Journal of Environmental Science and Management 9(2):31-40 (December 2006 )

ISSN 0119-1144

Heavy Metal and Microbial Analyses of Janitor Fish

(Pterygoplichthys spp.) in Laguna de Bay, Philippines
Hannibal M. Chavez, Elvira A. Casao, Eunice P. Villanueva, Madeleine P. Paras,
Marites C. Guinto and Marilou B. Mosqueda

Abstract

Janitor fish (Pterygoplichthys spp.) and water samples were obtained from the three sampling
stations in Laguna de Bay (central, east and west bay) for heavy metal and microbial analyses during
the dry and wet season. Results revealed that cadmium and chromium were not detected in the water
samples. Copper concentration of water samples during the dry season in Taguig for west Bay
(0.0767 mg/L) and Jala-jala for central Bay (0.097 mg/L) exceeded the limit of 0.05 mg/L for Class
C waters. The fish flesh obtained from the three sampling stations had lead concentration ranging
from 0.0573mg/kg to 0.1900 mg/kg (wet weight). Arsenic, cadmium, chromium and mercury in fish
flesh were not detected during the dry season, but present at low concentrations during the wet season.

The total bacterial and coliform count of water samples differed in the three sampling
stations. The total bacterial count in fish flesh in the three sampling stations were 800 to
5,650,000 cfu/g during the wet season and from 200,000 to 2,230,000 cfu/g during the dry
season. Coliform were present in all sampling stations (22 to >1,600MPN/g).

Keywords : Laguna de Bay, janitor fish, Pterygoplichthys spp. introduced species, heavy
metal concentrations, microbial analyses

