National Committee on Marine Sciences (NCMS)
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- Potential of sediment bacterial communities from Manila Bay (Philippines) to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE)Gomez, Norchel Corcia F.; Onda, Deo Florence L. (Springer, 2022-12-24)The persistence of plastics and its effects in different environments where they accumulate, particularly in coastal areas, is of serious concern. These plastics exhibit signs of degradation, possibly mediated by microorganisms. In this study, we investigated the potential of sediment microbial communities from Manila Bay, Philippines, which has a severe plastics problem, to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Plastics in selected sites were quantified and sediment samples from sites with the lowest and highest plastic accumulation were collected. These sediments were then introduced and incubated with LDPE in vitro for a period of 91 days. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy detected the appearance of carbonyl and vinyl products on the plastic surface, indicating structural surface modifications attributed to polymer degradation. Communities attached to the plastics were profiled using high-throughput sequencing of the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Members of the phylum Proteobacteria dominated the plastic surface throughout the experiment. Several bacterial taxa associated with hydrocarbon degradation were also enriched, with some taxa positively correlating with the biodegradation indices, suggesting potential active roles in the partial biodegradation of plastics. Other taxa were also present, which might be consuming by-products or providing nourishment for other groups, indicating synergy in utilizing the plastic as the main carbon source and creation of a microenvironment within the plastics biofilm. This study showed that sediment microbes from Manila Bay may have naturally occurring microbial groups potentially capable of partially degrading plastics, supporting previous studies that the biodegradation potential for plastics is ubiquitously present in marine microbial assemblages.We would like to acknowledge the Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Section of the Conservation and Development Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources—National Capital region for allowing us to conduct field work in LPPCHEA. As well as local government units of Brgy. Bucana in Ternate, Brgy. Bucana Malaki in Naic, Brgy. San Rafael III in Noveleta, and Brgy. Baseco in Manila for allowing us to conduct field work and sample collection. We would also like to acknowledge the Marine Research Center under the Marine Environmental Protection Command of the Philippine Coast Guard for providing assistance during one of our fieldworks. Members of the Microbial Oceanography Laboratory for helping during field works. And to Daniel John E. Purganan and Justine Marey S. Bitalac for helping us obtain CLS micrographs.
- Attachment of potential cultivable primo-colonizing bacteria and its implications on the fate of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics in the marine environmentBitalac, Justine Marey S.; Lantican, Nacita B.; Gomez, Norchel Corcia F.; Onda, Deo Florence L. (Elsevier, 2023-06-05)Plastics released in the environment become suitable matrices for microbial attachment and colonization. Plastics-associated microbial communities interact with each other and are metabolically distinct from the surrounding environment. However, pioneer colonizing species and their interaction with the plastic during initial colonization are less described. Marine sediment bacteria from sites in Manila Bay were isolated via a double selective enrichment method using sterilized low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets as the sole carbon source. Ten isolates were identified to belong to the genera Halomonas, Bacillus, Alteromonas, Photobacterium, and Aliishimia based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, and majority of the taxa found exhibit a surface-associated lifestyle. Isolates were then tested for their ability to colonize polyethylene (PE) through co-incubation with LDPE sheets for 60 days. Growth of colonies in crevices, formation of cell-shaped pits, and increased roughness of the surface indicate physical deterioration. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed significant changes in the functional groups and bond indices on LDPE sheets separately co-incubated with the isolates, demonstrating that different species potentially target different substrates of the photo-oxidized polymer backbone. Understanding the activity of primo-colonizing bacteria on the plastic surface can provide insights on the possible mechanisms used to make plastic more bioavailable for other species, and their implications on the fate of plastics in the marine environment.
- Moving towards open data, public access, and information sharing to combat marine plastics pollution in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian regionAlindayu, Ricardo C.; Licnachan, Lance Oliver C.; Luzadas, Ramgem L.; Ignacio, Paul Samuel P.; Onda, Deo Florence L. (Elsevier, 2023-09-01)Despite the consistent tagging of countries in Southeast Asia as among the top polluters of plastics in the oceans and the increasing local literature documenting the presence and abundance of plastics in marine environments, there still lacks a comprehensive, open, and accessible repository for marine plastics pollution data in the region. As such, this study presents the development of the PlastiCount Pilipinas portal in line with the call for a common data repository by the Philippines’ National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter and the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States. A total of 14 existing databases were reviewed to identify key features for the online portal implemented to promote ease of access and diversified functionality. For the database, a total of 38 publications, 2 reports, 1 scientific poster, and 3 baselining studies were used to develop the initial ground-truthed baseline for marine plastic pollution, covering 23 provinces and 14 regions across the Philippines. The challenges presented by an observed variation across different methodologies and reporting styles emphasize the critical need to harmonize methods toward generating a more refined national baseline for marine litter. The initial baseline data and other resources such as manuals, information sheets, photographs, news, and publications are uploaded onto a public online portal for viewing and download (https://plasticount.ph/). Data and resource submissions from the public are also accepted and considered for inclusion in the database. The insights gained from developing the online portal and database for the Philippines can be used to inform the development of a regional database for Southeast Asia towards reducing marine litter.
