De Juan, Edward Victor G. (March 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
Sipunculans are less known marine worms and few studies have been conducted on it in the Philippines.
This study aims to describe the physio-chemical characteristics of Sipuncilan habitat and their structural measurements in Barangay Sicaba, Cadiz City, Balaring, Silay City, and Capayawan, Cadiz Viejo, Negros Occidental.
Soil and water samples were collected from the subtidal zone. The soil was tested for sulfur, iron and available phosphorus, pH and organic matter while pore water was tested for nitrate, phosphate, ammonia and pH and the surface water for Fecal Coliform and dissolved oxygen (DO).
Sicaba soil has 3.199411±0.217 ppm of phosphorus, 22.62931±1.003ppm of iron, 190.7016±2.606ppm of sulfur, a pH of 7.75, and 2.47% of organic matter. Balaring soil has 3.142617±0.045ppm of phosphorus 19.992555±1.912ppm of iron, 200.4758±2.475 of sulfur, a pH of 8.08, and 1.28% of organic matter.
Sicaba water has 460MPN per 100mL of fecal coliform and DO of 1.78. Balaring water has ≥2, 400 MPN per 100mL of fecal coliform and a DO of 2.08. Capayawan has ≥2, 400 MPN per 100mL of fecal coliform and a DO of 2.68.
Sicaba worms are about 28.5833±2.22g, 19.9542±1.30 cm long and has a circumference of about 3.7667±0.22cm. Balaring worms are about 146.25±8.02g, 23.583±1.72cm long and has a circumference of about 6.5625±0.21cm. Capayawan worms are about 174.25±10.88g, 46.68±cm long and has a circumference of about 7.55±0.22cm.
The worms in Sicaba, Capayawan and Balaring live in a slightly basic environment with high levels of phophorus, iron, nitrite, phosphate, ammonia and low levels of sulfur. Dissolved oxygen is low with high levels of fecal coliform and sufficient amount of oranic matter.
The worms from capayawan are relatively longer, heavier, and thicker than those in the other two sites.