INTRODUCTION

Laguna de Bay, comprising a total area of 90,000
ha is considered the second largest lake in Southeast
Asia. The most important use of Laguna de Bay is its
fishery resource (Laguna Lake Development
Authority 1974). The Laguna de Bay watershed
area has 5,009 industrial and agricultural
establishments whose wastes directly or indirectly
empty into the lake (LLDA 2005). Heavy metals are
among the waste products discharged into the lake.
The increasing input of wastes from industries and
domestic sources, agricultural run-off and soil erosion
in the watershed contribute to the rapid decline in
lake’s water quality. Likewise, the concentrations of
heavy metals and sediments in Laguna de Bay and
some tributary rivers show some signs of industrial
pollution (LLDA 1987; Barril 1990; LLDA 2005).
Microbial contamination of the lake has exceeded
the prescribed limit for Class C waters (Barril 1990).
Two species of janitor fish (Pterygoplichthys
pardalis and Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) which
initially thrived in the lake due to escapement from
ponds had an impact on the environment which favored
their establishment. The complex environmental
problems of the lake, particularly increasing
wasteloads from industrial activities, increasing nutrient
wasteloads from domestic households, expanded
agricultural and livestock production and intensive fish
pen operations favored the growth and proliferation
of these species. Their proliferation can be attributed
to the following: their ability to tolerate poor water
quality, easily adaptable to even the harshest conditions,
and being omnivores and bottom feeders as they can
eat any food available in the environment. In 2002,
LLDA reported that janitor fish comprised 10-38%
of the total fish corral catch in Siniloan, Laguna.
32 Heavy metal and microbial analyses of Janitor Fish (Pterygoplichthys spp.)
At present, a significant population of janitor fish
has been observed by the fishermen along the
shorelines of Laguna de Bay (Siniloan, Jala-Jala,
Binangonan and Taguig) and along the Marikina river.
The rapid increase of this species has affected the
livelihood and fishing operation of the fisherfolk which
led to a decrease in marketable catch of endemic and
commercial fish species due to its predominance in
gill net and fish corral catch. Some fishermen have
even tried to cook and eat the fish not knowing its
adverse effect on their health. The determination of
heavy metals and microbial content of janitor fish
and water, would aid in the evaluation of the effect of the
environment on the janitor fish. Results of the study
are essential in determining seasonal variation of heavy
metal concentrations and microbial content in fish and
water; and in ascertaining whether the concentration
of heavy metals and microbial content of janitor fish
is within acceptable limits for human consumption
and its wise utilization.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three sampling stations covering four sites were
established in Laguna de Bay. After a preliminary
investigation of the area, the sampling sites chosen
were Siniloan, Laguna for east bay, Binangonan,
Rizal and Taguig, Metro Manila for west bay and Jala-
Jala, Rizal for central bay (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Sampling sites of the study.
in Laguna de Bay, Philippines
These sites were selected due to the presence and
proliferation of janitor fish. Samples of janitor fish and
water were obtained from the study sites from March
to May 2004 for the dry season and July to November
2004 for the wet season.
Physico-chemical Parameters
The determination of physico-chemical
parameters such as air and water temperature, water
depth, turbidity, pH, nitrite, dissolved oxygen and
salinity was done in situ in each sampling site.
Temperature was measured using a laboratory
thermometer, turbidity using a Secchi disk, pH using
a pH meter and nitrite using a Hack kit. The salinity
measurements were done using a refractometer and
dissolved oxygen was measured using a YSI D.O.
Meter.
Heavy Metals
Water Samples
One liter water samples were collected using a
Kemmerer water sampler. Surface water samples
below 20 cm were obtained. Middle and bottom
samples were collected from the water column and
near the lake bottom, respectively. Water samples
were kept in a refrigerator at 4oC after acidification
with 1.5 ml nitric acid.
Fish Samples
Live janitor fish samples 50 g to 1550 g size for
the dry season and 100 g to 560 g size for the wet
season were caught in the fish corral from the four
sampling sites. Ten samples of fish per site were
degutted, fish flesh were removed and ground using
an osterizer. A 300 g homogenized fish flesh was taken
for three replicates, and refrigerated until frozen.
The frozen fish flesh and acidified water samples
were brought to University of the Philippines - Natural
Science Research Institute (UP-NSRI), Research and
Analytical Service Laboratory in Diliman, Quezon City
for heavy metal analyses using the methods in Table 1.
Journal of Environmental Science and Management Vol. 9. No. 2 (December 2006)
Table 1. Methods of analysis for metals in water & fish.
Metals Methods of Analysis
Water
a. Arsenic Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, by
Hydride Generation (APHA et al. 2001)
b. Cadmium & Lead Anodic Stripping Voltametry (APHA et
al, 2001)
c. Chromium, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, by
Copper & Zinc Flame (APHA et al. 2001)
d. Mercury Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, by
Cold Vapor Technique (APHA et al.
2001)
Fish
a. Arsenic Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, by
Hydride Generation (APHA et al. 2001
& AOAC 2002)
b. Cadmium, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, by
Chromium, Copper, Flame (APHA et al. 2001 & AOAC
Lead & Zinc 2002)
c. Mercury Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, by
Cold Vapor Technique (Bouchard 1973)
Microbial Analyses
Water and Fish Samples
One hundred ml water samples collected from
the surface of the four sites during the dry and wet
season were kept cool and brought immediately to
the South Harbor Laboratory for microbial analyses.
The fish samples were brought immediately to
the South Harbor Laboratory for microbial analyses.
A 200 g homogenized flesh sample per sampling
station for two replicates was used for the analyses.
Microbial analyses of water samples included total
bacterial count (TBC), total coliform count, and E.coli.
For fish flesh samples, microbial analyses included
total bacterial count, total coliform, S. aureus, E.
coli, Salmonella and Shigela based on the procedures
described by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (1995).
Statistical Analysis
Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to determine the
significant differences in the concentrations of heavy
metals in water, fish flesh and physico-chemical
parameters among the four sampling sites in relation
to seasonal variation (dry and wet season) using the
statistical package, SPSS version 11.5.
RESULTS
Heavy Metals in Water
Table 2 presents the mean concentrations of
heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper,
33
lead, mercury, and zinc) in the water samples.
Cadmium and chromium were not detected in the
water samples collected in the four sites during
the dry and wet season. Arsenic, mercury, zinc and
lead, concentrations although detected, were still
within the limit set by Department of Environment
and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 34.
(1990). Copper concentration of water samples
(0.0767 mg/L and 0.097 mg/L) during the dry season
and (0.13 mg/L and 0.0767 mg/L) during the wet
season in Taguig and Jala-Jala , respectively, exceeded
the limit of 0.05 mg/L for Class C waters. Low
concentrations of copper during the dry and wet
season was observed in Siniloan (0.033mg/L and
0.0274mg/L) and Binangonan (0.026mg/L and
0.0127mg/L), respectively.
The comparison of concentrations of heavy metals
in water samples among the four sampling sites during
the dry and wet season is shown in Table 3. During
the dry season, the four sampling sites had significant
differences in lead concentration in the water (P<0.05).
The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium,
copper, lead, mercury, and zinc in the water during the
wet season were not significantly different among the
four sampling sites (P>0.05).
Heavy Metals in Fish
The most dominant fish caught in the fish corrals
were janitor fish. During the dry season, almost all of
the fish samples collected were gravid females with
eggs. Table 4 shows the mean concentrations of heavy
metals in janitor fish. Arsenic, cadmium, chromium
and mercury were not detected during the dry season.
However, during the wet season, these heavy metals
were detected at low concentrations. Lead concentration
in fish flesh collected in the four sites during the dry
season ranged from 0.0600 mg/kg to 0.1900 mg/kg
(wet weight). The concentrations were slightly higher
than fish flesh collected during the wet season with
values of 0.0573 mg/kg to 0.0933 mg/kg (wet
weight) which were below the standard limit set by
Fisheries Administrative Order No. 210 (2001).
The comparison of concentrations of heavy metals
in fish flesh among the four sampling sites during the
dry and wet season is shown in Table 5. Results
showed that there was a significant difference in the
concentration of zinc in fish flesh among the four
34 Heavy metal and microbial analyses of Janitor Fish (Pterygoplichthys spp.)
in Laguna de Bay, Philippines

