1.1 1,500 250 0.12 good - Moon 6.4 1.2 6,500 680 0.13 fair - Lampaw 7.1 0.9 6,500 3,500 0.12 fair - Seaw 5.3 1.0 3,370 501 0.12 good - Songkram 6.9 1.5 540 300 0.09 good - Loei 7.6 1.0 8,300 3,600 0.07 fair - Oon 6.4 1.2 550 180 0.12 good - Lamchee 6.3 1.3 2,000 360 0.20 good - Upper Lamtakong 7.3 2.2 14,300 4,600 0.06 deteriorated FCB

Lower Lamtakong 3.5 5.9 86,800 44,500 1.54 highly deteriorated BOD, TCB, FCB, NH3 Nonghan Lake 7.9 0.7 260 110 0.05 good - Average 6.5 1.0 3,800 600 0.10 - - Class 2 > 6.0 < 1.5 < 5,000 < 1,000 < 0.5 good - Class 3 > 4.0 < 2.0 < 20,000 < 4,000 < 0.5 fair - Class 4 > 2.0 < 4.0 - - < 0.5 deteriorated -

Remark : * unit = MPN per 100 ml DO = dissolved oxygen BOD = biological oxygen demand FCB = fecal coliform bacteria

TCB = total coliform bacteria NH3 = ammonia THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [15]

Eastern Region The water quality of the nine main rivers, which are the Bangpakong River, Prachinburi River, Nakornnayok River, Rayong River, Prasae River, Pangrad River, Chantaburi River, Weru River, and Trad River, was investigated. Trad and Weru Rivers had good water quality while Prachinburi River, Bangpakong River, Chantaburi River, Pangrad River, and Nakornnayok River had fair water quality. Rayong and Prasae Rivers had deteriorated water quality. The DO concentration could be categorized as a surface water resource type 3 (DO concentration equals or is greater than 4.0 mg/L). The BOD concentration of over 80% of all water quality monitoring stations could be categorized as a surface water resource type 2 (BOD concentration equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L). The contamination of fecal coliform bacteria could be categorized as a surface water resource type 2 (fecal coliform bacteria concentration equals or is less than 1,000 units) (Table 5 and Figure 6). The main water quality issue of eastern surface water is seawater intrusion during the dry season. The contamination of fecal coliform bacteria was also found especially in wastewater discharge from communities located on both sides of the rivers which are the Bangpakong River in Bangkla district, Chacherngsao province (average FCB of 8,100 units), the Rayong River in Muang district, (average FCB of 24,900 units), the Prasae River in Klang district, Rayong province (average FCB of 4,400 units), and the Chantaburi River in Muang district, Chantaburi province (average FCB of 6,600 units).

% DO (mg/L) BOD (mg/L) TCB (unit) FCB (unit) NH3 (mg/L) 100 97 90 80 63 60 59

40 33 24 24 23 20 19 18 12 8 4 2 1 3 0 (> 6.0) (> 4.0) (> 2.0) (< 2.0) (< 1.5) (< 2.0) (<(<4.0) 4.0) (> 4.0) (< 5,000) 5 000) (< 20,000) 20 000) (> 20,000) 20 000) (< 1,000) 1 000) (< 4,000) 4 000) (> 4,000) 4 000) (< 0.5) (< 0.5) 2 3 below 2 3 4 below 2 3 below 2 3 below meet below class standard class standard class standard class standard standard

Figure 6. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in eastern region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality standard. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [16] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

Table 5. Water quality of the surface water resources in eastern region in 2003.

