Armel James A. Altillero, Jaime Geronimo A. Garcia, Ralph Elvi M. Villalobos (February 2004)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the pollution levels of water samples from five different sampling areas along Batiano River in terms of percent transmittance, pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, temperature, salinity, alkalinity, and presence of fecal coliform. It also determined the significant differences in terms of these parameter values among the water samples from the different sampling areas, and compared the same with the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Class D inland waters. Triplicate water samples gathered from San Juan, Bianing, Compania, Yulo and Sto. Nino Sur areas along the Batiano River were then tested and the result data were processed and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science 10.0 software.
Sampling areas along Batiano River showed a range of percent transmittance values of 72.867% to 75.033% at 430 nm, and 66.500% to 67.167% at 710 nm. The pH values ranged from 8.267 to 8.500, while the dissolved oxygen values ranged from 4.417 mg/L to 5.126 mg/L. Temperature values ranged from 0.400 ppt to 10.233 ppt. Alkalinity values, on the other hand ranged from 171.708 mg/L to 200.767 mg/L. Total dissolved solids are greatest in Yulo and Sto. Nino areas, while they are in moderate amounts in San Juan, Bianing and Compania areas. The water samples from the sampling areas along the River passed the DENR standards for pH and dissolved oxygen. Only the San Juan, Bianing, and Compania areas passed the DENR standard for total dissolved solids. All the sampling areas, except Compania, passed the DENR standard for alkalinity; and except Yulo area, all areas passed the standard for coliform organism.