Table 2. Mean concentrations of trace metals in water samples collected during the wet and dry
season in the east, west and central bays of Laguna de Bay.

Sampling As, mg/L Cu, mg/L Pb, mg/L Hg, mg/L Zn, mg/L
Stations/Sites
Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet
1. East Bay
Siniloan 0.00127 0.00067 0.033 0.0274 NDb ND ND ND 0.583 0.0227
2. West Bay
Binangonan 0.0026 0.0016 0.026 0.0127 NDb 0.00197 ND 0.000253 0.0503 0.0453
Taguig 0.0032 0.00073 0.0767 0.13 0.017a 0.0267 0.00053 ND 0.096 0.1377
3.Central Bay
Jala-jala 0.0037 0.0005 0.097 0.0767 NDb 0.01 0.0003 0.0001 0.12 0.0807
*Standard for
Class C Waters mg/L 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.002 2.0

* DAO No. 34. 1990 ND – Not Detected ND for Cd and Cr

Table 3. Comparison of concentrations of heavy metals in water samples among the four sampling
sites during the dry and wet season.
Dry season Wet season
Heavy Metals p – value * Significance p – value * Significance
at P<0.05 at P<0.05
As .149 ns .522 ns
Cd 1.0 ns 1.0 ns
Cr 1.0 ns 1.0 ns
Cu .785 ns .227 ns
Pb .013 s .417 ns
Hg .138 ns .530 ns
Zn .772 ns .574 ns
* - using Kruskal-Wallis Test s - significant ns - not significant

Table 4. Mean concentrations of trace metals in janitor fish samples (mg/kg wet wt.) collected during
the wet and dry season in the east, west and central bays of Laguna de Bay.
Sampling As,mg/kg Cr,mg/kg Cu,mg/kg Pb,mg/kg Hg,mg/kg Zn,mg/kg
Stations/Sites Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet
1. East Bay
Siniloan ND 0.0024b ND 0.0400 0.2800 0.2823c 0.1800 0.0860 ND 0.0050 8.5700b 8.1000
2. West Bay
Binangonan ND 0.0070a ND 0.0557 0.3633 0.3423b 0.0600 0.0573 ND 0.0157 8.3467b 6.8667
Taguig ND 0.0051a ND ND 0.2900 2.6333a 0.1567 ND ND ND 6.0900c 7.6670
3.Central Bay
Jala-jala ND 0.0017b ND ND 0.4067 1.9000a 0.1900 0.0933 ND ND 10.0667a 8.0333
*Standard mg/
kg (wet wt.) ** ** ** 0.5 0.5 **

