A Comparative Analysis of Rainwater pH Levels in Regions III, NCR, and IV-A through a Citizen Science Approach

• Main Authors: Da Silva, Nicolo Maria Andre O., Lewis, Dannon Andre M., Tenorio, Krista Isabel I., Quitangon, Jaerey Austin E.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2022
• Subjects: air pollution; acid rain; COVID-19 pandemic; urbanization; citizen science; Life Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/conf_shsrescon/2022/poster_see/1; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1153&context=conf_shsrescon
• Institution: De La Salle University

With acid rain among its direct consequences, air pollution has been documented to threaten manmade infrastructures, human health, and natural ecosystems. The COVID-19 pandemic restricted today’s source of air pollutants, as it compelled various countries worldwide to limit socio-economic activities and transportation to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However, local research on air pollution has tended to concentrate on the Philippines’ capital Metro Manila alone and the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of location and time. Through citizen science, this study determined the pH levels of rainwater during the COVID-19 pandemic in areas within Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Calabarzon. Rainwater was collected in plastic containers from September to November 15, 2021 and assessed for its acidity using pH papers. After an analysis of variance (ANOVA), it was determined that there is a significant difference in pH levels with respect to region. This finding was then contextualized with anthropogenic and environmental conditions in the study areas. Recommendations for future studies and precautionary measures on acid rain were also provided.