Ma. Zarina Mae J. Yamog (February 2009)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Sipunculus spp. are marine worms that can be found mostly in tropical islands. In the Philippines, it can be found in Negros Occidental and Cebu and there are only few studies Occidental.
This study describes the structural measurements of Sipunculus spp. and the physical and chemical characteristics of sand and water in two different coastal areas in Negros Occidental.
Worm , sand and water samples were collected from Barangays Balaring and Latasan. The soil samples were processed for total phosporus, available iron pH, sulfur and organic matter. The pore water was tested for ammonia, nitrate-nitrite, pH and phospate, and the surface water was tested for Fecal Coliform and dissolve oxygen.
The soil and water pH of Brgy. Balaring are 7.79 and 7.82 respectively. The fecal coliform count in Balaring and Latasan is ≥2,400 mpn per 100ml and the dissolved oxygen contents of the surface water are 2.77 ±0.24 pmm and 1.83 ± 0.097 ppm respectively.
The organic matter content of soil from the two barangays are 2.24% ±0.03 and 2.13% ± 0.14. Sulfur (238.2793 ppm and 240.3427 ppm), total phosporus (2.175421±0.33 ppm and 2.238712 ± 0.45 ppm) and available iron (22.03905)±0.93 ppm) and 21.0675±0.87 ppm) are of these amounts.
The amounts of phosphate in surface water are 0.11990 ppm and 0.24351±0.16 ppm, nitrate-nitrogen (0.06495± 0.007 ppm and 0.06750± 0.007 ppm) and ammonia (0.12955+0.03 ppm and 0.13523±0.07 ppm).
The mean lengths of worm from Brgy. Balaring and Brgy. Latasan are 27.67±5.87 and 27.60±6.02 respectively. The mean weights are 121.25±41.02 and 133.80±26.02 respectively and the mean diameters are 2.15 ±0.21 and 2.17± 0.24 respectively.
Sipunculan worms in Barangay Balaring and Latasan, Silay live in alkalinic environment, with low dissolved oxygen and substantial amount of pathogenic organisms. Organic matter content and the amount of nitrite, ammonia, and sulfur in the soil are low, while available iron and phosporus are high. The worms, which are all creamy pink, range from 21cm to 38cm, weighing from 100g to 165g and their diameters range from 1.9 cm to 2.96 cm.