UPV Theses and Dissertations
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Item Heavy metal concentrations in sediments from Batan Bay and its tributariesAndrada, Mary Royce D. (Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2014-04)The concentration of three heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu) in sediments from Batan Bay and its tributaries were determined in order to assess the degree of contamination of sediments in the said area. The samples were digested following the Method 3050B of US Environmental Protection Program (EPA, 1996). The heavy metal concentrations were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS). Results show that the heavy metal concentrations ranged from n.d. - 2.57 mg/kg dry weight (dw) for Cd; 16.44-143.02 mg/kg dw for Cu; and 3.18-28.53 mg/kg dw for Pb. Sediment sample collected from BTN #10 has the highest Cd concentration while sediment sample collected from BTN 052 which is a rice field in Batan, Aklan registered the highest Pb and Cu concentrations. Three sediment quality guidelines (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Canadian Sediment Quality Guideline and Hong Kong Sediment Quality Guideline) were employed to assess the metal contamination in sediments. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in all sites did not exceed the maximum permissible limits set by the three guidelines. As for Cu, BTN 052 exceeded the Upper Chemical Exceedance Level set by Hong Kong SQG. Correlation analysis showed that there is a significant correlation (p <0.01) between Pb and Cu indicating possible similar source input. Special attention must be given to BTN 052 since the levels of the studied heavy metals are high in this area. The results can be used as basis for the pollution level of sediments from Batan Bay and its tributaries. Special consideration should be given to BTN 052 since all of the test metals are significantly high in this area. It is also suggested to in identify the primary sources of metal contamination in this area.Item Efficiency of constructed filters in removing heavy metals (Cd,Cu,Pb and Zn) from chemical wastewaterAlbaladejo, Anthony Salvador B. (Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2012-04)The presence of heavy metals at elevated concentrations is a major concern due to its toxic effects to aquatic organisms, plants and humans. Untreated wastewaters from chemistry laboratories could be the key source of heavy metal contamination if not properly processed before disposal to the environment. In this study, the efficiency of the constructed filter, made up of plant-based materials, in removing heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) from chemical wastewater was determined. Characterization of the untreated and treated chemical wastewaters was also performed using different water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, TDS, TSS, COD, heavy metals and toxicity. Results show that the untreated chemical wastewater contains high concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd which did not pass the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) standards and considered harmful when released to the environment. The physico-chemical characteristics, such as TSS and TDS, of the untreated wastewater also did not pass the standards set by DENR except for pH, temperature and COD. The quality of the treated wastewater failed to pass the DENR standards for TSS and TDS thus the constructed filter was not efficient in improving the said physico-chemical characteristics of the wastewater. Rice hull was efficient in removing Zn, Cu and Pb. Bagasse was efficient in removing Pb and saw dust was efficient in removing Cu. The constructed filter was able to significantly reduce the concentrations of heavy metals from 18-L chemical wastewater. The removal efficiency was not significantly different from the 9-L volume treatment. Pb concentration was within the DENR standards after treatment while Zn, Cu and Cd concentrations were above the requirement. The initial concentration of the metal in wastewater greatly affects the removal efficiency of the constructed filter. Furthermore, the constructed filter was able to minimize the toxicity of the chemical wastewater. These findings could be of significance in the design of the treatment facility that could address the problem of heavy metal pollution.Item Geochemical association of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in the sediments of Iloilo River estuaryArban, John Paul B. (Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2005-04)The geochemical association of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in the sediments of Iloilo River Estuary has been studied using a modified Tessier’s sequential extraction procedure. The results obtained show that most of the metals studied are mostly associated in the residual and organic matter fractions of the sediment samples (Cr: 66.26% - 74.36% in the residual,15.43% - 24.08% in the Fe-Mn oxide fraction, 8.14% - 12.71% in organic matter fraction, and 0.000% - 2.996% in the exchangeable/carbonate fraction; Cu: 39.30% - 46.73% in the residual, 12.00% - 52.18% in the organic fraction, 3.227% - 11.41% in the Fe-Mn fraction, and 0.000% - 17.43% in the exchangeable/carbonate fractions; Ni: 42.75% - 57.02% in the organic matter fraction, 24.93% - 39.33% in the residual, 5.814% - 14.15% in the Fe-Mn fraction, and 5.504% - 13.12% exchangeable/carbonate fraction; and Pb in sample AAA-21: 48.02% in the residual, 38.55% in the organic matter fraction, and 7.33% in the Fe-Mn fraction, and 6.078% in the exchangeable/carbonate fraction). The analysis of the total metal concentrations of the sediment samples taken from Iloilo River are found to be above the reported concentration of uncontaminated sediment except for Pb in sediment sample AAA-21 (Chromium: 102.1 ug/g - 150.5 pg/g; Copper: 62.56 pg/g - 111.7 pg/g; Nickel: 53.40 pg/g - 75.44 pg/g; and Lead in sample AAA-21: 22.21 pg/g). The study shows that about 50% of the total metal concentration in the sediment samples are bioavailable to the aquatic organisms.