ASSESSMENT OF SEDIMENT

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES IN RIPARIAN

FOREST OF MAINIT, RIVER,
A

ALANGALANG, LEYTE

Group:
Apostol, Kylamarie T.
Banado, Francis Ian C.
Caigoy, Mea Joy

June 2023
Research Paper in Envi 112: Geomorphology and Geology
Instructor: Syrus P. Decena
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

A sediment is the loose sand, silt, and other soil particles that are moved and deposited

into a new location. This can consist rocks, minerals, and even the remains of plants and

animals (Abowei et al., 2005). Sediment in rivers gets deposited as the river slows down.

Larger, heavier particles like pebbles and sand are deposited first, whilst the lighter silt and

clay only settle if the water is almost still. This sediment composed of the environment’s

various physicochemical properties and in this study case, sediments can be characterized in

terms of the readily available physical properties that reflects their provenance and depositional

environment which includes the bulk density, and their porosity and water content (Harrison et

al., 1964). There are studies that states that the different sediment properties influence the

vegetation, composition and the structure of the different ecosystem developments (Alongi et

al., 1996). It is important to determine the physical properties that compliments and control the

chemical characteristics of sediments in aquatic environment.

Sediments are a major cause of various problems related with the care and

managements of lakes and reservoirs in general, since sedimentation is the process by which

process will lead to shallowing of lakes and reservoir. Too much sediments collected in lakes

and reservoirs, when in rainy season will lead to being more susceptible of flooding (Syarifah,

et al., 2019). sediment is inorganic and organic material that is transported by, suspended in,

or deposited by streams. Sediment load, which is the quantity of sediment transported by a

stream, is a function of stream discharge, soil and land-cover features, weather conditions, land-

use activities, and many other factors. Sediment load carried by streams and rivers can be

composed either of fine materials, mostly silts and clays, or larger materials such as sand. When
this sediment is contaminated, a significant environmental problem occurs affecting many

marine, estuarine, freshwater and other environment throughout the world (Adesuyi et al.,

2016). A dangerous trend in the case of contamination is the accumulation of toxic elements,

such as heavy metals. The accumulation of trace elements in bottom sediments occurs along

with the complex physical and chemical mechanisms of absorption, which depend on the

peculiarities of the composition, structure and properties of sediments, as well as on the

properties of the absorbed compounds (Rzetala et al., 2019).

The physico-chemical properties of sediments from rivers explains the different

compositions of several factors (Piper et al., 2006). Human activities can alter the properties

and cycles of sediments, resulting in increased contamination (Tyler et al., 2015). Some

parameters of assessing the different properties of sediments are the particle size, bulk density,

porosity, water content, pH, organic matter and the contamination of phosphorous and

potassium (Adesuyi et al., 2016), but in our study only the physical properties are to be

measured. Additionally, sediments serve as a reservoir for pollutants and as a potential source

of pollutants to the water, organisms and to human consumers of this organisms.

Significance of the Study

This study which focuses on the assessment of sediments physical properties could be

of help for future research in effective management of waterbodies, especially in providing

information that may be used to inform people of the possible contamination of water due to

sediments condition, and also into developing an effective and suitable management plan. To

the best knowledge of the researcher, there are only a few studies conducted that aim to assess

the sediments physical properties in the Philippines, most specifically at the researcher's chosen

site of study.
 Objectives of the Study

This study aims to assess the physical properties of the sediments across Mainit River.

The specific objects of the study are the following:

1. to determine the physical properties of sediments (e.g. bulk density, porosity and

water holding capacity) across different sites in Mainit River;

2. to evaluate the relationship of the physical properties of sediments between two sites.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is limited only to the assessment of sediments physical properties in Mainit

River, located at Brgy. Binongto-an, Alangalang, Leyte. The assessment includes only the

identification of the bulk density, porosity and the water holding capacity of the sediments.

Definition of Terms

Bulk Density- an indicator of compaction.

Porosity- the total volume that is taken by the pore space.

Sediments - a solid material that is moved and deposited in a new location. It can be as

small as a grain of sand or as large as a boulder.

