Impact of marine tourism on the recreational water quality of Muk Island, Trang Province, Southern Thailand

Abstract

The characteristics of the water consisting of several parameters in the surrounding area of Muk Island were examined. Reference surface water was also concurrently sampled at stations located outside the recreational area stations. Relative modifications (RM) in the recreational area stations water quality were assessed as the difference between the magnitude of a specific parameter recorded at the recreational area stations and the concurrently recorded value of the parameter at the reference station, relative to the mean value at the reference station. In this study, the specific parameters of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, total suspended solids (TSS), total inorganic nitrogen (TIN = NO-2 + NO-23 + NH+3) and orthophosphate(PO-34) were shown to be significantly modified in December and April, but non-significantly modified inSeptember. The total coliform bacteria (TC) and fecal coliform (FC) in seawater at the recreational area stations were found to be higher than the coastal water quality standard. With a water quality criteria based coastal water quality standard fortourism, a significant but not dangerous level of pollution was observed in this area. TC and FC were the most significant pollutants in the recreational area stations.

Keywords

• environmental impact
• marine tourism
• relative modification (RM)