Philippine Journal of Science
153 (1): 375-390, February 2024
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 28 Sep 2023
Nutrients and Heavy Metal Contents on Surface of Agricultural Soils in the Flood-plains of Taft River Basin Impacted by Bagacay Mines, Philippines
Jessie R. Sabijon1*, Venecio U. Ultra Jr.2, Marcos E. Bollido1, Mikee B. Openiano1, Derby E. Poliquit1, Reynaldo R. Aquino1, Eduardo G. Espejon Jr.1, Zaldee Nino D. Tan1, and Feleciano R. Bejar1
1Northwest Samar State University San Jorge Campus, San Jorge, Samar 6707 the Philippines 2Department of Earth and Environmental Science, College of Science, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye 10071 Botswana
*Corresponding author: jessie.sabijon@nwssu.edu.ph
Sabijon J et al. 2024. Nutrients and Heavy Metal Contents on Surface of Agricultural Soils in the Flood-plains of Taft River Basin Impacted by Bagacay Mines, Philippines. Philipp J Sci 153(1): 375–390. https://doi.org/10.56899/153.01.32
ABSTRACT
The accumulation of heavy metals above permissible limits due to mining activities has created toxicity problems in soil. This study characterized the concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals of surface soils in the floodplains along the Taft River basin affected by the post-operation of Bagacay Mines. Surface soil samples were collected in the different agricultural areas of the floodplains along the Taft River basin. Soil samples were processed and analyzed for nutrients and heavy metal contents such as pH and EC (electrical conductivity), organic matter (OM), total N, available P and exchangeable K, and titanium (Ti), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), respectively. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo), the contamination factor (Cfi), and the pollution load index (PLi) were used to evaluate the degree of heavy metal contamination in soils. Results showed that the soils were acidic (ave.: 5.13) and saline (ave.: 962.5 dS m–1) with moderate OM (ave.: 9.24%), high exchangeable K (ave.: 69.82 mg kg–1), and low total N (ave.: 0.56%) and available P levels (ave.: 6.99 mg kg–1). The soil was found to be moderately to highly contaminated with heavy metals. As per Igeo, soils were moderately to highly contaminated by heavy metals, with decreasing order as Ti > Cr > Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > As > Pb > Mo > Cd. On the other hand, the Cfi values showed moderate to high contamination of Cu > Cr > Pb > As > Zn > Ni > Mn > Ti > Mo > Cd. The PLi revealed deterioration and high pollution in agricultural soils. This study recommends implementing suitable rehabilitation strategies for the contaminated soils to facilitate proper utilization for crop production.