A study conducted by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines, sought to determine the sources of nutrients responsible for the cyanobacteria blooms during Summer months in the neritic zone of Boracay Island. The study showed the critical areas in Boracay island which were contaminated by coliform and cyanobacteria/ blue green algae mats. Stable isotope of C, H, O, N in sea water, biota and sediments were used to determine the sources of nutrients that feed the algae and coliform. The distribution of tritium was used to detect the discharges of submarine ground water and septic system water to the intertidal zone. Elemental composition of the sediments and coral was used to determine the sources and raw materials for white sand production. Point sources of infiltrating plumes were exposed by tritium and 18O anomalies in the sea water. Corals and algae that have assimilated undeclared septic system discharges by hotels and households and inorganic fertilizer from land based runoffs were exposed in the study. Intervalic spikes of lead, chromium and zinc were detected in the white sand. The results provided valuable data in the clean up measures of the island during the 6-month closure period in 2017
Contributions to nutrient loading of submarine ground water discharges (SGD), surface runoffs and sewage system discharges, during pre and post monsoon seasons in Boracay were established using six lines of evidences: tritium, Oxygen 18, Nitrogen 15, Carbon 13, elemental composition, and microbial load, in sea water, ground water, biota, flood water, and raw sewage/septic samples. The whimsical local belief on the alleged contribution of cyanobacteria/algae to white sand production has caused apathy to the eminent nutrient releases which were ascertained to fertilize the algae/cyanobacteria in the beach zone. Algae/cyanobacteria samples showed isotope compositions that were very close to those of raw sewage and sewer pipe water in terms of δ13C and δ15N. Stable isotope and geochemical data were also used to trace the fates of pollutants and monitor natural attenuation of nitrates, phosphates, pesticides, etc. Results of the study provide scientific bases for precision policy- making and management of the fragile ecosystem.
According to Raymond Sucgang , project leader of the study, the study of PNRI has the competitive advantage compared to other studies in Boracay because more precise determination of the source and origin pollution loads. Isotope techniques are at present the best tool for providing important information about the origin of contaminants, the contribution of different sources to a multi-source plume, characterisation of their complex transport (rate and mechanisms) and for evaluating the success of contaminated site remediation.
Contributions to nutrient loading of submarine ground water discharges (SGD), surface runoffs and sewage system discharges, during pre and post monsoon seasons in Boracay were established using six lines of evidences: tritium, Oxygen 18, Nitrogen 15, Carbon 13, elemental composition, and microbial load, in sea water, ground water, biota, flood water, and raw sewage/septic samples. The whimsical local belief on the alleged contribution of cyanobacteria/algae to white sand production has caused apathy to the eminent nutrient releases which were ascertained to fertilize the algae/cyanobacteria in the beach zone. Algae/cyanobacteria samples showed isotope compositions that were very close to those of raw sewage and sewer pipe water in terms of δ13C and δ15N. Stable isotope and geochemical data were also used to trace the fates of pollutants and monitor natural attenuation of nitrates, phosphates, pesticides, etc. Results of the study provide scientific bases for precision policy- making and management of the fragile ecosystem.
According to Raymond Sucgang , project leader of the study, the study of PNRI has the competitive advantage compared to other studies in Boracay because more precise determination of the source and origin pollution loads. Isotope techniques are at present the best tool for providing important information about the origin of contaminants, the contribution of different sources to a multi-source plume, characterisation of their complex transport (rate and mechanisms) and for evaluating the success of contaminated site remediation.