Imporatant water quality parameters

Station DO BOD TCB FCB NH3 Water quality Problems (mg/L) (mg/L) (unit*) (unit*) (mg/L) Bangpakong 3.9 1.2 9,800 3,000 0.16 fair - Prachinburi 5.5 0.8 3,500 1,600 0.05 fair - Nakornayok 4.6 0.7 7,100 1,200 0.15 fair - Rayong 4.6 0.8 183,100 16,800 0.26 deteriorated TCB, FCB Prasae 3.4 0.6 12,100 4,400 0.23 deteriorated FCB Pangrad 5.7 1.4 5,800 2,500 0.29 fair - Chantaburi 5.5 0.7 9,400 1,600 0.14 fair - Weru 5.1 0.9 1,300 240 0.11 good - Trad 5.2 0.7 4,500 660 0.14 good - Average 6.5 1.0 3,800 600 0.10 - - Class 2 > 6.0 < 1.5 < 5,000 < 1,000 < 0.5 good - Class 3 > 4.0 < 2.0 < 20,000 < 4,000 < 0.5 fair - Class 4 > 2.0 < 4.0 - - < 0.5 deteriorated -

Remark : * unit = MPN per 100 ml DO = dissolved oxygen BOD = biological oxygen demand FCB = fecal coliform bacteria

TCB = total coliform bacteria NH3 = ammonia THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [17]

Southern Region The water quality of 11 main streams, which are the Pakpanang River, Tapee-Pumduang River, Chumporn River, Langsuan River, Trang River, Saiburi River, and Pattani River, and the Songkla Lake, Thale Noi Sea, and Thale Luang Sea, was investigated. Good water quality could be found in the upper Tapee and Pattani Rivers, Thale Noi Sea, Thale Luang Sea, and Saiburi River while fair water quality could be detected in the Pumduang River, Pakpanang River, and lower Tapee River. Deteriorated condition was found in the lower Pattani River, Langsuan River, Trang River, and Chumporn River while highly deteriorated condition was investigated in the Songkhla Lake. From the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels and fecal coliform bacteria count of over 80% of the water quality monitoring stations, the water sources could be categorized as class 2 according to the surface water quality standard. The surface water quality standard for class 2 water sources states that the DO concentration equals or is greater than 6.0 mg/L, the BOD concentration equals or is less than 1.5 mg/L and the fecal coliform bacteria count equals or is less than 1,000 units (Table 6 and Figure 7). The Songkhla Lake in Muang district, Songkhla province has water quality problem in almost every parameters. The DO concentration was 0 mg/L, BOD level was 7.2 mg/L, FCB count was 160,000 units, and ammonia concentration was 6.7 mg/L (standard ammonia concentration of all surface water classes is no more than 0.5 mg/L), which was 13 times greater than the water quality standard. Contamination of fecal coliform bacteria was the main problem at the estuaries of Pattani River in Muang district, (average FCB count was 8,000 units), the Langsuan River in Langsuan district, Chumporn province (average FCB count was 5,900 units), and the Chumporn River in Muang district, Chumporn province (average FCB count was 16,500 units).

%– DO (mg/L) BOD (mg/L) TCB (unit) FCB (unit) NH3 (mg/L) 100 96

80 72 74 71 60 45 40 24 20 19 17 12 14 12 12 14 12 2 4 0 (> 6.0) (> 4.0) (> 2.0) (< 2.0) (< 1.5) (< 2.0) (<(<4.0) 4.0) (> 4.0) (< 5,000) 5 000) (< 20,000) 20 000) (> 20,000) 20 000) (< 1,000) 1 000) (< 4,000) 4 000) (> 4, 000) (< 0.5) (> 0.5) 2 3 below 2 3 4 below 2 3 below 2 3 below meet below class standard class standard class standard class standard standard

Figure 7. Percentage of all water quality monitoring stations in southern region in 2003 corresponding to the surface water quality standard. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [18] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

Table 6. Water quality of the surface water resources in southern region in 2003.

