Claire Ann Malaras, Genevive
Precillas, Sean Michael S. Cabañeros, RJ Krista Raye Y. Leocadio, and Gina C. Lacang, from
the different institute of Philippines, wrote a Research Article
about, Tiny Drifters, Big Clues: Zooplankton and Water Quality of Bitan-ag
Creek. Entitled, Zooplankton Assessment and the Physico-Chemical
Characteristics of Bitan-ag Creek Cagayan de Oro City. This research
paper published by the Journal
of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access
scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of
the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an
open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.
Abstract
This research study
aimed to analyze the physico-chemical characteristics of Bitan- ag creek and to
assess zooplankton diversity. Specifically, it determined (1) the
physico-chemical condition and nutrient load of the creek and compared to DENR
Administrative Order (DAO) standard, (2) assessed how the physico-chemical
parameters affect the distribution and abundance of zooplankton, (3) identify
zooplankton species that are found in each sampling sites, (4) measure
significant difference on the abundance and diversity of zooplankton between
sites. The study made used of the descriptive-comparative design to determine
quantitatively water quality parameters such as conductivity, water
temperature, TDS, turbidity, salinity, water current, COD, DO, pH, nitrates and
phosphorus. The results clearly revealed that some physico-chemical and
nutrient load parameters exceeded the standard of class “C” water body, this
includes: conductivity, TDS, turbidity, DO and phosphate content. A total of
five (5) species of zooplankton belonging to three (3) families namely: Appendicularia,
Daphniidae and Ameiridae were present. Family ameiridae had the
highest total number of three individuals which are found in first and third
sites, whereas, the appendicularia and daphniidae settled only in the
third sampling sites. Further, the study also showed significant difference on
the abundance and diversity of zooplankton between sites. Thus, the
distribution and abundance of zooplankton in Bitan –ag creek were greatly
influenced by the condition of its physico-chemical and nutrient chemistry. The
research suggested that there should be rehabilitation of Bitan –ag creek to
avoid further degradation of its water quality.
Read more : Unlocking Buttermilk Microbes: Amino Acids and Fermenting Bacteria Explored |InformativeBD
Introduction
Creeks are valuable
part of the aquatic resources serving as feeder-rivers, providing flood
control, storm water drainage, habitat to wildlife, creating neighborhood
beauty and improving quality of life (Saliu and Ekpo, 2006). Bitan-ag Creek is
one of many water tributaries in Cagayan de Oro City. According to some natives
in the City, Bitan-ag was formerly known as a river that has been surrounded by
grasslands. It was used as a source of drinking water for the native people and
for their animals. With anthropogenic activities through time, the very clean
body of water has become polluted (Canencia et al., 2011). Its conversion also
goes with the developmental stage of the City. Bitan-ag Creek is now a waterway
that cuts across Lim Ketkai Mall and a state university (University of Science
and Technology of Southern Philippines) and drain towards the shores bordering
Barangays Macabalan and Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.
According to the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the status of Bitan-ag
Creek has never been classified to its designation, hence, the national government
approved to include it in “Adapt an Estero Program”. However, it was
temporarily assigned as class “C” inland water. As such, it is useful for
fishery water in propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources. It
is usable also for recreational and for industrial water supply.
Bitan-ag Creek has, by
and large, ceased to be really useful creek except as disposal site for
whatever wastes people can think of –solid wastes and nonsolid wastes alike.
The survey and ocular inspections made revealed that where there are
communities that have sprouted near the creek, then, that part of the creek
becomes a victim of human abuse. This is even true in the high upstream
portions of the creek where people use the water from the creek for washing
clothes and for other household purposes. Even there, the evidence of dumping
lawn wastes glared to the observers. In fact, the people even burnt disposed
solid wastes right on the bed of the creek where there is no water (Del Rosario
and Palmes, 2010).
Based on the findings
of previous studies (Del Rosario et al., 2010; Canencia et al., 2011), it
revealed that the Bitan-ag Creek is in badly serious condition in terms of
pollution. The need of assessing the current status of water quality and the
zooplankton level is a necessity to know if the water quality are still
conducive for organisms to survive.
The study of
zooplankton, which has a key position in the trophic chain, can highlight its
fundamental role, and as a consequence, the functioning of the aquatic systems
can essentially better be understood. Hence, the development of its
conservation requires the realization of this study. Therefore, this paper aims
at determining the existing status of the distribution and abundance of
zooplankton in relation to nutrient chemistry as well as to the
physico-chemical characteristics of the creek and its potential to affect other
organisms via the food chain.
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