EFFECTS OF THE LOWEST CHEMICAL TOXICITY OF BUED RIVER ON

Oreochromis niloticus

Biado, Elian S.
Cabuenas, Michael Luke D.
Del Prado, Jonathan Paul P.
Fajardo, Quiann Gabrielle R.
Ignacio, Lorjone A.
University of Baguio Science High School

INTRODUCTION

Aquaculture is the practice of raising fish, mollusks, marine organisms, in all compatible
bodies of water. Aquaculture raises about more than a hundred species globally, for the past two
decades no other area has such an increase in food production. Despite that aquaculture has
matched conventional catch-fishing in recent years, providing around 90 million tons of fish,
mariculture cannot surpass the quality of marine fisheries; as the fish in ocean farms are often
carnivorous and feed on wild-caught fish (Bickerton, 2017). Thus, it is vital that people look
inland, towards freshwater fish. An example of this is tilapia that belongs to the cichlid family
which is plant-eating, and they engage in a low input system. Tilapia is now considered to be the
third most essential fish in aquaculture, supplying around 1.5 million metric tons per year.
(Bickerton, 2017). Water is neutral - it is neither an acid nor a base, but the more salt you
dissolve in water, the more basic it becomes. Freshwater contains less than 0.05% salt, or less
than 1% salt by some definitions (Wood, 2008). Fresh waters naturally contain chemicals
dissolved from the soils and rocks over which they flow. The major inorganic elements include
calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbon, chlorine, and sulfur as well as plant nutrients,
such as nitrogen, silicon, and phosphorus. Organic compounds derived from decaying biological
materials may also be present. In addition, nearly all fresh waters contain some human-made
compounds, such as pesticides and other industrial and consumer products (Water Encyclopedia,
n.d).

Literature Review
The name tilapia refers to several species of mostly freshwater fish that belong to the
cichlid family. Although wild tilapia is native to Africa, the fish has been introduced throughout
the world, and 135 countries now farm the fish. It is an ideal fish for farming because it does not
mind being crowded, proliferates and consumes a standard vegetarian diet. These qualities
translate to a relatively inexpensive product compared to other types of seafood. The benefits and
dangers of tilapia depend primarily on differences in farming practices, which vary by location.
China is by far the world's largest producer of tilapia. They produce over 1.6 million metric tons
annually and provide the majority of the United States' tilapia imports (Pearson, 2017).
Commercial feeds are used more often in the culture of Nile tilapia, especially during
periods of high turbidity and low phytoplankton production in Laguna Lake to optimize the

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benefits derived from this food source, the study was conducted to determine the feeding
periodicity and daily ration of Nile tilapia in cages (Richter H, Focken U, Becker K, Santiago CB
& Afuang W. 1999).
Since the culturing of Tilapia is a crucial matter, preserving this source of food is a must.
There are factors which can affect the culturing of these fish. Some elements can be toxic to fish
in specified amounts. The study would significantly contribute to knowing which elements
present in the river would be toxic towards the fish if ever they would increase in amount.
The constant development of tilapias by the public sector breeding institutions in terms of
quality (e.g., improvement in size, carcass quality) has put up to the higher need for tilapia
products in the marketplace. Research studies found that tilapia has become an essential food in
the diet of Filipinos with the decrease in the consumption of milkfish, round scad (known locally
as "galunggong") and other native freshwater fishes (Edwards, 2006).
Bued River needs improved preservation effort to provide a sustainable water supply to
the areas it traverses. Bued River's conservation and protection will also help to protect the
image of Kennon Road - one of the vital roads that connect Baguio City to the rest of the country
and among the city's most famous landmarks. Precisely as the different water forms and
watersheds in Baguio City that have acquired public support and government agencies are asking
support in order to conserve Bued, which is now being threatened with problems on irresponsible
disposal of solid wastes, wanton discharging of toxic chemicals, and forest degradation. Bued
River is the primary source of water for agriculture and aquaculture and supports industrial
activities such as quarrying and small-scale mining downstream, especially along parts of Tuba,
Benguet (Cadalig, 2007).
The Bued River is an identified resource conservation concern of the Cordilleras. The
river faces a growing strain on water quality and quantity caused by pollution and open land use
practices. In response, the research aimed to map the sources of pollution and open land use
practices. The data gathering procedure included field works, interview, observation, and
documentation. With a georeferenced base map, structures and land use affecting the river is
being digitized. The project coverage was divided into sixty-two (62) sectors, each measuring
three (3) by five (5) kilometers. Ground truthing protocols and pollution source database will
develop in the study. GIS spatial analysis and statistics revealed the rate of land use change and
characterization and location of pollution sources. Spatial analysis techniques include polygon
operation, table operation, data retrieval, cross operation, buffer, and map overlay. The result of
the study provided a tool in developing governance and serves as a basis for policies concerning
the conservation of Bued River (Lubrica, 2013).