Imporatant water quality parameters

Station DO BOD TCB FCB NH3 Water quality Problems (mg/L) (mg/L) (unit*) (unit*) (mg/L) Pakpanang 4.0 1.6 2,900 700 0.20 fair - Upper Tapee 8.4 0.6 700 2 0.03 good - Lower Tapee 6.4 0.6 9,600 2,400 0.05 fair - Pumduang 7.6 0.6 17,400 300 0.05 fair - Chumporn 5.9 0.8 123,300 27,700 0.09 deteriorated TCB, FCB Langsuan 6.9 0.6 95,300 5,000 0.04 deteriorated TCB, FCB Trang 5.5 0.6 44,100 950 0.10 deteriorated TCB Saiburi 7.8 0.6 3,300 700 0.01 good - Upper Pattani 5.8 0.6 600 600 0.02 good - Lower Pattani 5.9 0.8 4,900 4,900 0.11 deteriorated FCB Thale Noi Lake 6.6 0.6 570 270 0.09 good - Thale Luang Lake 7.9 1.0 2,500 340 0.06 good - Songkhla Lake 5.6 1.5 36,900 26,800 1.13 highly deteriorated TCB, FCB, NH 3 Average 5.1 1.2 14,900 3,600 0.21 - - Class 2 > 6.0 < 1.5 < 5,000 < 1,000 < 0.5 good - Class 3 > 4.0 < 2.0 < 20,000 < 4,000 < 0.5 fair - Class 4 > 2.0 < 4.0 - - < 0.5 deteriorated -

Remark : * unit = MPN per 100 ml DO = dissolved oxygen BOD = biological oxygen demand FCB = fecal coliform bacteria

TCB = total coliform bacteria NH3 = ammonia THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [19] Coastal Marine Water Quality

The coastal water quality monitoring data of Thailand from 240 stations in 23 provinces and the assessment from the Marine Water Quality Index1 shows that 7 percent of the stations had excellent water quality, 61 percent had good water quality, 29 percent had fair water quality and 3 percent had deteriorated water quality. The data is shown in figure 1 and the coastal water quality index map is shown in figure 2.

The areas with deteriorated marine water quality are in the inner . These areas are the estuaries of the Chao Phraya river, the Thachin river, the Maeklong river Excellent 7% Deteriorated and the 12 Thanwa Canal (Samutprakarn province). These 3 areas had deteriorated water quality due to the waste load % Good

% from activities on land such as the communities, industries and 2 1 9 6 agriculture. The dissolved oxygen values and the total coliform % Fair bacteria values were not within the coastal marine water quality standards. More wastewater was released at the 12 Thanwa Canal estuary, where many industrial factories were densely situated. There was also a problem with Tributyltin (TBT) contamination which is a component in antifouling paint. TBT causes sexual change problems in aquatic and imbalances the ecological system. The TBT contamination Figure 1. Data from monitoring coastal marine water exceeded the USEPA and ASEAN standard of 10 ng/L in quality in B.E. 2546 (2003) many areas with deep-sea ports.

1 The parabeters used for calculation are DO, Total Coliform Boeteria, Phosphote-P, Nitrate-N, Temperature, Suspended Solids, pH, Amuonia-N and Pesticides. If the toxic elements and Pesticides values exceed the coostal marine water quality standards the water quality index will equal zero. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [20] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

Inner Gulf of Thailand (the estuaries of 4 main rivers) Most of the monitoring data show that the water quality in the area was within the coastal marine water quality standards. The exceptions were the following, the dissolved oxygen concentrations were below the 4.0 mg/L standard at the Thachin and Chao Phraya river estuaries (1.8 - 3.5 mg/L) and the 12 Thanwa Canal estuary (0.3 mg/L). The total coliform bacteria counts exceeded the 1000 mpn/mL standard at the Chao Phraya, Thachin and Maeklong river estuaries (900 - 16,000 mpn/mL). At the Bangpakong river estuary the Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria count, which causes diarrhea, was high at 70 CFU per mL. High nitrogen and phosphorus values were also detected at the Chao Phraya and Thachin river estuaries. As for Heavy metals, manganese concentrations exceeded the standards of 100 µg/L at the Chao Phraya river estuary (102 µg/L), the Thachin river estuary (62-226 µg/L), the Banpakong river estuary (369- 547 µg/L) and the 12 Thanwa canal estuary (301 µg/L). Chromium concentration also exceeded the standards of 100 µg/L at the 12 Thanwa canal estuary (161 µg/L). High TBT concentration was found in several stations as follows, the Maeklong river estuary (13-22 ng/L) the Thachin river estuary (17-23 ng/L) and the Chao Phraya river estuary (18 ng/L). Suspended solids values at the 12 Thanwa canal estuary was 97 mg/L and at the Bangpakong river estuary the value was 79-203 mg/L.

