A Comparative Study of Marine

Macrobenthos Biomass and Physicochemical

Analysis of Cancabato Bay, Philippines
Añover, Anne Pauline T., Bulusan, Marjorie R., Garnace, Lorei Felisse L.
Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus
annepaulineanover@gmail.com, marjoriebulusan1@gmail.com, loreigarnace@gmail.com


Escalating anthropogenic activities has caused adverse
effects to various bodies of water. Macroinvertebrate
communities respond to a wide range of environmental
stressors. Thus these are often used as bioindicators of
environmental condition. This study will evaluate and compare
the water quality for Cancabato Bay by analysing marine
macrobenthos communities’ biomass and its relationship to
pollution and disturbance. Sediment and water samples were
obtained from the eight sampling sites that were established in
the littoral and limnetic zones of the bay during dry season. The
macroinvertebrate attributes, physicochemical parameters, and
particle size distribution of sediments were measured. The
lowest conductivity measured was 35.7ms/cm, pH was 5.9, and
salinity was 22.8 ppt. These measurements do not meet the
threshold values optimal for a marine community to thrive.
Seventy-five percent of sediment samples had a particle size
<63m, which is indicative of sediment pollution. Biological
components of the eight sites were dominated by the genera of
gastropods Anadara, Anomalocardia and Sermyla, this study
aims to show the distribution of marine macrobenthos and to
correlate Shannon-wiener index (H') to water quality
parameters such as, water temperature, dissolved oxygen,
conductivity and pH. The biodiversity assessment showed a
positive relationship with the physicochemical parameters and
particle size distribution. The results demonstrate that
Cancabato Bay has unfavourable water condition that poses a
serious threat to marine habitat.
Index Terms— macroinvertebrates, water pollution,
biological assessment, bioindicator, marine biodiversity
I. INTRODUCTION
Over the last century, estuary and coastal water pollution
has been established as a global crisis in the natural
environment because anthropogenic and lithogenic
sources release a substantial volume of pollutants into
estuaries and coastal waters. Critical dangers for the health
of aquatic organisms and human beings root from most of
these pollutants, and they cause environmental crises in
aquatic ecosystems, like reduction of biodiversity, wide
spread of exotic and invasive species, contamination of
water, fecal coliform contamination, eutrophication, anoxia,
bioabsorption, and bioaccumulation. The continual
discharge of pollutants needs comprehensive evaluation of
organic and inorganic pollutants and their ecological
repercussions to be able to establish management policies
for preserving ecologic condition and biologic communities
in aquatic and coastal waters [3].
Aquatic pollution is principally due to industrial,
domestic, and agricultural waste disposals. Effluents from
the industries producing dangerous trace metals and
organic toxicants, constitute a threat to the marine
ecosystem. Because of bioaccumulation capacity, trace
metals are classified as priority pollutants among a sizable
mass of toxic substances disposed in water through human
activates. Even though some trace metals are significant to
humans, their presence in superfluous amounts may be
toxic. Within the environment, these metals can interrupt
the marine ecosystem and human health. Hence, to
preserve extant marine species and to protect marine life
from greater destruction, particular valid monitoring
procedures must be formulated. One of the authentic
monitoring procedures in water health assessment is the
utilization of bioindicators, but determination of the degree
of aquatic pollution can further be analyzed through
contaminant analysis of trace metals [13].
Cancabato Bay is known to be the main source of fish for
the fisher folks in Tacloban City. In Tacloban City there are
16 barangays surrounding the bay and was previously
declared to be an aquaculture area in 2003 by the
Sanggunian ng Bayan. After the typhoon Haiyan, the fisher
folks observed that they caught fewer fishes. According to
the Philippine Statistics Authority, in 2013, the volume of
production of commercial fisheries was 14,350.63 metric
tons, but after the typhoon [4], the volume of production
of commercial fisheries became 6,926.75 metric tons.
Moreover, the value of production in 2013 was P1, 007,
338.92, and in 2014, it became P519, 946.90. These
statistics shows significant decrease not only in the
production but also in the in-come of the fisher folks.
The water quality regulation is commonly tackled by
monitoring multiple parameters in water, sediment and
responsive organisms. This regulation is concentrated on
physicochemical and, less commonly, on biological
variables. The distribution of numbers of individuals among
species and the distribution of biomass among species in
marine macrobenthic communities show a differential
reaction to pollution-induced agitations. The measurement
of changes in the structure of marine communities is
widely used for the detection and monitoring of man's
impact on the sea [10]. The biological parameters are
considered important components of water quality
because they are direct measures of the condition of the