Conceptual Framework and Paradigm of the Study

Bued River is one of the essential rivers on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It
covers the provinces of Benguet, Pangasinan, and a few parts of La Union primarily. The Bued
river originates from the city of Baguio and connects with the Angalacan River in the towns of
Mangaldan, Pangasinan to form the Cayanga River. The headwaters of Bued River form in the
southeastern portion of Baguio Citybarangays. It then traverses the municipality of Tuba along
the foot of the Santo Tomasmountain range, where several tributary creeks join the river. The
river enters the municipality of Sison upon reaching barangay Dungon, where the river becomes
silted. The river enters the town of San Fabian upon reaching the barangay of Ambalangan-
Dalin, then traverses the town of Pozorrubio, Pangasinan along barangay Balacag. It reaches San

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Jacinto along barangay Santa Cruz and enters the town of Mangaldan upon reaching the
barangay of Biagtan, where it merges with the Angalacan River to form the Cayanga River.
Bued River is heavily silted dredged. It has been the drainage of mine tailings from copper and
gold mines in Tuba, Benguet. Landslides along Kennon Road, including quarrying
and aggregates crushing plants in riversides release silt and sand into the river.River ecosystems
are currently exposing to various stressors. Among them, elements may contribute to the overall
pollution of aquatic environments.
The cultivation of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) can be dated down to the ancient
Egyptian times as depicted on a bas-relief from an Egyptian tomb dating back over 4000 years,
which showed the fish held in ornamental ponds. While the significant worldwide distribution of
tilapias, primarily Oreochromis mossambicus, occurred during the 1940s and 1950s, distribution
of the more popular Nile tilapia happened during the years 1960s up to the 1980s. The Nile
tilapia that originated from Japan was introduced to Thailand in 1965, and from Thailand, they
were forwarded to the Philippines. Nile tilapia from Cote d'Ivoire was established to Brazil in
1971, and from Brazil, they were sent to the United States in 1974. In 1978, Nile tilapia was
inaugurated to China, which dominates the global market in tilapia production and regularly
produced more than half of the global production in every year from 1992 to 2003. Besides,
studies on nutrition and cultivation systems, along with market improvement and processing
advances, led to the blistering increase of the industry since the mid-1980s. Various species of
tilapia are cultivated commercially, but Nile tilapia is the predominant cultured species
worldwide (Abdel-Fattah, & El-Sayed, 2006).
Young red tilapias were vulnerable for 96 h to each one of 6 concentrations of the
pesticide Diazinon in order to determine the pesticide's lethal concentration. After the finding out
of the toxicity level (LC50) at 96 h, a level 10 times lower was chosen for the bioaccumulation
study of the pesticide in male and female specimens exposed for nine days. The elimination
process was carried out for ten days starting right after the ending of the gathering process.
Analytical processes were developed and used for the studies of lethal concentration and
gathering of Diazinon in red tilapia. A toxicity level [LC50 (96 h)] of 3.85 mg/L was found, and
steady-state accumulation, at a level of 28.45 mg/kg, was reached at 7.72 days. In the elimination
procedure, a level of 0.29 mg/kg was discovered in tilapia's flesh on the sixth day after the fish
were proceeded to clean water, and it continued to lessen fast toward nondetectable
concentrations (Palacio, Henao, Vélez, González,&Parra CM, 2002)
Lately, Boron (B) contamination of a river in the ecosystem has received considerable
critical attention due to its lethal effects at high levels on plants and animals. Previous researches
on lethal effects of B have not experienced DNA discrepancies in blood and sperm cells of Nile
tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), along with blood restrictions. The research consisted of two
following experiments purposes to determine these results, including the median-toxicity level
(LC50) of B for Nile tilapia. In the initial one, at 96 h, LC50 of B for Nile tilapia was
141.42 mg L-1 B. In the second one, Nile tilapia were treated with five elevated B concentrations
(1, 5, 25, 50 and 100 mg L-1 B) and hematological, serum biochemical parameters, and DNA
destruction of Nile tilapia in these treatments were found out to compare with the manipulation
after 2 weeks of vulnerability. Hematological restrictions (red blood cell count, hematocrit, and
hemoglobin) were comparable to each other in all categories while serum biochemical
specifications (glucose, total protein, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic
transaminase, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase) in B medical treatments, especially in 50 and
100 mg L-1 B groups, were found importantly higher (P < 0.05). DNA fragmentation was

