Sediment Evaluation of Manganese Concentrations in Limay Shoreline: A Monitoring Approach

Abstract

The current study on sediment quality at the shoreline of Limay is very limited. This study examined the levels of manganese (Mn) concentrations on the shoreline of Limay, Bataan, by analyzing of sediment samples. The concentration of the metals was determined by the use of a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, applying the Standard Addition Method. The tests were conducted at the First Analytical Service and Technical Cooperative Laboratories (F.A.S.T. Laboratories). The findings of the study conducted at two sampling locations indicated that the concentration of the heavy metal manganese was beyond the Maximum Allowable Limit for Sediment set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); however, it did not exceed the World Health Organization (WHO). For barangay Bo. Luz has concentrations as high as 595 ppm, 602 ppm, and 534 ppm. In the case of Barangay Lamao, it is seen that it exhibits the highest concentration levels, detecting 948 ppm, 958 ppm, and 758 ppm. The development of intensive farming techniques that depend on inorganic fertilizers, the lack of household waste management practices, the use of feeds and pesticides in the fishery industry, the discharge of waste from industrial sources, including the production of steel and fabrication, textile production, and mining company waste that flows into the ocean are potential sources that can be attributed to the high concentration of manganese.