How the Ecological Problems of Laguna de Bay Affect Its Aquaculture

Manzano, Vernon Josh V.

Abstract
Laguna de Bay is one of the most important lakes of the Philippines. Its dominant use is for
aquaculture. In this study, different ecological problems will be studied in relation to how they
affect the fish life and aquaculture of the lake. Water quality tests as a holistic approach to the
physico-chemical properties of the lake will be performed. Biological factors such as algal
blooms, water hyacinths and invasive species will be studied using various methods. The
study hypothesizes that the water quality of the lake is deteriorating in relation to the physicochemical standards for the lake which is a Class C water. Occurrence of algal blooms are
hypothesized to cause fish mortality through crowding and toxin production. Accumulation of
water hyacinths are hypothesized to cause a decrease in DO levels and affect water flow.
Invasive species are hypothesized to cause competition for food and destruction of
aquaculture structures in the lake.
Introduction
Laguna de Bay is the largest and one of the most important lakes of the Philippines. It is also
among the largest lakes of Southeast Asia (Israel, 2007). The lake lies southeast of Metropolitan Manila in
the island of Luzon. It has a surface area of about 900 km 2 and a watershed area of 2,920 km 2. The lake
is shallow with an average depth of about 2.8 m. It is separate into four main bays: 1) West Bay, industrial
urban nearest to Metro Manila, 2) Central Bay, close to denuded hills, 3) East Bay, which rises steeply
towards a plateau, and 4) South Bay, which is mostly flat terrain (Delos Reyes, 1993).
Although the lake is a natural source with multiple uses, its dominant use is for aquaculture
which is the farming of fish (e.g. milkfish and tilapia) in the case of Laguna de Bay (Naylor, Williams &
Strong, 2001). Although aquaculture is already a developed industry in the lake, it is still facing numerous
problems, most especially ecological or environmental problems (Israel, 2007).
The lake is classified as Class C water, intended for fisheries, recreation and supply for
manufacturing processes (Cabading, 2008). The permissible range of pH for these waters is 6.5 to 8.5,
but pH values ranging from 7 to 8 are best for support and rearing of fish life. The minimum DO standard
for these waters is at 5 mg/L (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
Based on studies on aquaculture of Laguna de Bay (Israel, 2007; Pullin, 1981), there are
ecological problems that negatively affect the lake and its aquaculture its fish life and production. Some
of these are physico-chemical while others are biological in nature. The problems involving physicochemical parameters include the worsening of the water quality of Laguna de Bay. Sedimentation is also
known to have a negative effect on the lake and its aquaculture. The problems that are biological in
nature include the following: 1) occurrence of algal bloom, 2) proliferation of water hyacinths, and 3) the
invasion of invasive species. These problems are known to affect the survival and mortality of the fishes
inhabiting the lake (Israel, 2007).
Water quality can be tested using different physico-chemical parameters. These include the
chloride content, hardness, alkalinity, nutrient content, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen (DO)
measurements, temperature, pH, transparency and conductivity. Each of these parameters will be
measured and observed using specific methodologies (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
Sedimentation and depth will also be studied in relation to turbidity and living space of fish. The
shallow nature of a lake makes the sediments of the lake prone to mixing and stirring-up by the action of
winds and waves, which ultimately affects the lakes turbidity. A turbid lake has a lower production in terms
of photosynthesis which decreases the food production of aquatic photosynthetic organisms and

