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Towards integrated management of a shallow tropical lake: assessment of water quality, sediment geochemistry, and phytoplankton diversity in Lake Palakpakin, Philippines

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Abstract

The limited carrying capacities of shallow tropical lakes render them more vulnerable to ecological problems like eutrophication. Unregulated human activities such as unsustainable aquaculture and urbanization can alter ecosystem dynamics rapidly, and this warrants more comprehensive researches than what has been previously conducted. Here, we presented an integrated assessment of the nutrient dynamics, phytoplankton diversity, and sediment geochemistry in Lake Palakpakin, a shallow tropical lake of volcanic origin, to understand its deteriorating ecological state. Water, phytoplankton, and sediment samples were collected, and in situ water quality measurements were done during wet and dry seasons in four critical areas in the lake, namely, the inlet, center, sanctuary, and outlet. Results revealed that high light extinction coefficient (1.13 m−1), high turbidity (28 NTU), high phosphate concentration (> 2.0.5 mg/L), and the abundance of Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena helicoidea, and Lyngbya sp. indicate that from a relatively healthy lake in 2008, Lake Palakpakin has become a eutrophic to hypereutrophic freshwater body. High concentrations of available nutrients such as N and P were detected in the center and sanctuary sediments, which drive the internal nutrient loading in the lake. We recommend that management efforts be directed towards a whole-ecosystem approach in addressing the problem of eutrophication, especially in shallow tropical lakes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank FARMC (Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council) Chairman Fernando “Pando” Espallardo and his family for their help in the field. We thank Carissa Quintana, Nathaniel Ragas, and Dr. Ma. Aileen Leah Guzman for their help during the field work.

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the University Research Council of Ateneo de Manila University. G.P. Dicen was supported by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute Career Incentive Program in this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, 1108, Quezon City, Philippines

    Ian A. Navarrete, Teresita R. Perez, Shinelle M. Mendoza, Clarissa T. Rivera & Rene Juna R. Claveria

  2. College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science, Southern Leyte State University, 6608, Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, Philippines

    Ian A. Navarrete

  3. Agriculture Research Section, Atomic Research Division, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, 1101, Quezon City, Philippines

    Gerald P. Dicen, Roland V. Rallos & John Leonard R. Labides

  4. Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines-Manila, Padre Faura, 1000, Manila, Philippines

    Arnold V. Hallare

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  1. Ian A. Navarrete
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Navarrete, I.A., Dicen, G.P., Perez, T.R. et al. Towards integrated management of a shallow tropical lake: assessment of water quality, sediment geochemistry, and phytoplankton diversity in Lake Palakpakin, Philippines. Environ Monit Assess 191, 485 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7617-7

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