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recognized in all blood cells in 25 mg L-1 B treatments, while all sperm cells in 100 mg L-1 B
treatments. These results demonstrated the adverse effects of B at high concentration (50 and
100 mg L-1 B) on the DNA integrity of blood and sperm cells, and also the serum biochemical
parameters (Acar, İnanan, Zemheri, Kesbiç,& Yılmaz, 2018).
Fingerlings tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed in laboratory conditions to a
range of Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) levels separately and the
mortality rate was registered after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Static bioassays calculated median Lethal
Concentrations (LC50s) and Median Lethal Times (LT50s) values for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h with
the 95% trusted parameters viaProbit analysis. LC50 and LT50 ranked up with the decrease in
mean exposure times and levels, correspondingly. The LC50s in 96 h for Cu, Cd, Zn, and also Pb
were 1093, 3751, 16177 and 1494 μg L-1, correspondingly and the LT50s for highest level
utilized for Cu, Cd, Zn, as well as Pb were 20.25, 11.48, 20.70 and 24.66 h, correspondingly.
Metals bioconcentration in tilapia fish increases with exposure to increasing levels, and Cu was
the most lethal to tilapia fish, The toxicity ranking of the four heavy metals was Cu>Pb>Cd>Zn.
Comparison of LC50 values for studied heavy metals for this species with those for other fishes
reveals that tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) is equally or less sensitive to heavy metals than
most other tested fishes (Abdulali Taweel, M. Shuhaimi-Othman, and A. K. Ahmad, 2013).

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Least lethal concentration of chemical Effects of toxicity in Oreochromis

elements in Bued river. niloticus

MEDIATING VARIABLES

 Temperature
 Number of fish
 Type of toxic compounds

Figure 1: Paradigm of the Study

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Significance of the Study
This study aims to help the community identify the possible effects that chemical toxins
have to the different living organisms. It will also increase the awareness that even the smallest
amount of chemical components may have a high level of impact on an organism. This will also
help future researchers in assessing the status of the bodies of water.

Objectives of the Study

This study aims to attain the following objectives:
 To identify the chemical component with the lowest toxicity level in Bued River
 To Assess the possible effects of the chemical component on Oreochromis niloticus

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Design
Systematic Review will be used to get the data because a lot of methods and procedures
will be strictly followed to get the data correctly and safely. The ANOVA will be used to
compare the data of different groups that would be used.

Data gathering Tools

Chemical water quality test kits will utilize for measuring various substances in water.
Water Quality Test kits range from easy-to-use, single parameter color comparators to large
portable laboratories with advanced instruments for fast, accurate results in the field or labs. A
TDS meter is a piece of portable equipment utilized to identify the Total Dissolved Solids in a
solution, usually liquid. Since the incorporated ionized solids, like salts and minerals, level up
the conductivity of a solution, a TDS meter quantifies the conductivity of the solution and
estimates the TDS from that reading.

