Heavy Metal Concentration in Seawater at Villa Beach, Iloilo City, Philippines

This study was conducted due to the dearth of studies on heavy metals atVilla Beach, Iloilo City. It aimed to determine the presence and quantities ofavailable heavy metals specifically cadmium, chromium and lead in the watercolumn (surface, middle and bottom). Water physiochemical parameters weredetermined such as pH, salinity and temperature. Five sampling areas wereidentified in the shores of Villa Beach. One liter was collected in each layerof each sampling area for a total of 15 seawater samples and was immediatelytransported to the College of Arts and Sciences-Analytical Service Laboratory ofthe University of the Philippines Visayas, Miag-ao, Iloilo for the quantificationof heavy metals through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). The pH values range from 7.513-7.933, 10.6-11.566 ppm for salinity and 27.5-31.233 °C for five sampling areas. Average dissolved chromium and lead werehighest at station four with 0.545 mg/L and 0.771 mg/L, respectively. Averagecadmium was highest at station one with 0.021 mg/L. The mean of Pb > Cr >Cd < Pb in the water column of the five sampling areas but was not significant. Available cadmium, chromium and lead exceeded the permissive value set by DENR AO No. 34 (1990). This study provides information and awareness tothe public about the present available heavy metals in Villa Beach, Iloilo City. Keywords - Heavy metals, cadmium, chromium, lead, flame atomic absorptionspectrophotometry, Philippines