Philippine Journal of Science
149 (S1): 43-51, Special Issue on Nuclear S&T
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 17 Jun 2019

 

Sedimentation Patterns in Sorsogon Bay,
Philippines Using 210Pb

 

Efren J. Sta. Maria*, Jordan F. Madrid, Ryan Joseph Aniago, Anie Day DC. Asa,
Jennyvi P. Dayaon, Adelina DM. Bulos, and Elvira Z. Sombrito

 

Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI)
Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines

 

*Corresponding author: ejstamaria@pnri.dost.gov.ph

 

[Download]
Sta. Maria E et al. 2020. Sedimentation Patterns in Sorsogon
Bay, Philippines Using ²¹⁰Pb. Philipp J Sci 149(S1): 43–51.
https://doi.org/10.56899/149.S1.06

 

ABSTRACT

210Pb has been used as a tracer to give an insight into the sedimentation process occurring in Sorsogon Bay. The sedimentation process can provide the possible sources, movement, pathways, and sinks of sediments and sediment-associated materials (e.g., chemicals, pollutants) – which are important for a better understanding of the changes happening in the bay and its watershed. The information that will be derived can be used as an input parameter by other researchers doing modeling work (material/water/pollutant flow, movement, dispersion, and residence time dynamics) at Sorsogon Bay. Seven sediment cores have been collected in Sorsogon Bay to determine the 210Pb-derived sedimentation rate estimates across the bay. A sedimentation rate of 1 cm/yr could be estimated for the eastern, central, and western areas of Sorsogon Bay. Areas near Sorsogon City (SO-07), Cadacan River (SO-03), and the area offshore of Buenavista and Rizal (SO-06) have enhanced sediment deposition, which could be due to an area where enhanced erosion from human activities is apparent, proximity to a river system that drains/carries volcanic material and debris from Mount Bulusan, and near an open dumpsite where possible materials (wastes, debris, leachates) could be carried offshore respectively. The sedimentation rates are shown to be higher in the shallower areas of the bay.