Data Gathering Procedures

Gathering Water Grab Samples in Field (1) Water samples gathered from the Bued river
undergoes analysis for a variety of parameters which may change yearly depending on present
program necessities. The laboratory conducting the analysis may require additional unique
collection processes for some specifications. (2) Using a marker, label each sample container
with the date, time, and site number (3) Record the lab sample kit number on the Data Sheet. (4)
Gather water samples before stirring up the stream or wetland bottom, or collect samples
upstream of disturbed water. For rivers and streams, gain samples (choosing OPTION 1 or 2,
below, as appropriate) while standing on the edge of water or a rock. If this is not possible,
extend upstream as far as possible to avoid accumulating agitated water. For wetlands, gather
samples (using OPTION 3, below) by canoeing or carefully wading into the wetland if feasible.
(5) If sampling trace metals, use disposable gloves. (6) Avoid holding the inner portion of the
sample bottles or caps. (7) OPTION 1 (suggested for hard-substrate and regular-flow streams) (a)
Hold uncapped bottle upside down and submerge it. (b) Tip the bottle upright and allow water to

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fill the bottle. (c) Eradicate bottle from water and screw on the lid. (8) OPTION 2 (suggested for
soft-sediment and low-flow streams) (a) Use a large, clean container to collect water. (b) Rinse
container in stream water three times. (c) Collect stream water. (d) Fill smaller containers with
water from a large container. To make sure even mixing of sample water, gently swirl the water
in the large container each time before water is decanted into a more compact container. (9)
OPTION 3 (wetlands) (a) Use a clean long-handled plastic dipper and wide-mouth plastic
mixing jug to collect water from a standing position or canoe. (b) Thoroughly rinse mixing jug
and dipper three times with sample water. (c) Fill mixing jug using a long-handled dipper to
accumulate water from just beneath the surface. In well-mixed open water areas having enough
depth, water may be collected by directly submerging the mixing jug. Avoid accumulating
floating organic material by carefully clearing an opening in any surface film using the closed
end of the dipper. Replace the cover of mixing jug and transport back to the truck in upright
position. (d) Add smaller containers with water from mixing jug. To make sure even mixing of
sample water, gently swirl the water in mixing jug each time before water is decanted into a
smaller container. (10) If sampling trace metals, dispose of gloves in the regular garbage. (11)
Store and transport samples in cooler with ice. (12) Complete lab chain of custody sheet. (13)
Drop off samples at the lab at the end of the day or early the next morning (store samples in the
refrigerator overnight) with lab chain of custody sheet. If any parameters have a short (e.g., 24
hour) holding time, make sure to deliver the samples within that time frame (Danielson, 2014).
All staff and field personnel who will collect water grab samples will have a training
session to familiarize themselves with the constituents of this procedure.
The fish will be exposed to the test substance preferably for four days. Deaths are
recorded at one, two, three and four days and the concentrations which kill 50 percent of the
tilapia (LC50) are determined where possible. One or more species may be used, and the choice
is at the preference of the testing laboratory. Not less than seven fishes must be utilized at each
test concentration and in the controls. The test substance should be managed to, at least, five
concentrations in a geometric series with a factor preferably not exceeding 2.2. The limit test
corresponds to one dose level of 100 mg/L. This study includes the observations of fish at least
after one, two, three and four days. The cumulative percentage of death for each exposure period
is plotted against concentration on logarithmic probability paper.

Treatment of Data
The treatment design to be used in the experiment is discrete treatment. That is because
the experiment will be looking for the relationship, i.e. toxicity. Once the data is obtained,
ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) will be used to determine if there is a relationship between the
Least lethal concentration of chemical elements in Bued river to the in Oreochromisniloticus.

Ethical Considerations
Human subjects are not involved in this research. Consents are needed to fully inform of
all information relevant to the activity for which consent is sought, in his or her native language,
or through another mode of communication. Throughout the method of experimentation, the
researchers are guided and can be watched over by the authority of laboratory personnel
to certify the right protocols and procedures done to confirm the protection of everybody and
make sure no one will get hurt.

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tilapia farming: a challenge to rural development. Fish for the People, 6(1), 18-25.

Richter H, Focken U, Becker K, Santiago CB and Afuang W. (1999). Analysing the diel feeding
patterns and daily ration of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), in Laguna de Bay,
Philippines. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 15: 165-170.

Bickerton, P. (2017). Aquaculture and tilapia: a fish that may tip the balance. Retrieved January
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