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    Gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity and heavy metal concentration profiles of well water of the Calahunan dump site, Mandurriao, Iloilo City
    Amarante, Hena Charma; Basquez, Mark Anthony; Brunio, Christian Allan; Dable, Nesel; De la Pena, Pamela-Di; Genterola, Janis; Oredina, Josette Marie; Padayhag, Dave (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2005-03)
    The study aimed to establish presence of radioactivity and concentration of heavy metals specifically lead and chromium in drinking water from wells within one-kilometer radius from the approximated center of the Calahunan dump site. Results showed that four out of twelve wells have positive results fro gross alpha activity and gross beta activity: wells 2A, 2C, 3A, and 3D. Well 2A, 2C and 3D registered alpha activities of 0.54, 0.033 and 0.369 Bq/L respectively while Well 3A registered beta activity of 1.0 Bq/L. Wells 2A and 3D exceeded the radiological limits set by WHO and PNSDW of 0.1 Bq/L for alpha activity and 1.0 Bq/L for beta activity. These wells that are found adjacent to the perimeter fence of the dump site registered alpha activity (wells 2A, 2C and 3D) and beta activity (well 3A). Radiological activities in all other wells sampled registered less than lower limit of detection. For gamma activity, all wells recorded 137- Cs and 134-Cs activity less than the lower limit of detection. For chromium and lead concentration using FAAS, only well 3C has a chromium concentration of 0.0952 ppm and this exceeded the PNSDW standard for chromium in drinking water (0.05 ppm) FAAS has not recorded any value for lead. For chemical constituent analysis using XRF, two wells in zone 1 (LA and IC), have recorded lead concentration of 0.9 and 0.136 ppm, respectively. In zone two, only well 2D registered a lead concentration of 0.248 ppm. In zone 3, well 3C registered a lead concentration of 0.397 ppm. For chromium concentration, only well 2A in zone 2 has a chromium concentration of 1.79 ppm. The spot interview and ocular inspection found out that the following garbage are disposed of indiscriminately tn the dump site: (1) Television picture tubes, (2) Dysfunctional Computer Monitors, (3) Used syringes and needles, (4) Hospital wastes, (5) Automobile batteries and dry cells, (6) scrap iron, tin cans, paint cans, paint cans, etc., (7) polyethylene bottle, glass bottles, and containers of similar types, and (8) other organic and inorganic wastes. Wells whose values for gross alpha, lead, and chromium concentration exceeded the standard are unsuitable for dinking and other domestic uses. The observation that wells (2A and 3D) near the Calahunan dump site registered higher-than-standard alpha activity may be a good basis to conduct further research particularly on the effect of leachate from dump site.
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    Heavy metal concentrations in sediments from Batan Bay and its tributaries
    Andrada, 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.
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    Efficiency of constructed filters in removing heavy metals (Cd,Cu,Pb and Zn) from chemical wastewater
    Albaladejo, 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.
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    Physico-chemical assessment of the groundwater in Barangay Mohon, Arevalo District, Iloilo City
    Adenix, Kimberly V. (Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2017-06)
    Water analysis determines the stability and reliability of natural water sources. Determining the physical and chemical compositions of water would indicate its safety for use and consumption. In this scientific study, water analysis was conducted to evaluate the quality of potable water from eight water pumps, commonly used for drinking, in Brgy. Mohon, Arevalo District, Iloilo City. Aside from drinking, most residents also used these groundwater sources for cooking, bathing, washing, and laundry purposes. The parameters tested were pH, temperature, alkalinity, phosphate, nitrite, dissolved oxygen, and heavy metals (e.g., lead, copper, and cadmium) content. The analyses were conducted from February to April with same time of collection (9:00 am-12:00 nn) and the samples were stored under dark and cold conditions (4 °C). During the analyses, the following methods were used: titrimetric for alkalinity and dissolved oxygen content, colorimetric and UV/Vis spectrophotometry for phosphate and nitrite-nitrogen, and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for heavy metals. Results showed that all sampling sites were determined to have alkaline waters (7.29- 7.77), because of the high pH and alkalinity values. Also, it was found that the water sources contained very high phosphate levels (0.54-1.29 mg/L PO4-P) that contributed to very low DO levels (0.12-0.14 mg/L DO). Other parameters, such as nitrite-nitrogen and heavy metal determinations showed no significant difference based on the standard limits set by different environmental institutions.
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    Optimization of lead (II) adsorption of EDTA-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide using response surface methodology
    Angeles, Christine Debbie Shanne V. (Department of Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, 2017-06)
    Chronic intake of lead-contaminated water, even at low concentrations, can cause damage to the digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. To effectively remove lead in water, solid phase extraction or adsorption is being used. In this study, EDTA-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide (EmGO) adsorbent was fabricated using a stepwise modification of graphene oxide (GO). It was characterized using SEM, FTIR, and XRD. EmGO was shown to have improved adsorption capacity towards Pb(II) in natural water. Also, the magnetic property of the adsorbent allowed an easier and more convenient mean of retrieval. The generated response surface model from Box- Behnken design (BBD) approximated the optimum condition for maximum removal efficiency of EmGO. Based on the results, the model had a 0.9113 (±0.0001) overall desirability, optimum values for pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time were 5.99 (±0.01), 12.2135 (±0.0001), and 48.39 (±0.01), respectively. The highest percent removal efficiency of EmGO in the experiment was determined to be 73.41 (±0.01)%.