Eastern Gulf of Thailand ( province - Trad province) Most of the monitoring data show that the water quality in the area was within the coastal marine water quality standards. The exceptions were the following, the dissolved oxygen concentrations were slightly below the 4.0 mg/L standard at the Rayong river estuary (3.1 mg/L) and Laem Ngob port (3.5 mg/L). The total coliform bacteria values exceeded the 1000 MPN/mL standard at the port (1,700 -16,000 MPN/mL). The Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria value, which causes diarrhea, was high in the Angsila area at 3,400 CFU per mL and in the vicinity of oyster farms in Chonburi Bay at 1,300 CFU per mL. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [21]

High phosphate concentrations were detected at Saithong Beach (58.2 µg/L). Heavy metals concentration were within standard values, except for manganese concentration which exceeded the standards at Laem Chabang port (581 µg/L) and at the estuary of Yai canal in Trad Province (122 µg/L). Iron concentrations exceeded the 300 µg/L standard in the area of Weru river estuary (2,500 µg/L) and Yai canal estuary (2,200 µg/L). TBT concentrations in coastal marine waters are high in the area of Chonburi bay (13.2 ng/L), Udom bay (45-52 ng/L), Laem Chabang port (12-43 ng/L) and Mabtaput, Rayong province (15 ng/L). Suspended solids values were high at Laem Chabang port (130 mg/L), Chantaburi river estuary (123 mg/L), Weru river estuary (112 mg/L), Laem Ngob port (148 mg/L) and Yai canal estuary (122 mg/L) due to severe coastal erosion. Western Gulf of Thailand (Petchburi province - ) Most of the monitoring data shows that the water quality in the area was within the coastal marine water quality standards. The exceptions were areas with high counts of total coliform bacteria (2,400 -16,000 units) as follows, the estuaries of Ban Bangtaboon canal, Ban Laem canal in Petchburi province, mid-Prachuabkirikhan bay, the estuaries of Chumporn river, Langsuan river, Bangsaphan canal, Maenam market on Samui Island, Rin Beach bay on Pha-ngan Island, the estuaries of Thakoei canal, Thasoong canal, Pattani river and Bangnara canal in Narathiwat province. The Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria count was high in the area of Ban Bangtaboon in Petchburi province. Manganese concentrations exceeded the standards in the estuaries of Ban Bangtaboon canal (118 µg/L), Ban Laem canal (268 µg/L) in Petchburi province, Bangsaphan noi canal (142 µg/L) in Prachuabkirikhan province and Thakoei canal (211 µg/L), Surathani province. Iron concentrations were high in most areas. There were high TBT concentrations at the Samui island ferry pier (20 ng/L), Langsuan river estuary (15 ng/L), and Pattani river estuary (14 ng/L). High suspended solids values were detected at Thakoei canal estuary, Thachang district (195-406 mg/L) and Samret beach, Thachana district (235-274 mg/L), Surathani province. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [22] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

Andaman Coast ( - ) Most of the monitoring data shows that the water quality in the area was within the coastal marine water quality standards. The exceptions were Charndamri beach, Ranong province and Naiharn beach, which had low dissolved oxygen concentrations (2.8-3.0 mg/L). High counts of total coliform bacteria (16,000 units) were detected in the areas of Charndamri beach, Ranong province and Naiharn beach, Patong beach, Rawai beach, Phuket province, Ban Laemsak, Phannga province, Tonsai bay, Phi Phi island and Nopparatara beach, . Iron concentrations were high in most areas. There were high TBT concentrations at the pier on Tonsai bay, Phi Phi island (33 ng/L). Suspended solids values (3-43 mg/L) were lower than other regions. When compared to data from previous years (Table 1) areas with excellent water quality has decreased from 47% to 7%, areas with good water quality has increased from 36% to 61%, areas with fair water quality has increased from 11 % to 29% and areas with deteriorated water quality has decreased from 6% to 3%. The inner gulf of Thailand, at the four main river estuaries, remain the areas with deteriorated water quality.