1
biomass and they uncover problems undetected or
underestimated by other methods. Such criteria may
potentially provide measurements of the progress of
restoration efforts [11].
This study focuses on studying Cancabato Bay to
determine the pollution and disturbance in Cancabato Bay
that can aid in achieving safe water resource and protecting
the diversity of the aquatic ecosystem. Based on the
different studies reviewed, using bioindicators, trace metal
determination, and physicochemical analysis for water
quality assessment provide accurate and expansive results
collectively. Thus, the study used marine macrobenthos as
bioindicators, and conduct trace metal determination and
physicochemical analysis in order to evaluate the condition
of Cancabato Bay in a more extensive and accurate manner.
The findings of this study serves as baseline knowledge to
explain the current situation of Cancabato Bay.
Physicochemical analysis, sediment analysis, specifically,
water content analysis and particle size distribution
analysis, and marine macrobenthos identification were
conducted from the samples taken from Cancabato Bay
during the dry season. The data collected from identifying
macrobenthos samples and analyzing sediment and water
samples were utilized to evaluate the condition of
Cancabato Bay by the means of Canonical Correspondence
Analysis and biotic indices.
II. METHODOLOGY
A. Collection of Samples
1. Water Sample
The samples were collected from the eight sites in
Cancabato Bay and various physico-chemical
parameters such as temperature, pH, DO, TSS and
salinity were measured using the digital multimeter.
2. Sediment Sample
Sediment samples were collected using the van veen
grab. There were 2 replicates of sediment samples that
were collected. The samples were transferred to a 0.5
um screened sieve bucket and were rinsed and washed
with ambient sea water. All the sediments samller than
0.5 um were washed through the screen leaving the
remaining sediment on the screen. The samples
retained on the screen after washing were carefully be
placed in a container washed by distilled water.
3. Macrobenthos samples
Macrobenthic samples were also collected using the
van veen grab and at each site 2 replicates of
macrobenthos were collected. The samples were placed
in a bucket prefilled approximately half full with a
preservative consisting of a 10% seawater formalin.
B. Sediment Analysis
The sediment samples were rinsed through a stack of 1
and 0.55 mm sieves and the residues fixed in 4% buffered
formalin. The samples collected were used to evaluate the
2
sediment’s particles size, water content, marine
productivity system (total nitrogen and total phosphorus),
total organic carbon (TOC), and trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu,
Zn, Ni Co).
C. Calculating Biotic Indices
1. Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP)
The BMWP score is the sum of the values for all
families present in the sample [1]. BMWP will
determine the tolerance of the macrobenthos identified
towards pollution.
2. Average Score per Taxon (ASPT)
The Average Score per Taxon (ASPT) will determine the
average sensitivity of the families of the organisms
collected and will be calculated by dividing the BMWP
score by the number of taxa present [1].
3. Biomass
The biomass of the macrobenthic samples will be
calculated by obtaining the dry weight of each sample
[5]. These samples of one species and one transect (0.45
m) will be dried for 3 to 5 days at 60° C in a well-
ventilated stove. They will be weighed, placed for 2 hours
in a furnace at 600° C, and weighed again. The weight
loss at 600° C is considered to represent the ash-free dry
weight (ADW) of the macrobenthos and is used as a
measure for their biomass.
4. Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index
It will determine the distribution of taxa (biotic
diversity) of the samples collected within the
community. It will be calculated using the formula in (1).
5. Menhinick’s Index
This measure of species richness is known as D, and it
will be measured using the formula in (5).
6. Pielou’s Evenness Index
Pielou’s Evenness Index is a measure of the
distribution of individuals among the different taxa. It
will be measured using the formula in (3).
7. Abundance
Abundance will be calculated to determine how
common or rare a species is relative to other species in
the sampling sites of Cancabato Bay. It will be measured
using the formula (2).
8. A Marine Biotic Index (AMBI)
AMBI will assess the environmental impacts or fore-
casting different anthropogenic activities, proposing
measures to minimize impact. It will be measured by the
formula in (4).
D. Canonical Correspondence Assessment & Comparative
Analysis
Using the species and environmental findings, canonical
correspondence analysis (CCA) will be utilized to exhibit
the most essential correlation trends in the relationships of algal bloom [12]. Hence, the abundance of this genus
the macrobenthos and the environmental variables. indicates the presence of water pollutants.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Macroinvertebrate Community
There were 23 genera that were identified from the 4
sampling sites, with 9 groups of cone snails, and 14 groups
of bivalves. The three dominating genera of the 4 sampling
site were: Cerithium with 63 organisms, Anadara with 51
organisms, and Glycymeris with 47 organisms. Anadara and
Cerithium is a genus highly associated with high levels of
trace metals and organic matter, hence, their abundance
can indicate sediment contamination & trace metal
pollution. Glycymeris feed on phytoplankton and algae,
thus its abundance indicates the abundance of these
organisms. The abundance of algae indicates the presence
of polluted water with chemical substances that induce this
Cerithium is a genera highly associated with high levels
of trace metals and organic matter, hence, their abundance
can indicate sediment contamination and trace metal
pollution. Anadara are used as bioindicators since they
accumulate heavy and trace elements from water, and
sediments from food, or food, hence their abundance
indicates pollution. Glycymeris feed on phytoplankton and
algae; hence, with its abundance, it is deducible that
phytoplankton and algae are abundant in the waters. The
abundance of algae indicates the presence of polluted
water with chemical substances that induce this algal
bloom, which indirectly causes problem to aquatic
ecosystem such as eutrophication. Hence, the abundance
of this genre indicates the presence of polluted water [6],
[7].

Table I. Physicochemical parameters of the sampling sites

Site No. Salinity Conductivity DO pH Zone Secchi Depth Water Temperature
ppt ms/cm mg/L o
C
1 28.5 37.7 7.62 6.89 Limnetic 3 ft 29.77
Littoral 1 ft 8 in 29.5
2 22.8 36.7 6.94 5.99 Limnetic 3 ft 8 in 30
Littoral 2 ft 2 in 29.67
3 24.8 35.7 7.71 5.75 Limnetic 4 ft 3.5 in 29.87
Littoral 2 ft 4 in 30
4 27.3 44.1 7.34 6.71 Limnetic 4 ft 30
Littoral 1 ft 8 in 31
Table II. Sediment Particle Size Distribution Analysis
Physico-chemical Analysis of the Water would, in general, be perceived by the public as decreasing
the water quality, especially if the designated uses were
In analysing the physicochemical parameters of each domestic or industrial water supply, or recreation [8].
site, we were able to identify that the value of the varying
physicochemical parameters, such as DO, salinity, The optimal values of conductivity and salinity in marine
conductivity, water temperature, and secchi depth were waters, is 50-150 ms/cm and 33-37 ppt, respectively [2].
within the recommended standard values of the Fondriest Conductivity levels of the sampling sites varied from 35.8-
Environmental Incorporated [2], whereas a few values of 44.8 ppt. As seen on table I, all the sites had conductivity
pH were beyond this recommended standard. The standard levels within the permissible limits for these parameters.
range of pH is 6.5-8. As shown on Table I, the pH levels of The collected data may be due to the location of sampling,
sites 2 & 3, which are 5.99 and 5.75, are lower than the considering that the water samples were taken close to the
recommended values. This has negative indications, as a seafloor.
general increase in acidity in the ocean results to changes,
such as, reduction of biodiversity of all structural elements, The amount of DO measured, varied from 6.89-7.74 .all
and microflora and destruction processes are inhibited. of these values are within the optimal range, which is 7-
11mg/L, except for the DO in site 1, which has a dissolved
All of the sites had water temperatures that are within oxygen of 6.89mg/L (Refer to Table I) adequate dissolved
the normal range for the ocean’s water temperauture. The oxygen is necessary for good water quality. Dissolved
site with the lowest secchi depth is both site 1 of the oxygen is absolutely essential for the survival of all aquatic
littoral zone and site 4 of the littoral zone, having a secchi organisms as once the dissolved oxygen levels in water
depth of 1 foot and 8 inches. Increasing the concentrations drop below the optimal level, aquatic life is put under
of color, algae, or erosional materials (inorganic turbidity) stress. The lower the concentration, the greater the stress;
sufficiently to decrease water clarity, thus lowering the thus, the low DO of site 1 may possibly indicate that
secchi depth, aquatic life in this site is put under stress [9].