eventually reduce the food needed by the lakes fish species. This is related to the concept of food chains
in an aquatic ecosystem (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
The algae from the algal blooms, water hyacinths and invasive species will be studied through
sampling and collection from the lake. Algal blooms are known to occur when the nutrient load of the lake
is very high so the sampling will be done at certain periods of time. The effects of water hyacinths on
some physico-chemical parameters will be studied, as well as its effect on space. The invasive species
will be studied by collecting fish samples from the whole lake. Known species that have negative impacts
on the Laguna de Bay include the janitor fish (Pterydoplicthys disjunctivus), the clown featherback
(Chitala ornate), and the black-chinned tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron). These fish species are
known to compete for food and space against the local fish species of the lake (Guerrero, 2014).
The hypotheses of this study are the following: 1) mean values for most of the physico-chemical
parameters have fallen below the water quality standards described for Class C waters, 2) the
deterioration of water quality of the lake reflects the impact of wastes or pollution in the lake, 3)
sedimentation reduces the living space for the fishes, 4) algal bloom causes fish mortality because algal
bloom depletes the oxygen level for the fishes which causes death by asphyxiation, 5) the blue-green
algae Cyanobacteria when present can produce microcystins which are toxic to fish, 6) water hyacinths
cause fish mortality through crowding of the fishpens and fishcages which can cause destruction of these
structures and obstruction of navigation for the fishes, 7) accumulation of water hyacinths can decrease
the DO level of the water area, and 8) the proliferation of invasive species like the janitor fish causes
destruction of river banks and nets and contribute to the competition for food and habitat against the
aquacultured species (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994; Israel, 2007).
Study Objectives
The objective of this study is: 1) to identify the ecological problems of the Laguna de Bay that
affects its aquaculture, 2) to study each of these problems, and 3) to describe how these problems impact
the properties of the lake, and 4) to describe how these problems affect the aquaculture in the lake.
Materials and Methods
Water quality testing
Sampling sites will be selected in strategic areas of the East and West Bays. Collection will be
done monthly, for six years. Water samples will be collected at two depth levels: surface (30 cm below the
surface) and bottom (30 cm above the sediment leyer).
An improvised water sampler will be used in collecting samples. Samples for analysis of chloride,
hardness, and alkalinity will be placed in ice right after collection while samples for nutrient content and
chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyses will be fixed with 2-mL concentrated sulfuric acid per liter. The
improvised water sampler will also be used in collecting samples into 300-mL BOD bottles for DO
measurements. Two mL of manganous sulfate solution and two mL of alkaline azide solution will be
added immediately to these samples after collection. Temperature, pH, and transparency will be
measured in the site (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
Temperature will be measured using temperature loggers. Transparency will be measured and
analyzed using the Secchi disc method. A Portable pH meter will be used to measure and analyze pH
Dissolved oxygen will be measured and analyzed using a DO meter. A nutrient analyzer will be used in
measuring the nitrogen and phosphorous fractions. The EDTA titrimetric method will be used in
measuring total hardness. A titrimetric method will be used to measure alkalinity (Barril, Madamba &
Tumlos, 1994).
Chlorides occur widely varying concentration in all natural waters. The chloride content is directly
proportional to the mineral content, meaning it increases as mineral content increases. Chlorides will be