Table 1. Marine water quality status 2001-2003 (%of sampling stations)

Year Excellent Good Fair Deteriorated Highly Deteriorated 2001 6 37 48 8 1 2002 47 36 11 6 0 2003 7 61 29 3 0

The main problems discovered were low DO concentrations and high counts of total coliform bacteria which exceeded the standard of 1,000 units. This was due to the dense population and increased industrial activities in the four main river estuaries. Most heavy metal concentrations were within the marine water quality standards. The exceptions were manganese and iron which still exceeded the standards. This is due to the geochemical nature of the coastal sediments which contain high concentrations of iron. TBT monitoring was initiated this year and high levels of TBT, exceeding the ASEAN marine water quality of 10 ng/L, were found in many areas especially at the estuaries of the main rivers and deep sea ports such as Laem Chabang. Also at the piers and the estuaries of rivers and canals, plastic debris was frequently found floating on the water surface. Oil sheen was frequently seen on the water surface of many fish piers and ports such as Sattahip fish pier, Samaesan fish pier in and at the ferry pier at Tonsai beach, Phi Phi island, Krabi province. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [23]

1 Ratchaburi 3 4 Chacherngsao 2 Chonburi Cambodia Petchburi Rayong Chantaburi

Trad Gulf of Thailand Chang Is. Kud Is. Prachuabkirikhan 1 Bangkok 2 Samutsongkram 3 Samutsakorn 4 Samutprakarn Chumporn

Ranong Tao Is. Phangan Is. Samui Is. Water Quality Index

Suratthani Deteriorated Fair Phangnga Good Excellent Krabi Nakornsrithammarat Phuket Trang N Phi Phi Is. Pattalung Lanta Is. 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 k.m. Satun Songkhla Tarutao Is. Pattani Yala Adang Rawi Is. Narathiwat

Malaysia

Figure 2. Coastal marine water quality index 2003 THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [24] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT Environmental Quality Index for Beaches and Islands

Pollution Control Department conducted an evaluation of the environmental quality for beaches and islands by utilizing the environmental quality index1 for tourist beaches. The index combines the following four aspects. 1) Coastal marine water quality which includes total coliform bacteria and suspended solids. 2) Amount of leftover garbage which includes the garbage in the water, on the beaches and in the seaside communities. 3) Beach condition which considers sand dunes, beach erosion and coral reef conditions. 4) Land use such as beach encroachment. The evaluation was conducted 6 times, four times during the high tourist season (February, March, April and December, 2003) and twice during the low season (June and August, 2003). The criteria and weighting of each aspect and the calculation method are in table 13 of the appendix. The results from the evaluation of 14 beaches in 2003 revealed that the beaches with good environmental quality were Saikaew beach, Huahin beach, Lamai beach, Chaweng beach, Patong beach, Karon beach, Loh Dalam beach and Yao beach. The beaches with average environmental quality were Bangsaen beach, Wonnapa beach, beach, , Cha-am beach and Tonsai beach (figure 1.). When compared to the evaluations in 2002, most of the beaches had good environmental quality. Jomtien beach environmental quality condition improved from poor to average. Lamai beach, Patong beach and Loh Dalam beach, environmental quality conditions improved from average to good. However, some leftover garbage was found scattered in the sea and on the beaches, especially during March and April in many areas such as Bangsaen beach, Pattaya beach, Jomtien beach, Patong beach and Tonsai Beach. Sometimes the total coliform bacteria exceeded the coastal marine water quality standards i.e. Jomtien beach in August and Chaweng beach in March. The results of the evaluation was publicized in the annual state of the pollution report, the state of water quality report and public relations posters on the beaches to disseminate the information to the public and to the tourists to promote cooperation in environmental conservation.

