Assessment of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Iloilo Batiano River, Philippines

Abstract

 Abstract—No study have existed on heavy metals present in the river of Iloilo Batiano, Philippines. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the presence and quantities of heavy metals specifically cadmium, chromium and lead in the sediments of Iloilo Batiano River. Furthermore, water physicochemical parameters were determined such as pH and temperature, in situ. Three sampling stations were identified adjacent to (1) Batiano Bridge of Oton, Iloilo; (2) Sto. Nino Bridge of Villa, Iloilo City and (3) Calumpang Bridge of Molo, Iloilo City, respectively. Three (two sides and at the center perpendicular to the river) 500 g surface sediments were collected in each of the sampling station for a total of nine sediment samples stored in a sterile ziplock and were immediately transported at the CAS-ASL of UPV, Miag-ao, Iloilo for the quantification of metals through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). Available cadmium was below detection limit and it appeared that available Pb > Cr in the three points of the river in the three sampling stations. Available chromium and lead have high accumulation in station three (Calumpang Bridge). This study provides information on the heavy metal status of the river, awareness to the public and for further conservation of the river. assessment of heavy metals in the sediment of the Second Songhua River in China, it was found out that the concentrations of chromium and lead in surface sediment (0-10 cm depth) were 2.4 - 75.4 mg/kg, correspondingly (9). On the other hand, the presence of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury and chromium in water, sediment, plankton and fish from Lake Beysehir of Turkey through atomic absorption spectrophotometry was conducted (10). Results showed that heavy metals found in sediment were Pb > Cd > Cr > Hg. Based on Turkish regulations, cadmium and lead in Lake Beysehir were above the permissible levels for drinking water. Similarly, an assessment of heavy metals in Almendares River sediments in Havana City, Cuba showed that lead concentration was 39.3 - 189 µg/g, 84.9 - 209.7 µg/g for chromium and 1.0 - 4.3 µg/g for cadmium dry