Metals in the Sediments and Waters of Cagayan de Oro River: Baseline Data for Metal Determination

This study generated baseline data on the metal content of the Cagayan de Oro River. The river stretch covered was from Balulang to Estuary. The whole area was divided into three sampling stations. Sampling was conducted once a month for a period of three months. The metals considered in this study were lead, copper, cobalt, cadmium, manganese, zinc, iron, chromium, and nickel. These metals were analyzed through flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The two-way ANOVA was used to test any significant differences in levels of concentration of metals among sampling stations and periods. The findings of the study reveal that in the water samples, a significant difference in the levels of concentrations of lead, cobalt, iron, manganese, and chromium existed considering the sampling period while no significant difference in the levels of concentrations of all metals existed considering the sampling stations. In the sediment samples, a significant difference was observed in the levels of concentrations of lead, copper, and cobalt considering the sampling periods while no significant difference was observed in the levels of concentration of iron and nickel. Given the water and sediment quality standards, the concentration level of nickel in the water samples exceeded the limit while the concentration level of copper in the sediment sample was at the critical level.

 

Keywords - metal determination, water, sediments, Cagayan de Oro River.