analyzed by observing its content and level in the water. A high level of chloride may be related to the
effluents containing industrial wastes, brine and sewage and other organic wastes. The bay (out of the
two bays observed) with a higher chloride level can mean a proximity to higher amount of effluent or
saltwater intrusion (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
Waters for fish culture must have a total hardness of at least 20 mg/L. Analysis of total hardness
will be focused on whether the hardness of the water is below or is equal to or greater than this value.
The difference between total hardness values of the West and the East Bay will be observed (Barril,
Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
The alkalinity of waters is due mainly to salts of weak acids and strong bases, which act as
buffers to resist drastic changes in pH. Natural waters with total alkalinity of 40 mg/L or more are
considered more productive than waters of lower alkalinity. This parameter will be analyzed by observing
trends (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
The chemical oxygen demand (COD) value indicates the concentration of materials that can be
oxidized by chemical reaction. This parameter indicates toxic conditions and the presence of biologically
resistant organic substances. This parameter will be analyzed by observing trends through time and per
location (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
The dissolved oxygen (DO) level is the major parameter used in water assimilative capacity. It is
a primary parameter for the suitability of water for fish life and production. The DO values will be analyzed
by comparing them to the standard DO value for Class C waters (5 mg/L).
Temperature will be analyzed by observing if it changes greater than 3C beyond the ambient
temperature for each month. These variations per unit time will be studied. Variations per location, i.e.
between the West and East Bays, will also be observed (Barril, Madamba & Tumlos, 1994).
Transparency will be analyzed in relation to turbidity and photosynthesis. A very low transparency
can result in an almost cessation of photosynthesis in lakes.
The pH values will be analyzed in terms of changes. The pH values will be compared to the
permissible range of pH for Class C waters. Variations will be observed per unit time and per location
(East Bay vs. West Bay).
Phosphorous fraction analyses are extremely important in the potential biological productivity of
surface waters. Different species of phosphates and their concentrations will be analyzed and compared
to the limit of total phosphorous of 0.025 mg/L. This limit is a general index of maximum desirable
concentration for total phosphorous in lakes and reservoirs.
The presence of nitrogen and phosphorous, especially in their oxidized states nitrates and
phosphates, is responsible for accelerating the alterations in the quality of lake waters, through
eutrophication. Different species of nitrates or nitrogen-containing compounds will be analyzed. Their
concentrations will be measured. Trends will be noted. Nitrate concentration will also be studied in relation
to algal concentration.
All these parameters will be analyzed in relation to how they affect the lake as an ecosystem for
aquacultured fishes mainly Chanos chanos (milkfish) and Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia). Water quality
in general will be studied as a major factor for fish life and production.
Sedimentation and depth
Depth will be measured using transect lines. Measurement of depth is significant in monitoring
the rate of siltation and turbidity. The sediments will be sampled and observed using a sediment corer.
The focus of this methodology is on how depth affects sedimentation and consequently the lakes turbidity
and clarity. The sedimentation will be analyzed in relation to the living space of the aquaculture fishes.

Algal blooms and their toxins

When present, algae from algal blooms will be collected using plankton nets. The samples will be
placed in sampling bottles and added with 40% formaldehyde solution before observation. Microscopes
will be used for observing the presence and morphology of algae, especially the blue-green algae
Cyanobacteria which is known to produce toxins. To test for toxicity, High Pressure Liquid
Chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrophotometry will be used. Microcystins, the toxins that
Cyanobacteria produce, will be isolated and identified (Cuvin-Aralar, Fastner, Focken, Becker, & Aralar,
2002).
The data analysis will be done through microscope observations. Presence and abundance of
algae per collection will be noted. The toxins will be analyzed after isolation.
Influence of water hyacinth
Sampling sites will be selected in the lake to compare two environments one accumulated with
water hyacinths and one without water hyacinths. At each of these locations, 10 sampling areas will be
randomly selected (with a total of 20 sampling areas). The temperature, pH and DO will be tested using a
temperature logger, pH meter and DO meter respectively. The data will be analyzed by comparing the
mean temperature, mean pH and mean DO levels between the site with water hyacinths and that without
water hyacinths. The spatial effects of water hyacinths will also be observed. The gathered information
will be related to the ecology of the aquacultured fishes in the lake (Araullo, 2001; Mironga, Mathooko, &
Onywere, 2012).
Identification of invasive fish species
Using equipment for fishing and a boat, fish will be collected from different parts of the lake. The
period of collection depends on how long it takes to sample the diversity of fishes of the lake. Per species,
2 or 3 samples will be collected and will be stored in aquaria. The samples will then be identified using
guides and comparison to the data on the macrofaunal diversity of the lake. Two or three samples per
species will be collected to find out if there are subspecies or varieties of a species. Based on the
macrofaunal diversity of the lake that was observed since 1970, local species (including aquacultured
species) and invasive species can be identified. The interaction and the effect of these invasive species to
the local or aquacultured species will be analyzed.
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