Physico-chemical and biological characteristics of water and sediment in the mariculture zone park of Sto. Tomas, La union

Mariculture Park Program launched by DA-BFAR in the early 2000 primary aimed to promote sustainable supply of food, ensure job generation, and strengthen local development. In La Union, one of the two mariculture parks established is the Sto. Tomas MZP situated in Sto. Tomas Cove, Sto. Tomas, La Union. Formally launched in October 2002 with 60 HDPE fish cages maintained, the MZP has been a source of significant volume of quality milkfish. This study was designed to assess the effect of the mariculture activity on water quality and sediment. Specifically, it aimed to determine the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water and sediment in MZP Sto. Tomas and correlate water and sediment parameters with chlorophyll and phytoplankton. Samplings were conducted in the three established stations in MZP Sto. Tomas from February to May 2020. Water quality parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH, ammonia, nitrite, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, fecal and total coliform count, chlorophyll, and phytoplankton density and composition) were analyzed for three months and sediment quality (color, organic matter, phosphorous, potassium, moisture content, pH, arsenic, mercury, lead, mercury) was analyzed for one month. Results showed spatial and temporal variability among selected water quality and no spatial variability among sediment quality from different stations. Of the twelve physico-chemical and biological parameters, ten passed the Philippine Standards. Twenty-eight species belonging to five phytoplankton groups were recorded. Sediment quality of the MZP Sto. Tomas is within range of the different International environmental standards. Correlation analysis revealed significant differences (p>0.05) in phytoplankton density and temperature, and strong correlation between temperature and chlorophyll. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES