RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The chapter includes the results and discussions of the study.

Collected data from JEFCOR laboratories shows that there was a presence of

lead and mercury in the collected water samples. In addition, data reveals that the

presence of lead on the sample is <0.01 mg/L while the presence of mercury is <0.0001

mg/L. Result indicates that the estuary of brgy. Wawa I in Rosario, Cavite contain low

amounts of lead and mercury.

Table 1. Concentration of lead and mercury on water samples obtained from brgy. Wawa
I, Rosario, Cavite.
Test Results, mg/L
Week of Parameters Test Method
Collection Top Middle Bottom

Lead Flame-AAS <0.01 <0.01 <0.01

1st
Mercury Cold Vapor-AAS <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001

Lead Flame-AAS <0.01 <0.01 <0.01

2nd
Mercury Cold Vapor-AAS <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001

Lead Flame-AAS <0.01 <0.01 <0.01

3rd
Mercury Cold Vapor-AAS <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001

Lead Flame-AAS <0.01 <0.01 <0.01

4th
Mercury Cold Vapor-AAS <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001

According to Mijares (2016), heavy metals are usually found in sediments,

especially on coastal water. She stated that mercury is found on tuna’s tissue, and this
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mercury is located on the sediments of coastal waters. Lead on the other hand, can be also

found in the sediments. When run off takes place heavy metals are washed; thus, can

flow in other surface water. Estuary, where salt water and fresh water meets, can be

washed off during high tides. Flowing fresh water can wash off heavy metals present on

the surface. Lead and mercury vapor in of rain, snow, and dry particles, can enter and

mount up in the estuary.

As cited by Marfo (2014), Aderino (2009) confirmed that sediments are important

host for heavy metals. According to Abubakar et al.(2015), heavy metals in marine

ecosystems are in low concentration, normally at the nanogram to microgram per liter. In

addition, heavy metals are passed in humans by food, drinking water, or air. Aquatic

fauna such as fish is the most important source of mercury (Hg). Some trace elements are

essential to maintain the metabolism of human body. However, if these heavy metals are

in high concentration, it can lead to poisoning. Heavy metals that are linked to human

poisoning are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and Cadmium (Cd). Amadi et al.

(2014) as cited by Marfo (2014), reported that heavy metal contamination in heavy metal

in surface water is influenced by input from source, sediments, organic materials,

temperature, and sometimes the mineral composition of rocks.

According to Lenntech, Maximum Permissible Concentrations (MPC) of lead

(Pb) in natural water for the protection of human health is 5 mg m-3 while mercury (Hg)

is 0.144 mg m-3. In addition, mercury, and lead are not required even in small amounts by

any organism. Because metals are rather insoluble in neutral or basic pH, pHs of 7 or

above give a highly misleading picture of the degree of metal pollution. So in some cases

it may underestimate significantly the total of metal concentrations in natural waters.

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According to DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 34 Series of 1990, Heavy

metals such as lead and mercury must not be greater to the amount or levels that they

indicated. Since estuary to class C, the level of lead must be less than 0.5 mg/L while for

is less than 0.002. Since the result shows that Brgy. Wawa I contains <0.01 mg/L lead,

and <0.0001 mg/L mercury, it indicates that the estuary has not reached the DENR

standard for lead and mercury contamination.