* FAO No. 210. 2001 ** No standard limit established ND for Cd

Table 5. Comparison of concentrations of heavy metals in janitor fish flesh among the four sampling
sites during the dry and wet season.
Dry season Wet season
Heavy Metals p – value * Significance p – value * Significance
at P<0.05 at P<0.05
As 1.0 ns .024 s
Cd 1.0 ns 1.0 ns
Cr 1.0 ns .269 ns
Cu .152 ns .017 s
Pb .458 ns .289 ns
Hg 1.0 ns .172 ns
Zn .033 s .231 ns
* - using Kruskal-Wallis Test s - significant ns - not significant
Journal of Environmental Science and Management Vol. 9. No. 2 (December 2006)
sampling sites during the dry season (P<0.05).
However, there were no significant differences in
the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium,
copper, lead, and mercury (P>0.05). During the wet
season, the four sampling sites had significant
differences in the concentrations of arsenic and copper
(P<0.05) but none in the concentrations of cadmium,
chromium, lead, mercury and zinc in fish flesh
(P>0.05).
Microbial Analyses in Water and Fish
Results of the microbial analyses of water are
presented in Table 6. The total bacterial count of
water samples differed in the four sites. The highest
bacterial count during the wet season was recorded
in Siniloan and Jala-Jala (251,000 cfu/100 ml). Low
bacterial count (1,343 cfu/100 ml and 1,553 cfu/100
ml) during the dry season was recorded in Binangonan
and Jala-jala, respectively. E. coli was high in Jala-
Jala (4.25 MPN/100 ml) and Siniloan (5.4 MPN/100
ml) during the dry season.
Table 7 shows the microbial load of janitor fish
flesh collected during the dry and wet season in the
four sampling sites. The total bacterial count in fish
flesh during the dry season ranged from 200,000 to
2,230,000 cfu/g and during the wet season ranged from
800 to 5,650,000 cfu/g, respectively. The highest total
bacterial count obtained in the fish flesh samples
collected from Jala-Jala, Taguig, and Siniloan during
the wet season exceeded the standard limit of 500,000
cfu/g. S. aureus was significantly high during the wet
season in Jala-Jala, Siniloan and Taguig. The total
count exceeded the limit of 1,000 cfu/g. Coliform were
present in all sampling stations (22 to >1,600 MPN/
g). Salmonella (absent in 25 g) were recorded in
Siniloan, Binangonan, Taguig and Jala-Jala during
the dry season. Shigela was positive in Siniloan.
The results of microbiological analyses of fish
flesh samples during the wet season revealed that
most of the parameters analyzed were above the
standard limits set by the International Commission
on Microbial Specifications for Foods (1986).
Physico-chemical Parameters
Table 8 presents the mean values of physico-
chemical parameters in the central, east and west bay
35
of Laguna de Bay. The highest water depth was
recorded during the wet season in Binangonan (3.2
m) and the lowest was observed in Siniloan (0.4 m)
during the dry season. Water transparency and
temperature ranged from 20 cm to 50 cm and 25.5 ºC
to 32.2 ºC in the four sampling sites, respectively.
Comparison of water parameters among the four
sampling sites is shown in Table 9. During the dry
season, there were significant differences in pH,
dissolved oxygen and salinity among the four sampling
sites (P<0.05) and no significant difference in NO2.
The dissolved oxygen, salinity and NO2 had no
significant difference (P>0.05) during the wet season.
DISCUSSION
Heavy Metals in Fish and Water
The adverse effects of heavy metals in the aquatic
environment has been well-documented in the
literature. The ability of algae to accumulate large
quantities of heavy metals has been reported. Previous
studies on the kinetics of heavy metal accumulation
by algae showed uptake to be an extremely rapid
phenomenon (Jennett et al.1983). Another significant
source of increased metal levels in fish is metal-
contaminated diet. Planktons which serve as natural food
of the fishes have a tendency to accumulate metals in
the system (Madamba and Pamulaklakin 1994).
The heavy metals predominantly present from
industrial activities, domestic households, agricultural
and livestock production empty into the lake in the
form that can readily be assimilated by phytoplankton,
other aquatic plants and organisms which could result
to higher metal uptake. Thus, the metal concentration
in the water is a significant source of increased metal
levels in fish (Relon 1996). The concentration of
heavy metals in janitor fish shows that as an omnivore
and bottom feeder, their heavy metal uptake comes
mostly in the food they eat which can easily be
absorbed through water and in the environment they
inhabit. Bernard and Andreae (1984) reported that the
largest concentration of heavy metals was found in
omnivorous fish, followed by herbivorous and
carnivorous. According to Spehar et al. (1979),
phytoplankton-feeding fishes had higher copper and
zinc levels than the fish preying on invertebrates. The
36 Heavy metal and microbial analyses of Janitor Fish (Pterygoplichthys spp.)
in Laguna de Bay, Philippines
Table 6. Mean microbial load of water samples collected during the dry and wet season in the central,
east and west bay of Laguna de Bay.

