An analysis of the mercury content of

the water and life forms in Manila

Bay (Cavite area)

Del Rosario, Christelle Joy

Guiang, April Joy
Medallon, Kamina Cheenee
Morcilla, Cherry Lou M.
Santos, Anne Bernadette
Santos, Jesse Nicole
 Report Outline
Environmental Health
Introduction
• Background on Manila Bay
• Background on Mercury as an element
• Significance of the Study
• Scope and Limitations
• Problems and Hypotheses
• Variables
Methodology
Presentation of Data
Conclusion
Recommendation
References
 Overview: Environmental Health

• All aspects of the natural and built environment that

may affect human health
• The direct pathological effects of
chemicals, radiation and some biological agents, and the
effects (often indirect) on health and wellbeing of the
broad physical,
psychological, social and aesthetic environment which
includes housing, urban development, land
use and transport. -WHO
Background of the Study: Manila Bay

• Manila Bay is located along the coastal areas of

Manila, Cavite, Las Pinas, and Paranaque.
• It is a historic place in the Philippines
primarily because of its prime location, serving as
one of the prominent ports of entry to the
Philippines
• Has been notorious for being one of the most
contaminated and polluted waters in the Philippines.
Background of the Study: Mercury (Hg)
• Consumption of fish with high levels of mercury can cause
mercury poisoning.
• Algae absorbs mercury contaminated water → small fish consume
algae → small fish consumed by bigger fish leading to an
increase of mercury levels → human consumption
• When mercury is placed in water, it turns into methyl mercury
due to the actions of the anaerobic organisms that thrive in the
water. Consumption of such is especially harmful to pregnant and
breastfeeding women because fetuses and newborns are sensitive to
mercury. Methyl mercury exposure in adults has also been linked
to increased risk of cardiovascular disease including heart
attack.
 Mercury Content in Manila Bay

Problems of overpopulation and a general lack of knowledge about

environmentally sound practices have eroded the possibility of a
clean and beautiful Manila Bay. More than the aesthetics, it is
also necessary to investigate how this situation in Manila Bay
affects the quality and state of its waters and its inhabitants.

In this light, the researchers have taken an interest in probing

the depths of the waters of Manila Bay through study and
investigation. This will be done by testing and scientifically
examining the fish thriving specifically in the waters in the
area of Cavite.
 Significance of the Study

• The health impact of the accumulation of harmful

substances in a body of water that functions as a main
source of food for many people.
• Awareness about the current situation of the
country’s waters and its environment, in general.
 Objectives

The researchers aim to...

• Acquire knowledge on the effects of the mercury content

that is found on the coast of Manila Bay (Cavite area), to
the condition of the water and the fish in Manila Bay.
• Know the effect of the water’s condition to the fish that
still exist in Manila Bay and the effects to the consumers
of these fish.
 Scope and Limitations

• Water samples are from the Cavite area of Manila

Bay only
• The type of life form that the research will focus
on will be medium-sized fish that are usually
harvested in the area and sold in the market
 Statement of the Problem

1. What is the current condition of the fish in the Cavite

area of Manila Bay, considering that their habitat is
heavily polluted?
2. How does the water’s mercury content affect the
condition of the fish in Manila Bay?
3. Is the fish in the said area safe for human consumption?
 Hypotheses

• Water of Manila Bay is contaminated with a considerably

harmful amount of Mercury.
• The fish in this area of Manila Bay are probably
experiencing undergrowth and are dwindling in numbers due to
the pollution.
• The fish inhabiting the heavily polluted Manila Bay would
not be safe for human consumption.
 Variables

1. Dependent Variable (DV): Condition of the fish in the

Cavite area of Manila Bay Independent Variable (IV):
Pollution of water in Manila Bay

2. DV: How fish are affected; IV: Mercury content of

the water

3. DV: Safety for human consumption; IV: Condition of

the fish in the said area
 Methodology

1. Water and fish samples were gathered from Manila Bay

(Cavite area),
Water - Water sample should be collected at least 1 km
away from the shore..75ml of Nitric acid was mixed
with the water sample in order to preserve the water
contents.

Fish - Fish sample should at least reach 500 grams.

Bones should be removed.
2. The water and fish samples were submitted to the UP-NSRI.
3. The data was gathered and interpreted.
Manila Bay (Cavite Area)
Manila Bay (Cavite Area)
Researchers
Acquired Data / Test Results

Sample Mercury, mg/L

SEAWATER FROM CAVITE

< MDL* (MDL = 0.0001)
15 August 2010

Method of Analysis AAS*, Cold Vapor (Ref.1)

o MDL – Method Detection Limit

o AAS – Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry
 Acquired Data / Test Results

Sample Mercury, mg/kg

FISH FROM SEAWATER OF CAVITE

0.035 (LOQᵃ = 0.04)
17 August 2010

Method of Analysis AASᵇ, Cold Vapor (Ref.1)

o LOQ – Limit of Quantitation

o AAS – Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry
 Conclusion

• The fishes and other sea food coming from the area are still
safe for human consumption, in terms of their total mercury
content. However, the possibility of mercury build-up in the
human system should be considered.
• Both land and sea-based human activities have contaminated the
area with mercury. Thus, the safety of Manila Bay’s water and
water resources (fishes and other sea organisms) must be
addressed immediately.
 Recommendations

• The detection of merely mercury in the water may be

insufficient to comprehensively determine whether the fish
inhabiting the water is safe for consumption or not. The
researchers recommend testing for other substances that may
thrive in the water and in the fish that may be ingested by
humans.
• Testing of other types of fish particularly the bigger ones
that are directly consumed.
 Reference List
Stibich, M. (2009 Jun 27). The best types of fish for health. Retrieved 2010 Sept
13 from
http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongnutrition/a/fish_mercury.htm
Mercury. Retrieved 2010 Sept 10 from
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Mercury_(element)
Groth, E (2009 Feb). Mercury in fish. Retrieved 2010 Sept 13 from
www.zeromercury.org/International_developments/International_develop
ments/FULL_FISH_REPORT_FINAL+.pdf
Mercury. Retrieved 2010 Sept 9 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_(element)
Zahir, F., Rizwi, S., Haq, S. and Kahn, R. (2005). Low Dose Mercury Toxicity and
Human Health. In F. Zahir et al. (Eds.), Environmental Toxicology and
Pharmacology xxx (2005)xxx–xxx . Retrieved 2010 Sept 14 from
http://www.detoxmetals.com/content/FISH/FISH/Low%20dose%20Hg%2 0exposure.pdf