Sample ID Weight
Site No. Zone 500 250 64 <64

3
 Initial Actual % Actual % Actual % Actual %
Weight weight weight weight weight
1 Limnetic 38.235 19.109 49.978 11.516 30.119 6.031 15.774 0.538 1.407
Littoral 43.332 24.344 56.180 7.682 17.728 2.757 6.363 1.034 2.386
2 Limnetic 25.397 3.044 11.986 2.603 10.249 16.146 63.574 1.810 7.127
Littoral 17.816 0.273 1.532 0.312 1.751 9.775 54.866 7.452 41.828
3 Limnetic 14.459 0.013 0.090 6.118 42.313 6.845 47.341 1.481 10.243
Littoral 29.099 7.179 24.671 6.805 23.386 12.189 41.888 2.925 10.052
4 Limnetic 29.915 0.755 2.524 5.835 19.505 15.909 53.181 5.262 17.590
Littoral 38.974 1.675 4.298 12.499 32.070 21.805 55.948 0.411 1.055

Sediment Analysis

The site with sediments mostly composed of the largest

particle size (500 micrometer) is site 1 of the littoral zone, Equations
comprising 56.180% of the initial weight of the sample. On (1) Shannon-Weiner Index
the other hand, the site with sediments composed of the Where H equals the Shannon’s diversity index, S
least amount of sediment of the afore-mentioned size is represents the total number of
site 3 of the limnetic zone, comprising 0.090% of the species in the community, pi
sample’s initial weight. Moreover, the site with the most represents the proportion of S
sediments of the smallest particle size (<64 micrometer) is up to the ith species, and EH
site 2 of the littoral zone, being 41.828% of the initial for the equitability or evenness (Magurran 2004).
weight of the sample.

Conversely, the site with the least sedi-ments of the

same size range is site 4 of the littoral zone, being 1.005%
of the initial weight of the sediment (2) Abundance
sample (Refer to table II). The sediments of the smallest Where I is the
size belong to the fraction of clay and silt. This sediment index, C is the number
fraction is a primary carrier of adsorbed chemicals or biomass caught at a station, a, is the area swept at a
(especially phosphorus, chlo-rinated pesticides and most station, n is the number of strata and w is the stratum
metals), which are transported by sediment into the weight.
aquatic system. Thus, it indicates that site 2 of the littoral
zone of Cancabato Bay is the site mostly polluted with the
said chemicals.

(3) Pielou’s Evenness Index

IV. CONCLUSION Where H’ is the Shannon-
Wiener Index and S is total
The results demonstrate that Cancabato Bay has
number of species or taxa. This value can be
unfavorable water condition that poses a serious threat to
interpreted as a comparison of the actual diversity in
marine habitat as suggested by the identified marine
the sample to the potential diversity if every individual
macrobenthos, physicochemical analysis, and sediment
belonged to a different taxon. (Beisel, 2003).
analysis. Findings of the study may serve as a measurement
for the progress of the restoration efforts of Tacloban City
on the Cancabato Bay. Hence, these data ought to help
raise awareness on the condition of Cancabato Bay, and
enable the LGU to realize possible projects for the
(4) A Marine Biotic
maintenance of the bay.
Index (AMBI)
With EG I being the
disturbance-sensitive species, EG II the disturbance-
indifferent species, EG III the disturbance-tolerant
species, EG IV the second-order opportunistic species
and EG V the first-order opportunistic species [14].

4

(5) Menhinick’s Index
Where s equals the number of different species
represented in your sample, and N equals the total
number of individual organisms in your sample
(Okpiliya 2012).
D = s √N
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