EAST BAY WEST BAY CENTRAL BAY

PARAMETERS Siniloan Binangonan Taguig Jala-Jala
Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet
Total Bacterial Count cfu/100ml 93,750 TNTC 1,343 100,000 22,575 217,000 1,553 251,000
Total Coliform, MPN/100ml 730 >1,600 129 <1.8 920 110 525 350
E. coli, MPN/100ml 5.4 Negative Negative Negative 11 <1.8 4.25 <1.8

Table 7. Mean microbial load of janitor fish flesh collected during the dry and wet season in the central,
east and west bay of Laguna de Bay.
EAST BAY WEST BAY CENTRAL BAY STAN-
PARAMETERS Siniloan Binangonan Taguig Jala-Jala DARD
LIMIT*
Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet

Total Bacterial 2,230,000 1,465,000 223,500 800 200,000 1,650,000 278,500 5,560,000 500,000
Count cfu/g
S. aureus, cfu/g 650 2,290 850 35 1,400 6,400 1,365 1,155 1,000

E.coli, per g Negative Positive 2 Negative Negative 9.1 Negative <1.8 11

Total Coliform, >1,600 >1,600 >1,600 22 350 >1,600 >1,600 >1,600 4

MPN/g
absent Negative absent Negative absent - absent - absent
Salmonella in 25g in 25g in 25g in 25g in 25g
-
Shigela Positive Negative Negative Negative Negative - Negative Negative

*International Commission on Microbial Specification for Food (ICMSF), 1986

Table 8. Mean values of physico-chemical parameters of east, west and central bays of Laguna de
Bay during the dry and wet season.

East Bay West Bay Central Bay

Parameters Siniloan Binangonan Taguig Jala-Jala
Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet Dry Wet
Water depth (m) 0.4 1.2 2.25 3.2 1.5 2.5 1.7 2.4
Water Transparency 32 35 50 45 37 48 34 20
Air Temperature 26.6 26 30.2 27 27.5 23 30.1 23
Water Temperature 27.6 31 28.8 30.5 29.7 26 32.2 25.5
pH 6.75 8.25 7.75 8.25 7.75 7.75 7.75 7.75
D.O. mg/L 2.03 9.05 6.85 6.47 6.78 6.5 4.28 7.3
NO2 mg/L 0.068 0 0.022 0 0 0 0 0
Salinity, g/L 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0