1 Pollution Control Department developed the index as a tool to evaluate the environmental conditions of the beach appropriate for tourism. The index combines 4 aspects and divided the environmental quality conditions into 5 levels which are excellent, good, average, poor and very poor. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [25]

Cha-am Bangsaen Pattaya Jomtien

Huahin Sai Kaew

Chaweng

Patong Lamai

Karon Loh dalam Tonsai Hadyai

Figure 1. Environmental Qauality Index for Beaches and Islands 2003 THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [26] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT Oil Spill on the coast of Chumporn

On the 18th of February 2003, Pollution Control Department was informed by the Chumporn provincial office of natural resources and environment (PONRE) that some oil spill had been discovered on the shores of Chumporn province in the area of Bormau beach. PCD then contacted the Marine Department, the and local authorities to survey the area and eliminate the oil spill. Chumporn PONRE and the Marine Transportation Office 4 Figure 1. Oil collection on the beach Chumporn branch surveyed the area of Bormau beach, Banlaemthaen beach, Ban Chaithale, Thungwualaen, and Phanangtug bay, a total distance of 35 kilometers. They discovered many 6-12 inches diameter patches of black viscous oil scattered along the coastline. The densest areas were Bormau beach and Phanangtug bay. They estimated that the oil spill occurred over 2 days ago. It was suspected that the oil spill may have occurred in the case of oil transfer between ships or from passing ships illegally dumping their waste, since the route from Bangkok to Songkhla passes the area. However aerial inspections by the Royal Thai Navy did not discover any suspicious ships. PCD then provided technical advice to the Chumporn PONRE on the methods to cleanup the beaches. The oil patches were collected into black plastic bags (figure 1.) and disposed in a landfill which would not contaminate any water sources. The oil samples collected from the beaches, were analyzed for the type and composition of the carbon in the oil as well as to discover the origins. The 8 samples were analyzed by studying the chromatogram (figure 2.). The results indicated that the oil had the same hydrocarbon composition as crude oil. However since the oil spill had already occurred for a few days, the composition had greatly changed. In regards to the investigation of the origins of the oil spill, at present there is a lack of systematical data collection such as each shipûs route, departure time. Therefore it is difficult to check which ship passed by in the time range and impossible to collect oil samples from the suspected ships to compare the hydrocarbon composition to the samples collected on the shoreline of Chumporn. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [27]

Figure 2. Chromatogram of carbon composition in the oil sample

Pollution Control Department has received these reports repeatedly. For example, during a certain period of the year Phuket province encounters this problem every year. One way of preventing and solving this problem is to provide reception facilities for ship oil waste at the ports then disposing the waste appropriately. This would decrease the amount of waste discharged into the sea. At present the Marine Department has designated the port zones of Bangkok Port, Sriracha Port, Mabtaput Port, Songkhla Port and Phuket Port as ports that must provide ship waste collection and treatment services. These services at present are provided by nine qualified private companies. The reception facilities for oil waste from ships is a regulation to control and protect the marine environment from waste dumping from ships which is the main point of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). Therefore it is necessary to accelerate the accession of MARPOL 73/78 to implement the regulations to control and protect the marine environment from waste dumping from ships. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [28] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT Lead Contamination in the Upper Maeklong Watershed

Upper Maeklong watershed area includes the Maeklong river, Kwae Noi river and Kwae Yai river. has many important mines in Thailand. In the past there were many mining activities including lead mining in Thong Phaphum district, Srisawad district and Sangkhlaburi district. Lead mining without good environmental management has caused many environmental problems such as lead contamination in Klity creek, causing hardship to the villagers living further downstream as they could not utilize the water from the creek. Pollution Control Department, coordinating with local and provincial authorities to help resolve the problem, had monitored the water quality of the creek as well as the lead concentration in the water and sediments of Klity creek.