Water Holding Capacity - the amount of water that is held by the sediments.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

River Ecosystem

River ecosystem services (rESS) provides important benefits that impact our day-to-

day lives. They provide drinking water, irrigation, transportation, food and more. They also

provide habitat for important fish species, flood protection, or spaces for recreation that are

important to human well-being (Jähnig et al., 2022). Specifically, this study will focus on the

riparian zone sediments.

Riparian zone is a transitional zone of terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems,

which is one of the main sources of reservoir sediment and pollutants (Liu et al., 2022). Flowing

water has tremendous energy and an affinity for sediment, as water seeks path with least

resistance for erosion, thus transports eroded materials or sediments downstream. The riparian

zone serves as a buffer for this source of pollutants entering a river or stream from runoff and

also controls erosion (Baniya et al., 2019). The erosion and deposition of sediments in

floodwaters and the interaction of these processes with floodplain vegetation creates a wide

range of soils found in riparian areas as most riparian soils are heavily influenced by their

geomorphic setting. Gradient is the key for the composition of soil substrates along streams. In

high gradient stream riparian soils are typically coarse textured to the surface with large

percentage of coarse fragments, while in low gradient stream it typically has finer textured

surface horizons over layers of coarse sand gravels or cobbles (Arizona, 2006).

Land-use Effects towards Sediments

Linking land use to sediment nutrient processes in large modified watersheds has been

difficult to accomplish (Aguilera et al., 2013). In general, systematic measurements of most of

the riverine ecosystem processes are limited, especially on the nutrient cycling of the entire

river networks. Land use is a major driver of sediment nutrient processes in river networks of

heavily modified watersheds. Models developed from these studies have shown that that

nutrient buffering capacity of the sediment decreases with an increase in land use modifications

(Mulholland et al., 2008).

Land uses such as crop cultivation and animal grazing from formerly forested riparian

lands altered the physical and chemical characteristics of environment. The transport of river

sediment is generally discontinuous, as a number of sediment stores or sinks exist in the

catchment, including alluvial fans, terraces, floodplains, etc., in which sediment may be

retained for a long time (Fryirs and Brierley, 2001). Some land use changes increase the

accumulation of fine sediments and elevate nutrient concentrations in river networks draining

agricultural and urban areas, which in turn affects nutrient cycling (Allan, 2004). For instance,

the agricultural intensification together with poor land management practices accelerate

erosion and increase the number of source areas that contribute sediment to the stream network

(Liniger et al., 2011).

Causes of Sedimentation

Sediments can come from soil erosion or from the decomposition of plants and animals.

Soil erosion naturally occurs over time, as people clear and cultivate the land. According to

Morse (2013) erosion can hasten, washing valuable topsoil and nutrients into rivers and other

water sources which causes sedimentation. As soils consist of varying percentages of clay, silt,

and sand, they also have varying type of erodibility. In general, silty soils tend to be highly

erosive, clayey and loamy soils tend to have moderate erodibility, and sandy soils generally

have low erodibility, however fine sands can also be highly erosive (Arbor, 2015).

Sedimentation is the direct result of the loss or the erosion of sediments from other aquatic
areas or land-based areas to which can be both detrimental or beneficial to the aquatic

environments. It is the process in which particulate matter carried from its point of origin by

either natural or human-enhanced processes is deposited elsewhere on land surfaces or in

waterbodies. Sediment is a natural product of stream erosion; however, the sediment load may

be increased by human practices. According to Atkins (2010) changes in land use, streamflow

characteristics, and drainage patterns can alter the natural sedimentation rate. Historically,

agriculture has been a main source of human-enhanced sediments in waterbodies.

Importance of Sediments Assessment

It is well acknowledged that coastal sediment contamination is a serious environmental

problem. Water bodies in lowland areas with high population densities are often affected and

experiences multiple stressorrs (Rico et al., 2016). Since the river sediments accumulate

pollutants over time causing direct or indirect effects on aquatic environment as well as human

beings, assessment of river sediments is essential (Nair and Kumar, 2019). According to Dahls

et al. (2017), fine sediment particle is an integral part of the aquatic ecosystem, and many

aquatic creatures rely on sediment quality for survival (Vivien et al., 2020).

