Maria Gaye Margarette S. Cervantes, Eros Paul V. Estante, Joebert Edison B. Velasco (March 2012)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Banate Bay is a half-moon-shaped bay located in the southeastern part of Panay Island in central Philippines. The bay is one of the richest fishing grounds in the island; hence, the Banate Bay Management and Resource Center regularly monitors the water quality of the bay. However, the Center has no information which among the 14 river estuaries greatly affects the water quality of the bay. The purpose of this study was to determine the water quality in terms of biological properties of the discharged water from the three major river estuaries namely Guintas, Tinorian, and Talokgangan, into the bay. Biological properties consist of total coliform count (TCC) and fecal coliform count (FCC). Sampling was conducted during the rainy season from May to November 2011 every 14 days during the transition from high to low tide. The water quality properties of the water discharges of the 3 rivers have greater values compared to the water quality properties of Banate Bay. Results show that FCC and TCC ranges from 8.2 to >1600MPN/100 mL except for Guintas river where at times, FCC and TCC fall below 10MPN/100mL. The water discharged by the 3 major rivers were contaminated with coliform bacteria except for Guintas River. the quality of the water discharges can be attributed to unsanitary human waste disposal of residents residing along the river banks. Likewise, Talokgangan is near to the Banate Bay public market which further degrades the quality of water biologically.