Table 9. Comparison of the physico-chemical parameters in water during the dry and wet season
collected in the four sampling sites.
Water Dry season Wet season
Parameters p –value* Significance p –value* Significance
at P<0.05 at P<0.05
pH .012 s .012 s
D.O. .086 ns .129 ns
NO2 .041 s 1.0 ns
Salinity .012 s 1.0 ns
* - using Kruskal-Walis Test
s - significant
ns – not significant
Journal of Environmental Science and Management Vol. 9. No. 2 (December 2006)
pathway of the accumulation of mercury in the fish,
is probably via the food chain (Hasselrot and
Gothberg 1974; Bebbington et al. 1977).
The environmental condition of Laguna de Bay
provides a good habitat for janitor fish. According to
Chavez et al. (2006), news reports state that janitor
fish proliferating in the waters of Laguna de Bay was
being blamed for the decrease in the commercial
marketable fish catch from the lake. This non-
indigenous species is a major economic, environmental
and health concern in the 21st century (http://
www.science.hq.nasa.gov). Invasive species may
compete with and replace native species resulting to
degradation of the environment and decline in
production. Invading species have undoubtedly been
responsible for the decline of native species and an
invader can cause major alterations to fish communities
(Moyle 1998).
The above findings of the water samples were
below the levels reported by the LLDA. According
to the report, the cadmium concentration in January
and April 1998 exceeded the criterion of 0.01 mg/L
in all lake stations. Lead concentration exceeded by
0.05mg/L in October 2000 in the four lake stations
but decreased the following quarter (LLDA 2005).
Tables 11 and 12 show the data and values of
the different water quality parameters. A high significant
negative correlation of temperature with copper and
significant negative correlation of dissolved oxygen
with lead was observed. The transparency readings
had positive correlation with copper and highly
significant negative correlation with lead during the
dry season.
During the wet season, temperature and pH had
high significant positive correlations with chromium
and mercury and has high negative correlation with
copper. The high positive correlation of transparency
with arsenic and inverse correlation with lead and zinc
maybe attributed to suspended particles in the water
column. Dissolved oxygen had a significant positive
correlation with lead and zinc and had a negative
correlation with arsenic. High dissolved oxygen favors
the formation of iron-hydroxides that seems to be the
main sinks for heavy metals such as copper, chromium,
lead and zinc (Houba et al. 1983). Heavy metals
are known to adhere to suspended particles (Salim
37
1983), thus settling of these particles results in
lower levels of heavy metals in the water.
In this study, the levels of heavy metals in water
and fish were within acceptable limits. However, heavy
metals are not only acutely toxic but also cumulative
poisons. Cadmium and lead are recognized as toxic
metals and incidences of poisoning from environmental
pollution and clinical symptoms are well known
(Madamba and Pamulaklakin 1994). Copper and
zinc are basically essential, but these become toxic in
excessive amounts. Although the concentrations of
heavy metals in janitor fish were quite low, these should
not be ignored. Sublethal doses of heavy metals are
known to have a number of physiological and genetic
effects on several species of fish (Cuvin-Aralar 1989).
.
Microbial Content of Water and Fish
The highest bacterial count in the water and fish
flesh was greatly influenced by the seasonal variation
(dry and wet season) in the central, east and west bay
of Laguna de Bay. The highest total bacterial count
in fish flesh was obtained in the samples collected
from Jala-Jala, Taguig, and Siniloan during the wet
season, which exceeded the standard limit of 500,000
cfu/g. The rapid increase in total bacterial count during
the wet season maybe attributed to the contamination
during the rainy days’ run-off and flushing of domestic
and agro-industrial wastes coming from the watershed.
Barril and Tumlos (1997) reported that coliform
bacterial population in the lake had exceeded the
criteria for Class C waters by 200-fold. The high
microbial counts were attributed to the high population
pressure in the area and the contamination of the water
with human, animal and industrial wastes (Sanchez
et al. 1978). LLDA (2005) reported that liquid and
solid wastes from point and non-point sources
accumulate during the dry season. At the onset of
rainy season, these accumulated wastes are flushed
into Laguna de Bay. The total coliform count from
1995 to 2004 in the lake was within tolerable limits
for Class C waters. The low bacterial population in
1998, 1999, and 2003 could be explained by the
cleansing effect brought about by high chloride
concentration during summer months. The lake water
is still suitable for the growth and propagation of fish
as Class C waters.
38 Heavy metal and microbial analyses of Janitor Fish (Pterygoplichthys spp.)
in Laguna de Bay, Philippines