Sediment-associated contaminants may reach concentrations that cause adverse effects

on some organisms in freshwater ecosystem, like the benthic macroinvertebrate communities

that live in and on top of the sediment (Beasley et al., 2002), where they play an important role

in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems by driving energy flows and nutrient cycling through

freshwater food webs (Covich et al., 1999). The effects of sediment-associated contaminants

on benthic macroinvertebrates may have far-reaching consequences for the structure and

functioning of aquatic ecosystems (Brock et al., 2020). It is thus important to incorporate

sediment into the quality assessment of aquatic ecosystems. Understanding the degree of

sediment heavy metal contamination and its associated ecological implications requires
research. Sediment contamination is of particular concern due to the persistence and

environmental toxicity of heavy metals in this matrix (Coulthard and Macklin, 2003), that is

why the assessment of sediments is important, to determine if the sediments in a certain

location is contaminated or not, in this study case even only by assessing its physical properties.

Sediments Physical Properties

Bulk Density

One sediment characteristic that does not have a well-known effect on benthic

macrofauna and their behavior is sediment bulk density. It is an indicator of both the sediment

compaction and water content (Grabowski et al., 2011). The bulk density is measured to

characterize the compactness in response to land use and management practices (Hakansson

and Lipiec, 2000), and also the sand content of sediments (FAO, 2005). Both the bulk density

(ρ) and porosity (β) are measures of the mass and/or volume of sediment particles and pore

fluid in fully saturated sediments. Sediment bulk density is the most fundamental sediment

property directly affecting acoustic propagation within sediments.

Bulk density is inversely related to the sediment porosity, or the amount of water

retained in a waterlogged sediment. It influences the sediment oxygen content, chemistry, and

organic matter (Gray and Elliott, 2009). The bulk density tends to increase with grain size

(Ysebaert et al., 2005) and sediment strength (Lucking et al., 2017). In terms of soil, the bulk

density reflects the mass or weight of a given volume of soil. Infiltration, available water

capacity, soil porosity, rooting depth/restrictions, soil microorganism activity, root

proliferation, and nutrient availability. Thus, sediment bulk density (dry sediment weight per

sediment wet volume) is an important characteristic of intertidal geomorphology and describes

a measure of sediment compaction.

 Compaction improves soil bulk density and mechanical resistance. Compaction, for

example, increased the bulk density of soil at a campsite by 21% (Legg and Schneider, 1977).

Total pore space (especially pores larger than 50 m) decreases as bulk density increases, while

the proportion of micropores increases.

Porosity

The depth at which air and water can enter the subsoil is determined by porosity. It is

described as the volume of nonsolids to the total volume of soil. Porosity is the quantity of

liquid-holding voids (spaces) within a rock. The porosity of a sedimentary rocks is never

perfectly packed, as the porosity generally varies from 1 to 50% (Graham, 2018). The

unconsolidated sediments tend to have higher porosity than those of the consolidated ones

because they have no cement, and most have not been strongly compressed. In soil, the porosity

refers to the fraction of total soil volume occupied by the pore space (Nimmo, 2004). The

distribution of porosity and pore size in the soil influenced various soil hydraulic properties

such as hydraulic conductivity, water retention, infiltration, and available water capacity

(Luxmoore, 1981).

According to Reynolds et al. (2002), soil porosity and water release characteristics have

a direct influence on a variety of soil indices such as soil aeration capacity, plant available

water capacity, and relative field capacity. Temperature changes are said to affect soil porosity

and the interactive surface between liquid and solid, particularly in heavy loam with a high clay

content (Gao and Shao, 2015).

Other properties have a significant impact on porosity. The weathering increases

porosity and water retention capacity while decreasing bulk density as soils with different bulk

densities have different volumes of air and water at any given value of water-filled pore space,

resulting in significant variation in water-filled pore space-based relationships. Furthermore,

changes in porosity are caused by bulk density and macro porosity rather than size (Ofem,

et.al., 2021).

Water Content

Water content, bulk density and porosity are important properties of soils and bottom

sediments (Avnimelech et al., 2001). It is often used as a key physical parameter of lacustrine

deposits due to its relative ease of measurement and because of its physical and empirical

associations with other sediment parameters (Håkanson and Jansson 1983). This water content

is a combination of moisture that naturally exists and moisture that has been absorbed from

precipitation or the atmosphere. The water content of lake-sediment cores provides informative

data for environmental reconstruction (Menounos et al., 1997).

