Boracay’s ground has karstic meaning fractured. Therefore, nutrients will seep into soil and emerge as sub-groundwater discharge, according Raymond Sucgang, scientist.
BORACAY ISLAND PHILIPPINES – Scientists and researchers have provided simple tips for residents and tourists to help protect this famous tourist destination.
The scientists talked to Rappler after a tourist’s social media post his experience in the water surrounded by green algae went viral.
“Green algae should be taken seriously by the residents and tourists, Raymond Sucgang, head of the Nuclear Analytical Techniques Application Section head of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) told Rappler in an interview.
An Aklanon, Sucgang, has conducted many studies on Boracay’s environment over the years.
Avoid urinating at the beach to reduce algal bloom. Also as much as possible, swim early or at night in order to avoid using sunscreens,” he said.
Boracay’s algal bloom is caused by people urinating on the beach, using sunscreenlotions, and taking outside showers.
“Also, all dishwashing wastes should not be poured in the ground . Boracay’s ground is karstic, meaning fractured, so these nutrients will seep into the soil and discharge as submarine groundwater or SGD” with the nutrients intact, he said in a mix of Filipino and English.
“The ulva mats (also known as the green algae) blooming in the neritic zone of Boracay is an indicator of nutrient load pollution,” Sucgang emphasized.
Boracay’s algal bloom is usually seen in the first quarter of each year, which is a dry period. Algal bloom is affected by rainy weather.
Martin Joseph Despi, who was recently appointed general manager of Boracay Inter Agency Rehabilitation Management Group, (BIARMG), is the secretariat for the Boracay Inter Agency Task Force. He stated that Boracay is still safe to swim in.
“The presence of the algae is simply a natural phenomenon that occurs yearly during the dry season or summer period in different areas of Boracay. This isn’t toxic and shouldn’t be a concern. In fact, the volume of algae has naturally subsided significantly in the past two weeks,”Despisaid.
“Tourists are assured that Boracay water is clean and safe for swimming and that BIARMG is steadfast in its mandate to provide accurate information to the public,” he added in a statement.
However, Dr. Rex Sadaba is a biology professor at UP Visayas who is also a biological rehabilitation expert specializing on mangroves, oil spills, and marine fungi. He pointed out that too many nutrients could pose a danger to marine life.
“There is a special medium for detection of fecal coliform for marine waters. High levels of phosphates and high levels of nitrates are the main culprits. While I agree that they could be seasonal, the load is just abnormal due to a highly eutrophic state,” he said.
A state of eutrophic means that nutrients are supporting a dense plant community where decomposition kills animal lives by depriving them of oxygen.
Sabada said he has yet to pursue his in-depth study on Boracay’s algal bloom. “This is what I proposed to monitor, even just visually, during the pandemic to clearly demonstrate the link,” he added.
Despi said that the BIARMG also detected the presence of algae on Carabao Island near Boracay. Rappler.com