Impacts of coconut oil mill pollution on Tigbao river in Tacloban City

Date

1998

Abstract

The study focused on the assessment of the impacts of industrial wastes dumped by a coconut oil mill into Tigbao River in Tacloban City. Specific objectives were to : 1) identify the major pollutants discharged by the oil mill; 2) determine the impacts of pollution on water quality and diversity of the macroinvertebrates in the river; 3) assess the perceptions on the socio-economic impacts of pollution to the communities who use the resource; and 4) recommend mitigation measures to minimize the adverse environmental effects of the industrial wastes discharged by the oil mill.Water and macroinvertebrate samples were collected from : upstream Palanog River (Station 1), upstream Salvacion River (Station 2); before the outfall of the oil mill (Station 3), and downstream of the outfall (Station 4). Water samples were analyzed of the following physico-chemical characteristics: temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), oil and grease (O and G), total suspended solids (TSS), substrate type, depth, width, and flow. Water quality values were compared to standards specified by DENR DAO 34 series of 1990. Diversity indices of the macroinverterbrate samples were computed using the Shannon-Weaver Mean Diversity formula. The survey research method and descriptive statistics were used to assess the perceptions of the socioeconomic impacts of pollution. Based on the DENR water quality standards, waters in the two upstream stations (1 and 2) were still clean but areas near the oil mill outfall (stations 3 and 4) were already polluted. The presence of just one species of mollusk in

34 station 3 and the absence of the river have occurred. Loss of fishing as a livelihood was also noted because of the occurrence of fish skills in the river and the nearby bay since the oil mill started its oil milling operations in the area.Perceived positive socioeconomic impacts of the oil mill include : 1) added income of residents through employment in the oil mill; b) revenues for the city government through taxes paid by the oil mill. It is recommended that : a) DENR must work for the formal classification of Tigbao River, b) DENR must ensure that the oil mill operates its wastewater treatment facilities by conducting periodic and unannounced monitoring more often; c) DENR must see to it that oil mill activities match those specified in its permit to operate and impose penalties once it is caught violating these conditions; d) DENR shoul monitor all industries along Tigbao River and compel them to install waste treatment facilities; and e) government agencies working in the area should coordinate and conduct environmental education for both owners of industries and community residents regarding the proper use and conservation of the river. For the oil mill management, the suggestions are : 1) reduce solid wastes by using thoroughly dried, clean copra as raw material; 2) recycling of the soap and water used in its cleaning operations; 3) sweeping or dusting of premises/equipments prior to washing; and 4) always operate its wastewater treatment facilities

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Environmental Science

College

School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM)

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 995 1998 E8 D39

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