Integrating selected physicochemical properties with toxicity scoring data using DarT assay in assessing the quality of local water samples

Monitoring and maintaining water quality are essential for ensuring water quality for public health and environmental protection. Currently, the Philippines follows specific monitoring standards to evaluate the quality of water bodies. However, the current physicochemical properties primarily focus on individual pollutants. This can create a gap in understanding their potential biological and cumulative effects on aquatic organisms and ecosystems. In this study, possible biological effects of water samples were determined using the <i>Danio rerio</i> Teratogenic assay (DarT) and were correlated with selected physicochemical parameters. Water samples were collected from five sampling points along the Taytay River and nearby tributaries during the dry season. Physicochemical parameters were measured and analyzed. The malformations were observed and scored based on a malformation index, after which, the toxicity score was calculated. This dataset includes raw and processed values of malformation endpoints, toxicity scores, and corresponding physicochemical measurements. It enables the evaluation of water quality assessment using both biological effects and the corresponding physicochemical measurements. The dataset can provide valuable reference data for future studies on aquatic toxicity of local water samples. This study can also be useful in highlighting the potential application of the DarT assay for a more holistic approach to water quality monitoring.