This study evaluated heavy metal (HM) contamination in sediments from the Malbasag River in the Ormoc City port, Leyte, Philippines. A total of thirty sediment samples were collected randomly from ten locations along the river using an Ekman grab sampler. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry revealed HM concentrations in the order of Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd. All HMs exceeded their sediment quality guideline (SQG) thresholds except for Mn. Contamination was assessed using indices such as the contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (I_geo), and enrichment factor (EF). The CF values indicated “moderate to considerable” contamination for Zn, Ni, and Cd, while Cu and Pb showed “very high” contamination levels. The PLI results indicated severe sediment degradation in 20% of samples. The I_geo analysis classified 60% of the samples as “heavily to extremely polluted” for Cd, Cu, and Pb. EF analysis suggested that anthropogenic sources contributed to elevated HM levels, including port activities and agricultural runoff. Ecological risk index (RI) analysis revealed moderate risk in 40% and considerable risk in 20% of sampling locations. Multivariate analyses suggested significant anthropogenic contributions to HM contamination, highlighting the need for further studies to assess the ecological impacts.

Background: Microplastics (MPs) less than 5 mm in size were detected in marine water, which is promoting growing research interest beyond the marine environment into soil, freshwater, and drinking water. This study investigated the presence and characteristics of MPs in water samples from Visayas State University beach, Pangasugan, Leyte. Methods: Samples (n=20) were collected from 20 sites based on spatial variation. MPs were isolated via density extraction and filtration, identified under a microscope, and analyzed chemically using FTIR. Results: The average contamination level was 132.5 items/L. MPs were categorized by shape, color, size, and polymer type, with fibers (62%) being most prevalent, followed by fragments and pellets (9.4%). Black (24.5%) was the most common color. Identified polymers included ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), PA (polyamide), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Conclusion: Given the direct exposure of aquatic ecosystems to this contamination, further studies are recommended to assess health risks, offering crucial baseline data for future research.

This study evaluated heavy metal (HM) contamination in sediments from the Malbasag River in Ormoc City Port, Leyte, Philippines. A total of thirty sediment samples were collected randomly from ten locations along the river using an Ekman grab sampler. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry revealed HM concentrations in the order of Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd. All HMs exceeded sediment quality guideline (SQG) thresholds except for Mn. Contamination was assessed using indices such as the contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and enrichment factor (EF). The CF values indicated “moderate to considerable” contamination for Zn, Ni, and Cd, while Cu and Pb showed “very high” contamination levels. The PLI results indicated severe sediment degradation in 20% of samples. The Igeo analysis classified 60% of the samples as “heavily to extremely polluted” for Cd, Cu, and Pb. EF analysis suggested that anthropogenic sources contributed to elevated HM levels, including port activities and agricultural runoff. Ecological risk index (RI) analysis revealed moderate risk in 40% and considerable risk in 20% of sampling locations. Multivariate analyses suggested significant anthropogenic contributions to HM contamination, highlighting the need for further studies to assess the ecological impacts.

Rivers play a vital role in sustaining biodiversity, livelihoods, and ecological balance across regions. This study examined the aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna, along with physicochemical water quality parameters of the Bhairab River in the Jashore area during the wet (July–September 2023) and dry (January–March 2024) seasons. Cypriniformes were the most dominant fauna, comprising 45% and 28% of species in the wet and dry seasons, respectively, while Alismatales were the most prevalent flora, accounting for 42% and 57% across the same periods. Mean values of temperature, pH, turbidity, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) showed seasonal variations, with the highest values recorded as 31.8 °C (July), 7.68 (February), 785 NTU (July), 145 mg/L (March), 6.5 mg/L (July), and 1.95 mg/L (January), and the lowest values as 22.5 °C (January), 7.16 (July), 486 NTU (January), 115 mg/L (August), 4.5 mg/L (March), and 1.39 mg/L (July). The study identified industrial discharge, human encroachment, agricultural pesticide use, urbanization, and domestic activities as major contributors to the degradation of water quality, leading to a decline in fish availability and aquatic biodiversity. The findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable river management strategies to protect aquatic biodiversity and improve water quality in the Bhairab River.