Jemimah Gyra C. Escote Aya Isabel B. Gelonga Ma. Niña Jasmer C. Yturralde (March 2013)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to compare the population of cyanobacteria in the soils of two mangrove areas 1) a mangrove area beside a coal-fired power plant and, 2) a mangrove area with no nearby coal-fired power plant with the objectives of counting and comparing the population of cyanobacteria, identifying the species and determining the presence or absence of coal fly ash in the soils. The entire duration of this study was three weeks and the study sites were Hinactacan, Lapaz and Dangulaan, Anilao where in Hinactacan is beside the coal fired power plant in each study site, 13 samples were collected through random selection Nine samples were used for measuring the soil parameters namely, moisture, pH and nitrogen-nitrate concentration where in each parameter had three samples. Three samples were used for culturing cyanobacteria and one sample for coal fly ash detection The culturing of cyanobacteria was done using the spread plate method and isolation was done using the streak plate method. All samples were incubated for 120 hours Identification of isolated cultures was done by smearing the isolated cultures on the glass slide and viewing them under the microscope. It was done with the aid of Dr Radha Prassana and Dr Thomas dela Cruz. Results of this study showed that Anilao has larger number of bacteria colonies than Hinactacan and there is no presence of coal fly ash in both areas. The detection of coal fly ash was done using the Scanning Electron Microscope by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. The results of the soil parameters showed that the soils from Hinactacan has higher pH level, higher moisture and lower nitrate-nitrogen content compared to the soils from Anilao. No cyanobacteria was isolated in the soils from both mangrove areas. The isolates were other species of bacteria.