Table 10. Length and weight data of janitor fish for two seasons per sampling station.
Dry season Wet season
Station/Site
L (cm) Wt. (g) L (cm) Wt. (g)
Binangonan 42.0 – 50.5 540 – 1,550 30.9 – 35.8 250 – 550
Jala-Jala 20.6 – 44.5 50 – 620 20.1 – 37.0 100 – 300
Siniloan 37.7 – 44.5 400 – 600 29.7 – 42.7 200 – 550
Taguig 37.0 – 46.7 350 – 1,200 27.0 – 43.0 150 – 550

Table 11. Correlation coefficients for levels of heavy metals in water with different water quality
parameters during the dry season in the four sampling stations.
Parameters Cu Pb Zn
Temperature (˚C) -0.84** 0.33 0.40
pH -0.17 -0.37 -0.12
DO (mg/L) 0.35 -0.66* 0.52
NO2 0.38 0.06 0.14
Transparency (cm) 0.58* -0.99** 0.15
Salinity -0.17 -037 0.12

* - significant ** - highly significant df =10 (n-2)

Table 12. Correlation coefficients for levels of heavy metals in water with different water quality pa-
rameters during the wet season in the four sampling stations.
Parameters As Cr Cu Pb Hg Zn

Temperature (˚C) 0.29 0.95** -0.94** 0.30 0.76* -0.33

pH 0.31 0.97** -0.97** 0.34 0.81** -0.37
DO (mg/L) -0.69* 0.20 -0.48 0.62* -0.18 0.69*
Transparency (cm) 0.84** 0.34 -0.03 -0.81** 0.41 -0.63*
* - significant ** - highly significant df = 10 (n-2)

The results of microbiological analyses of fish
flesh samples collected during the wet season revealed
that most of the parameters analyzed were above the
standard limit set by the International Commission
on Microbial Specifications for Foods (1986). Thus,
seasonal variation greatly influenced the microbial
load of fish flesh.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The concentrations of heavy metals and microbial
load in the janitor fish flesh in the four sampling sites
revealed that metal uptake and microbial load in the
janitor fish flesh were greatly influenced by the
environment and seasonal variation during the dry and
wet season. The influx of organic wastes and the
massive amounts of pollutants coming from different
sources pose a great threat to the lake that favored
the proliferation of this species. Most toxic heavy
metals are absorbed or tied up in the sediments as
precipitated hydroxides. Once converted by bacterial
action into organic form, it can easily enter into
the food chain.
In this study, the levels of heavy metals in janitor
fish flesh were within the standard limits but these
should not be ignored. Heavy metals are acutely toxic
in excessive amounts and tend to bioaccumulate at
low concentration. The microbiological analyses of
janitor fish flesh samples collected during the wet
season revealed that most of the parameters analyzed
were within the standard limits except for copper.
Based from the results of the study, janitor fish
flesh cannot be processed into fishery products nor
fish ingredients for hogs and livestock since these are
not suited for human consumption. Although, it can
be processed as fertilizer for ornamental plants, forest
trees and feeds for ornamental fishes. The skin can
also be used as leather material for accent due to its
exotic appearance.
Journal of Environmental Science and Management Vol. 9. No. 2 (December 2006)
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Works Association and Water Pollution Control
Federation 2001. Standard Methods for the
Examination of Water and Wastewater 20th Edition.
American Public Health Association. Washington,
DC 20005 USA.
Barril, C.R.1990. Water Quality Assessment and
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in Laguna de Bay, Philippines
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Hannibal M. Chavez, Manager*
Elvira A. Casao, Aquaculturist II/Chemist *
Eunice P. Villanueva, Senior Aquaculturist*
Madeleine P. Paras, Laboratory Analyst*
Marites C. Guinto, Chemist*
Marilou B. Mosqueda, Aquaculturist I*
* Regional Fisheries Research and Development
Center, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR)-Region IVA, Bambang,
Los Baños, Laguna

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 1995. Bacteriological

Analytical Manual 8th Edition. Association of Official
Analytical Chemists. 111 North 19th Street, Suite 210,
Arlington, U.S.A.

http://www.science.hq.nasa.gov/earthsun-application/
theme10htm. Accessed 19 July 2006.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors would like to thank the Bureau of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region IVA, for
funding this study.