Philippine E-Journals

Water Quality Assessment of Coastal Waters of Bayabas and Bonbon in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Richie Grace M. Lago

Discipline: Ecology

 

Abstract:

Industrialization and the unhealthy environmental life of people along river communities have threatened the water quality of coastal waters. This research assesses the water quality of selected areas of Macajalar Bay measured using the following parameters: 1) physical water quality in terms of temperature, salinity and color; 2) chemical water quality in terms of pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO) and total suspended solids (TSS); and 3) biological water quality in terms of the total coliform. This study used the descriptive research design. It described the current quality of water of Macajalar Bay. Also, it carried a comparative aspect when the fragmental characteristics of the water and the quality criteria of the DENR and seaweed farming were considered. The samples were collected during the 4th quarter of 2008 and 1st quarter of 2009. The sampling was done once in every quarter of the year particularly in October (2008) and January (2009). Water samples were collected immediately using sterilized bottles/plastic containers and brought to the Department of Science & Technology (DOST) Laboratory for analysis. Except for the total Coliform, all the physical and chemical characteristics of water across all stations were within the Class B standard of the DENR and seaweed farming. Overall, the Macajalar Bay falls under Class “B” indicating that the water’s quality has remained acceptable.