- Accumulation and exposure classifications of plastics in the different coastal habitats in the western Philippine archipelagoGomez, Norchel Corcia F.; Cragg, Simon M.; Ghiglione, Jean-François; Onda, Deo Florence L. (Elsevier, 2023-11)Studies consistently ranked the Philippines as one of the top contributors of plastic wastes leaking into the ocean. However, most of these were based on probabilities and estimates due to lack of comprehensive ground-truth data, resulting also in the limited understanding of the contributing factors and drivers of local pollution. This makes it challenging to develop science-driven and locally-contextualized policies and interventions to mitigate the problem. Here, 56 sites from different coastal habitats in the western Philippine archipelago were surveyed for macroplastics standing stock, representing geographic regions with varying demography and economic activities. Clustering of sites revealed three potential influencing factors to plastic accumulation: population density, wind and oceanic transport, and habitat type. Notably, the amount and types of dominant plastics per geographic region varied significantly. Single-use plastics (food packaging and sachets) were the most abundant in sites adjacent to densely populated and highly urbanized areas (Manila Bay and eastern Palawan), while fishing-related materials dominated in less populated and fishing-dominated communities (western Palawan and Bolinao), suggesting the local industries significantly contributing to the mismanaged plastics in the surveyed sites. Meanwhile, isolated areas such as islands were characterized by the abundance of buoyant materials (drinking bottles and hygiene product containers), emphasizing the role of oceanic transport and strong connectivity in the oceans. Exposure assessment also identified single-use and fishing-related plastics to be of “high exposure (Type 4)” due to their high abundance and high occurrence. These increase their chances of encountering and interacting with organisms and habitats, thus, resulting into more potential harm. This study is the first comprehensive work done in western Philippines, and results will help contextualize local pollution, facilitating more effective management and policymaking.
- End war on nature(Concept & Information Group, Inc., 2021-09-20T03:52:15Z)Ending the “war on nature” must be part of global recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message for World Oceans Day. The annual commemoration is a reminder of the major role oceans have in everyday life as “the lungs of our Planet” and as a source of food and medicine. Although this year’s theme focuses on their importance for the cultural and economic survival of communities worldwide, the Secretary-General cited a recent report which confirmed that many of the benefits oceans provide are being undermined by human activity.
- Green sea turtle dies after ingesting plastic straw, nylonLacson, Nonoy E. (Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation, 2021-02-25)A female Green Sea Turtle died shortly after it was rescued by Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) of Guipos and Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Barangay Kabatan, Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur. Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) Ben Acana said Tuesday, Feb. 23 the sea turtle was discovered trapped last week inside a fish pen by Alberto Gratol, a local fisherman in the village who reported it to CENRO Guipos and BFAR.
- Sen. Villar lauds DENR for efforts to help clean and save Manila Bay via solar-powered Sewage Treatment Plant(Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., 2020-11-15)Recognizing the importance that Manila Bay serves for Filipinos, Senator Cynthia A. Villar underscored the importance of a Sewerage Treatment Plan (STP) to help clean and save the bay. This was in response to the plan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to build the solar-powered Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Baywalk area in Malate, Manila. The STP, which is capable of catching and treating 500,000 liters of wastewater per day from the drainage outfalls of Padre Faura, Remedios, and Estero de San Antonio Abad, was inaugurated last July 30 by DENR Secretary Frank Cimatu and MMDA Chair Gen. Danilo Lim.
- Balloons, sky lanterns harm the environmentGamboa-Amante, Kitty (The Manila Times Publishing Corporation, 2019-01-10)The spectacle of the symbolic releasing of balloons and night sky lanterns is, without a doubt, a beautiful sight to behold and has become increasingly popular at festivals, weddings and other celebrations across the world. For Filipinos, the event is oftentimes symbolic and can even be observed in occasions such as burials. But after traveling for long distances and falling to the ground or waters, the burn-out and plastic remnants from the lanterns and balloons may not only litter the earth and seas, but can also hurt livestock and marine animals.