In 1998 water and sediment samples were taken from Klity creek and the high lead concentrations in the water were in the range of 0.4-0.6 mg/L at a point downstream from the mine, while the standard for surface water quality is less than 0.05 mg/L. The sediment samples taken upstream from the mine had lead concentrations in the range of 181-567 mg/kg. Compared to the sediments taken downstream with lead concentrations of 1,316-112,704 mg/kg, clearly shows that the sediment was highly contaminated with lead. Pollution Control Department, Forestry Department and Department of Primary Industries and Mines (currently known as the Department of Mineral Resources) cooperated in the cleanup of Klity creek downstream from the mine which had high lead concentrations in the sediments. Department of Primary Industries and Mines had also closed down the mine at that time. In 2003, Pollution Control Department surveyed and conducted a risk assessment of lead contamination in the upper Maeklong watershed and discovered that the lead concentrations in the water in the area Figure 1. Two types of water sampling were in the range of 0.0024-0.05 mg/L, which is below the surface water quality standard of 0.05 mg/L. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [29]

Soil and sediment samples were also taken to test for lead contamination in the sediments of Klity creek downstream from the mine. The samples still had high lead concentrations of 31,125 mg/kg although it had decreased after the cleanup efforts of Pollution Control Department and related agencies in 1998. These results correspond with the water quality monitoring data of kwae Noi river, Kwae Yai river and Maeklong river covering the areas in the provinces of Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Samutsongkram during 1997-2006. The data indicated that the lead concentration in the water were below the surface water quality standard of 0.05 mg/L. In order to prevent and resolve water pollution problems in the Maeklong watershed, especially Klity creek, there were 3 options proposed. The first option is to allow the community to remain in the area and end the mine concession Second option is to allow both the community and the mining to remain in the area. Third option is to relocate the community Figure 2. Soil sampling in the area and allow the mining to remain. Studies on the society and economy should be included. There should also be a cleanup project of Klity creek to further remove the contaminated sediments and properly dispose of it in a secure landfill. Nevertheless, there should be a continuous water quality monitoring program in the Maeklong watershed to assess the water quality situation and the problem of lead contamination, to implement the measures to resolve the problems and to continually coordinate with the related agencies. THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [30] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT Environmental Problems from Freshwater Aquaculture

Freshwater aquaculture is an important agricultural activity. The Fisheries Departmentûs policy gave importance to the promotion and quality control of aquaculture fishery products of the nation to ensure food safety and to maintain adequate supply for domestic consumption and export. This has resulted in the continuous increase of aquaculture products and land use. Data from, the Fisheries Department in 2001 indicated that the aquaculture products and land use has steadily increased each year. The number of farms have increased 13%, land use for aquaculture have increased 11% and aquaculture products have increased 9% (table 1). Most of the aquaculture farms are located in the central and eastern region such as the provinces of Samutprakarn, Suphanburi, Samutsakorn, Chachengsao, Ratchaburi and Nakornpathom. The most reared aquaculture animals are herbivorous fish such as Nile , Snake-skin Gourami, farmed on a total of 556,000 rai. Next are the carnivorous fish such as Catfish, Snake-head Murrel farmed on a total of 50,000 rai, Giant fresh water Prawn 22,000 rai and others farmed on a total of 2,000 rai. The largest amount of aquaculture products are Nile Tilapia accounting for 30%, then followed by the Catfish, Tinfoil , Snake-skin Gourami, Yellowtail Catfish and Giant fresh water Prawn.

Table 1. Number of Freshwater aquaculture farms and products, 1997-2001

Number of Land use Products Year Farms (rai) Whole nation Average per rai Value (million Baht) (ton) (kg/rai) 1997 169,000 423,000 201,000 470 6,000 1998 204,000 518,000 227,000 440 7,000 1999 244,000 569,000 253,000 445 8,000 2000 256,000 601,000 271,000 450 8,400 2001 269,000 630,000 280,000 445 9,300 THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT [31]

