Analysis of cadmium, lead and zinc in macrobenthic algae (Enteromorpha intestinals), water and sediments of San Fabian Bay, San Fabian, Pangasinan

• Main Authors: Balingit, Joseph S., David, Richard M.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1996
• Subjects: Heavy metals; Sediments (Geology)—Heavy metal content; Water—Composition; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/4145
• Institution: De La Salle University

Macrobenthic aglae, Enteromorpha intestinals, water and sediments collected from San Fabian Bay, Pangasinan from July to September 1995 were analyzed for cadmium, lead and zinc concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Based on the data gathered, zinc had the highest concentrations recorded (from 0.000 mg/L to 3.049 mg/L), followed by lead (from 0.012 mg/L to 0.529 mg/L) and lastly by cadmium (from 0.000 mg/L to 0.060 mg/L). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a = 0.05 level showed insignificant differences between means in the concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc per station and per collection. The results gathered also indicated that the amount of cadmium and lead exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recommended limit of 0.005 mg/L and 0.015 mg/L, respectively, in all three samples (algae, water and sediments) and could be a possible threat in the near future. Zinc concentrations, on the other hand, was below the limit set by the EPA of 5.00 mg/L and therefore does not present any immediate danger to the citizens of San Fabian, Pangasinan.