National Committee on Marine Sciences (NCMS)
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- In Silico supported nontarget analysis of contaminants of emerging concern: Increasing confidence in unknown identification in wastewater and surface watersAngeles, Luisa F.; Halwatura, Lahiruni M.; Antle, Jonathan P.; Simpson, Scott; Jaraula, Caroline M.B.; Aga, Diana S. (American Chemical Society, 2021-08-01)Nontarget analysis using liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) is a valuable approach in characterizing for contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the environment. In this study, wastewater and surface water samples from three locations in Manila, Philippines were analyzed for CECs using a nontarget analysis approach with an LC-Orbitrap. A previously optimized semiautomated workflow was used for data processing with Compound Discoverer. A total of 157 compounds were identified, with 21 confirmed with reference standards, 83 confirmed with evidence from a mass spectral library (mzCloud), and 53 tentatively identified using in silico fragmentation (MetFrag). These compounds include pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, antifungal, and antihypertensive compounds, human metabolites, natural products, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Compounds confirmed with reference standards include antibiotics ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, acetyl-sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim (2 to 19 ng/L), and antifungal compounds carbendazim and climbazole (3–47 ng/L). The pesticides diethyltoluamide (DEET) and diuron were also detected (37 ng/L). The utility of a preliminary multivariable linear regression quality structure-retention relationship (QSRR) model based on quantum chemical molecular descriptors is demonstrated. This study demonstrates the importance of using tools and software that are helpful for annotating HRMS data and reporting detections according to a standardized classification system. The detection of several CECs in wastewater and surface water samples show the importance of performing nontarget analysis in determining occurrence of CECs in the environment.We acknowledge support from the National Science Foundation PIRE-HEARD award number 1545756 and USAID PEER subaward number 2000009924. S.S. thanks the National Science Foundation (Award #1904825) for support of this research, and the Donors of the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (PRF-58954-UNI5). We also thank Shyrill Mae Mariano from the Marine Science Institute in the University of the Philippines − Diliman who helped with the sample collection and Rebecca Dickman from University at Buffalo for her help on technical work.
- The Lingayen Gulf (Philippines) experience: if we have to do it againTalaue-McManus, Liana; Eng, Chua Thia (Elsevier BV, 1997-01)The coastal management of the Lingayen Gulf represents a pioneering effort in the Philippines to manage a coastal area that is larger than small islands. After 4 years of research and plan preparation, implementation was initiated with the declaration of the Gulf as an environmentally critical area, and the establishment of the Lingayen Gulf Coastal Area Management Commission. An analyses of the organization and performance of the Commission provided major lessons for future initiatives in coastal management. Programs on law enforcement through punitive measures and vigorous public environmental education through the mass media are easy to implement, and have significant potential to create immediate positive impact among local communities. At the same time, a program on capacity building of management partners at all local governance levels, is crucial for long-term impact. Otherwise, programs on resource management and livelihood development, which require substantial technical inputs, cannot be appropriately implemented.
- Tides and currents in a two-inlet coastal lagoon: Laguna de Términos, MéxicoDavid, Laura T.; Kjerfve, Björn (Elsevier BV, 1998-08)Laguna de Términos, the largest coastal lagoon in México with a surface area of 2500 km2, is connected to the Gulf of México via two major ocean inlets. Fifty percent of the lagoon water volume is renewed every 9 days, mostly as a function of tidal exchange. Two month-long field measurement periods indicate that the tide is mostly mixed, mainly diurnal with a mean range of 0.3 m. In the tidal inlets, peak currents measure 1.3 m s-1, and are mostly mixed, mainly semidiurnal. Processes at tidal frequencies explain approximately 70% of the water level variability; and approximately 95 and 65% of the current variability in the inlets and inside the lagoon, respectively. The remaining low-frequency variability is attributed to meteorological forcing. The lagoon receives a mean freshwater discharge of 378 m3 s-1 from three rivers, but the inlets are still well mixed with only a weak gravitational circulation in one of the inlets. Measurements from a single tidal cycle in March 1995 indicate that the net fluxes of salt and suspended sediment during this period were directed towards the Gulf of México in both inlets, mostly as a result of advective dominance opposed by lagoon-directed tidal dispersion and vertical shear fluxes.
- Heavy metal fluxes in Bang Pakong River Estuary, Thailand: Sedimentary vs diffusive fluxesCheevaporn, V.; Jacinto, G. S.; San Diego-McGlone, M. L. (Elsevier BV, 1995-04)Estimates of the flux of heavy metals into the sediments (sedimentary flux) of Bang Pakong River Estuary and the diffusive flux of these metals across the sediment-water interface provide quantitative approximations on the movement of heavy metals from the water column into the sediments, and vice versa. Results showed higher sedimentary flux of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and Ni (0.1–16.8 μg cm−2 yr−1) relative to the diffusive flux of these metals (0.01–4.8 μg cm−2 yr−1). The percentage diagenetic contribution (ratio of diffusive flux to sedimentary flux) of these metals ranged from 10–91%. This suggests that diagenetic remobilization and release of these metals from the sediments into the overlying water may contribute to the subsequent redeposition of these metals into the sediments. Metal enrichment at the surface sediments when compared with deeper sections of the sediment may not necessarily be interpreted as evidence of recent natural, anthropogenic inputs alone, but may also be a consequence of the deposition of metals previously released from the sediments through diagenesis.
- 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.
- Microbial community structure and settlement induction capacity of marine biofilms developed under varied reef conditionsPadayhag, Blaire M.; Nada, Michael Angelou L.; Baquiran, Jake Ivan P.; Sison-Mangus, Marilou P.; San Diego-McGlone, Maria Lourdes; Cabaitan, Patrick C.; Conaco, Cecilia (Elsevier, 2023-08)Coral larval settlement relies on biogenic cues such as those elicited by microbial biofilm communities, a crucial element of coral recruitment. Eutrophication can modify these biofilm-associated communities, but studies on how this affects coral larval settlement are limited. In this study, we developed biofilm communities on glass slides at four sites with increasing distance from a mariculture zone. Biofilms farthest from the mariculture area were more effective at inducing the settlement of Acropora tenuis larvae. These biofilms were characterized by a greater proportion of crustose coralline algae (CCA) and gammaproteobacterial taxa compared to biofilms from sites closer to the mariculture zone, which had a greater proportion of cyanobacteria and no CCA. These findings suggest that nutrient enrichment due to mariculture activities alters the composition of biofilm-associated microbiome at nearby reef sites and indirectly causes poor coral larval settlement.
- BFAR Administrative Circular No. 256: Series of 2015. Declaring malachite green and gentian violet as health hazards and prohibiting their use in food fish production and trade.(Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 2015-02-12)This Circular, consisting of 25 Sections divided into seven Chapters and one Annex, prohibits the use of malachite green and gentian violet in all stages of aquaculture production of fishery and aquatic products intended for human consumption and the distribution for commerce of fishery and aquatic products derived from aquaculture containing traces of the dyes. It shall be unlawful for any person to: 1) Use malachite green or gentian violet in the aquaculture production of food fish; 2) Produce, handle or process for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce fish or fishery product bearing or containing malachite green or gentian violet; and, 3) Import into the Philippines or export fish or fishery product bearing or containing malachite green or gentian violet. Any importer, exporter, aquaculture/farm operator, or distributor found violating any of the provisions of this Circular shall be subject to the following administrative sanctions: a) for the first offense, suspension for three months of the registration as importer, exporter, aquaculture/farm operator or distributor; b) for the second offense, six-month suspension of the registration; and, c) for the third offense, revocation of the registration and delisting.
- 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.