According to a study by Cohen (2022) the primary physical characteristic that indicates

its capacity to withstand detachment by water flow or raindrop impact is known as resistance,

which is frequently also alternatively referred to as the susceptibility to erosion by water. It

frequently accounts for varying yield and erosion rates in places with various soil types.

(Goudie, 2013). Although it is widely acknowledged that the resistance depends on both the

intrinsic qualities of the soil and exogenous dynamic environmental factors (Bryan, 2000), the

latter's impact is rarely explicitly accounted for in the concept of soil resistance. (Knapen et al.,

2007). Soil moisture is one such exogenous environment property that is known to impact the

soil's resistance to erosion (Fell et al., 2017). An obvious and a widely studied effect of soil

moisture on sediment yield is through runoff generation. Drier soils tend to generate less runoff

(Chen et al., 2015) thus have less sediment transport capacity than a wet soil where more runoff

is generated and more soil will be eroded (Wei et al., 2007).

 CHAPTER III

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Site and Site Description

Mainit River is located in the province of Leyte traversing the municipalities of Jaro,

Alangalang and San Miguel with an area of 8,521.17 ha. (DOCSTO, 2011). A river that is a

class H - Hydrographic stream in Eastern Visayas (Leyte), Philippines with the region font

code of Asia/Pacific. It has the latitude 11° 08.558 0 latitude and 124° 46.762' longitude with

an elevation of 160 m above sea level. The climatic condition in the area is tropical in which it

received significant rainfall that averages to 2153 mm and the average temperature of 27.3°C.

The type of soil in the area was clay loam soil which is suitable for agricultural cultivation

(Africa, 1996).

Figure 1. Map of Alangalang showing the study area.

 Establishment of Sampling Sites

A total of two sites were established in the riparian forest area of Mainit River. The first

study site is located on the riverbank of the river, and with a vertical interval of 2 m lies next

the second site which is in the riparian bank zone of Mainit River. For every study station, five

1 x 1 m quadrat, with 3 m interval each will be established parallel towards the river. The

establishment of sample sites were chosen in order to see the difference between the physical

properties of sediments in the riverbank and riparian bank. Tape measure were utilized for the

sample site establishment, in order to accurately implement the desired sample size.

Soil Sample Collection and Instrument

Using core method, cylinders of a known volume are driven into the ground to collect

sediment sample. The instrument used to collect samples are tin cans of sardines to substitute

the soil auger. Samples gathered will be dried in an oven set at 60°C until a constant weight is

reached for twenty-four hours. The collected samples were labeled and brought to the

Environmental Department’s lab at the Visayas State University-Alangalang Campus for

physical analysis.

Soil Data Analysis

Physical Properties

a. Bulk Density

Bulk density is measured using a metal sampler with the dimensions of 5 cm in

diameter by 8.5 cm in height and a volume of 166.81 cm3. It was pushed into the ground

to the required depth. To protect the sediment core, it was removed with care (Blake and

Hartge, 1986). The collected samples’ fresh weight will then be determined, and they will

be dried in an oven set at 60°C until a constant weight is reached (McKenzie et al., 2004).
 5 cm

8.5 cm

Figure 2. Cylinder used to collect the samples.

The bulk density will be then obtained using the formula:

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 (𝑔)

𝐷𝑏 ( 𝑔/𝑐𝑚3 ) =
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 (𝑐𝑚3 )

b. Percent Porosity

Porosity will be calculated using the data from bulk density and the constant value

of density particle which is 2.65 g/cm^3 (Brady, 1974).

𝐷𝑏
𝑓 = (1 − ) 𝑥 100
𝐷𝑝

Where:

f = porosity (%)

Db = bulk density (g/cm³)

Dp = particle density (g/cm³)

c. Water Holding Capacity

Before drying the samples, the moisture content will be measured and estimated in

percentage. The sample will be transferred into a previously weighed metal sampler, and

both the metal sampler and soil sample will be weighed. Weighing both the metal sampler

and the sediment sample will yield the moisture content before the samples are oven dried.

It will then be dried in an oven until it reached a constant weight and will be desiccated and

weighed again. The formula below will be used to calculate the percentage soil moisture

content.