The aquaculture animals are reared densely and fed on high protein feed or processed fish meal. Frequently too much fertilizer is used to adjust the conditions and provide food for planktons. Fish excretion and leftover food in the pond accelerates the fouling of the water. The farmers then must change the water in the pond regularly depending on the water quality. Once the animals are caught, the water is drained, the sediments removed and the pond restored to prepare for the next batch of aquaculture animals. Most aquaculture farms are located near natural water sources. Wastewater and sediments released from the ponds impact the water quality. The problems depends on the aquaculture management with the main cause as follows, 1. The accumulation of leftover food in the fish farms. The fish are fed daily; the carnivorous fish are fed high protein food such as trash fish mixed with rice bran, chicken offal, rice bran and food pellets. The herbivorous fish receive additional food such as fertilizer or waste, rice bran and waste, brewery by- products, soyabean meal and tapioca meal. Some farms raise chicken or pigs on top of the fish pond in order to add animal waste to feed the fish. 2. Use of medicine and chemicals such as antibiotics (oxytetracycline), vitamin C, deworming, and disinfectants such as potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, lime and fertilizer during pond preparation. 3. Water is changed to maintain water quality and catch the animals. The water is released with the sediments. Some farms manage their wastewater by pumping into the herbivorous fish pond or a sedimentation pond. However it is still not adequate. Wastewater from the carnivorous fish pond has a higher BOD value than other kinds of fish. Even though the BOD value may be less than other pollution source but the large amount of wastewater released at the same time still causes a significant impact to the natural water environment 4. From the survey by Pollution Control Department in 2003, it was discovered that the volume of wastewater from the rearing of Snake-head Murrel , Catfish, Trash fish and Giant freshwater Prawns were 92,600 5,400 2,800 and 9,400 cubic meters per rai per batch. The average sediment volume were 220, 178, 91, 60 cubic meters per rai per batch. The average suspended solids concentration in the pond were 10,340, 1,960 , 590 and 670 kilograms per rai per batch. The total sediment volume for the whole country were 19,800, 138,170, 189,780 and 16,780 tons annually (Table 2 and 3). The water quality was impacted and organic carbon compounds were accumulated in the sediments in the areas with a density of aquaculture farms which directly release their wastewater to the environment.

Table 2. Volume of wastewater and sediments from aquaculture ponds.

Number of batch Volume of wastewater Volume of sediment Type of animal (per year) (cubic meters per rai per batch) (cubic meters per rai During rearing During catching Total per batch) Snakehead Murrel 1.2 87,000 5,600 92,600 220 Catfish 2.0 1,200 4,200 5,400 178 nile Tilapia Trash fish 1.5 300 2,500 2,800 91 Giant freshwater prawn 1.0 6,700 2,700 9,400 160 THAILAND STATE OF POLLUTION REPORT 2003 [32] POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT

Table 3. Levels of BOD from Aquaculture.

Aquaculture pond Total volume of the country* During rearing During catching Total volume Type of animals (mg/L) (mg/L) (kilograms per BOD SS rai per batch) BOD SS BOD SS BOD SS Tons/day Tons/year Tons/day Tons/year Snakehead Murrel 15 80 21 528 1,520 10,340 8 2,910 54 19,800 Catfish 16 143 14 282 141 1,960 27 9,970 379 138,170 Nile Tilapia Trash fish 13 35 21 197 87 590 77 28,050 520 189,780 Freshwater prawn 9 27 17 151 130 670 9 3,270 46 16,780 Total 121 44,200 999 364,530

Note : * Calculated from land use for freshwater aquaculture in 2000

At present there are no measures to manage the problem of wastewater and sediments from aquaculture. Most farmers are not aware of the importance of wastewater management and installing a wastewater treatment system. They are more interested in improving the water quality input. Therefore the measures to manage the problem must start from the management of the whole farm including the farm layout plan, appropriate ratio of animals in the pond, feeding methods, wastewater treatment to reduce levels of BOD, nutrients and suspended solids. Water recycling in the farm would reduce the cost and impacts to the environment. In the future wastewater effluent standards may be established for freshwater aquaculture. This would support the development of freshwater aquaculture to cover the quality of the aquaculture products and environmental management.