The physico-chemical and biological characteristics of Dipolog bay

The present status of Dipolog Bay was assessed at three selected sites and two substations (nearshore and offshore). The physico – chemical and biological characteristics of seawater were determined from the water samples of the three stations from March to May 2016. Data on total coliforms, fecal coliforms, heterotrophic plate count, total suspended solids, nitrates, phosphates, as well as the physico-chemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH and temperature were collected and analyzed. The results showed that some of the physico-chemical and biological parameters were significantly correlated with each other with higher values and may attribute to the wastes or effluents that come from household sewage, industrial and agricultural activities. The presence of pollution-tolerant coliforms indicate that Dipolog Bay is deteriorating and does not fit for human utilization thus requires proper treatment and soothing measures. Moreover, Dipolog Bay does not qualify for Class coastal water criteria suitable for fishing, commercial purposes and tourist zones, and for Class recreational water class 1 (areas for bathing, swimming, skin diving, boating, etc.) based from the DENR standards.