𝑀𝑠 − 𝑀𝑡
𝑊𝐻𝐶 % = 𝑥 100
𝑀𝑡 − 𝑀𝑏

Where:

Ms = mass of beaker containing water saturated sample (g)

Mt = mass of beaker containing oven-dried sample (g)

Mb = mass of beaker (g)

Data Analysis

Data will then be analyzed through Paleontological Statistical Test (PAST) to

identify whether there is a difference or an association between the physical properties of

sediments on both sites with paired sample T-test.

 CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This chapter presents the results and discussions of the data gathered on the assessment

of sediment physical properties. This include determining the bulk density, water holding

capacity, and porosity from two study sites, namely, (1) Riverbank, and (2) Riparian bank zone

extracting five samples from each site in the Riparian Forest of Mainit River, Alangalang,

Leyte.

Physical Properties

Bulk Density

The bulk density refers to the mass of solids per unit bulk volume including the volume

of the cylinder which is expressed in g/cm3 (Jahn et al., 2006). This physical property is used

as an indicator of compaction and can also be used to estimate porosity (Berlejung, 2017).

Generally, figure 2 shows the bulk density data of each site including the comparison

of each sample. As seen on the figure, the riverbank site on average, has higher bulk density

compared to the riparian area. The highest value of bulk density is from site 1 which is 1.46

g/cm3, while the lowest is from site 2 with a value of 1.33 g/cm3. High bulk density is an

indicator of compaction and low porosity, however according to FAO (2005) higher bulk

density is also an indication of high sand content. Bulk density impacts available water

capacity, root growth, and movement of air and water through the soil, but in the case of the

collected sample, sand have relatively high bulk density because they have less total pore space

than silty or clayey soils. According to Andersen et al., (2005) sediments typically have 0.2-

1.5g/cm3. Furthermore, the bulk density of sediments tends to increase with erosion.
 The sediments found in the riverbank are generally sandy soil which are characterized

by a lack of structure. A study by Coquet (1995) measured the shrinkage properties of two soils

in Senegal with different texture. On the sandy soil, results obtained in the field and in the

laboratory, showed very small shrinkage: bulk volume variation. When they dried, the sandy

soils develop only very few thin cracks organized in a loose network. The poor shrinkage

properties are related to the low clay content of many tropical sandy soils.

Bulk Density (g/cm3)

1.46
1.45
1.44
1.42
1.41

1.37
1.36 1.36
1.34
1.33

PLOT 1 PLOT 2 PLOT 3 PLOT 4 PLOT 5

Riverbank Riparian

Figure 2. Bulk density of sediment samples from riverbank and riparian bank zone of Mainit
River.

Porosity

The porosity refers to the fraction of the total volume of voids within a sediment that is

taken up by the pore space (Nimmo, 2004). Higher porosity indicates the number of fine pores,

which are plainly visible during field morphological investigation, as with greater proportion

of fine sands, the porosity would increase. The relative volume of pores in the sample is

measured by sediment porosity (Hillet, 2004).

 Generally, figure 3 shows the percent porosity data of each site including the

comparison of each sample. As seen on the figure, the riparian area has higher rate of percent

porosity compared to the riverbank, as porosity is inversely proportional to bulk density. The

highest value of percent porosity is from site 2 which is 49.81%, while the lowest porosity rate

comes from site 1 which is 44.91%. According to Kebebew (2022), the higher the organic

matter content in a land type, the higher the porosity is. Very small porosities are generally

observed in sandy soils of the tropics as the porosity in sandy soils is usually smaller than in

clayey and silty soils (Lamotte et al., 1997). Samples from two sites both contain sand, coarser

sand have lower porosity compared to sandy loam as they have generally bigger but fewer

pores in number, while sandy loam have smaller but greater number of pores.

Porosity

49.81
49.43
48.68 48.68
48.3

46.79
46.42
45.66
45.28
44.91

PLOT 1 PLOT 2 PLOT 3 PLOT 4 PLOT 5

Riverbank Riparian

Figure 3. Percent (%) porosity of riverbank and riparian sediment samples from the riparian

forest of Mainit River.

 Water Holding Capacity

The water holding capacity (WHC) refers to the ability of a soil to hold the maximum

quantity of water at saturation. This attribute is inversely related to bulk density and has a direct

relationship with percent porosity. According to Wang et al. (2013), the higher the organic

matter content, the larger the soil's water storage capacity.

Figure 4, shows the water holding capacity in percent data of each site including the

comparison of each sample. As seen on the figure, the riparian area has higher rate of water

holding capacity compared to the riverbank, as just like porosity, water holding capacity is also

inversely proportional to bulk density. The highest value of water holding capacity is from site

2 which equals to 22.79%, while the lowest water holding capacity comes from site 1 having

15.19%. Missanjo and Kamanga-Thole (2014) stated that when porosity decreased due to

compaction, the available water holding capacity also decreases. Sandy soils drains water fast

as they have larger pores.

Water Holding Capacity

22.79
21.92 21.34
19.85 19.78
18.00 18.61
16.35
15.19 15.44

PLOT 1 PLOT 2 PLOT 3 PLOT 4 PLOT 5

Riverbank Riparian

Figure 4. Water holding capacity (WHC) of riverbank and riparian sediment samples from the
riparian forest of Mainit River.
Paired Sample T-test Results

Base on the results from the t-test for paired samples, there is a significant difference

between all the physical properties of sediments from the two sampling sites. Results of the

paired-t test as seen on table 1 for the variable bulk density indicated that there is a significant

difference between riverbank and the riparian sediments bulk density. In table 2, results of the

paired-t test for the variable porosity indicated that there is a significant difference between

riverbank and the riparian sediments porosity. Lastly, as seen on table 3, the result of the paired-

t test for the water holding capacity parameter indicated that there is a significant difference

between riverbank and the riparian sediments water holding capacity.

Table 1. Paired Sample T-test Result for bulk density.

Measure 1 Measure 2 t df P
Riverbank (Db) Riparian (Db) -34.29 4 0.0000043

Table 2. Paired Sample T-test Result for porosity.

Measure 1 Measure 2 t df P
Riverbank (f) Riparian (f) 34.17 4 0.0000044

Table 3. Paired Sample T-test Result for water holding capacity.

Measure 1 Measure 2 t df P
Riverbank (WHC) Riparian (WHC) 11.78 4 0.00030
 CHAPTER V

Summary and Conclusion

Summary

This study was conducted in order to assess the sediments physical properties of the

established site in the riparian forest of Mainit River. Specifically, its objectives were to (a)

determine the physical properties of sediments in terms of its bulk density, porosity and water

holding capacity across different sites in Mainit River; (b) evaluate the relationship or

differences between the different physical properties of sediments. McCauley (2005) stated

that understanding and recognizing sediment properties and its connections with one another

is important for making decisions regarding sediment management.

The results showed that sediment physical properties varied depending on the type of

soil, texture and its other morphological characteristics. In terms of bulk density, the site with

the highest data is riverbank while the lowest is in riparian (Figure 2). The high bulk density in

riverbank could be attributed from its high sand content. Additionally, the site with the highest

porosity is riparian due to its small but higher in number of pores, while the least was riverbank

due to it having larger but fewer pores (Figure 3). According to Chaudhari et al. (2013) bulk

density is inversely proportional to porosity, when the porosity increases, its bulk density

decreases. Meanwhile porosity has a direct relationship with % water holding capacity. The

site with the highest water holding capacity is in the riparian while the one with least is the

riverbank (Figure 4).

Based on the findings of the study, riparian has lower bulk density than the riverbank.

The result also shows that riverbank has a higher porosity, and water holding capacity

compared to the riparian site. and as seen on the results for the t-test for paired sample, it stated
there is a significant differences between the sediments physical properties of the two

established sites in the Riparian Forest of Mainit River.

Conclusion

Based on the results the following conclusions are derived:

1. Riverbank has the highest bulk density among all the sites established.

2. Riparian has the highest percentage of porosity while riverbank has the lowest.

3. Porosity is directly related to water holding capacity thus, the riparian has the highest

water holding capacity while riverbank has the lowest; and

4. Base on the results from the t-test for paired samples, there is a significant difference

between all the physical properties of sediments from the two sampling sites.

Recommendation

Based on the results the following are recommended:

1. Further study should be conducted on the sediment chemical properties (i.e., pH,

organic matter) parameters that are related to the physical properties of sediments.

2. Further studies should be conducted on the different sediment contaminants to further

assess sediment quality.

3. Future studies should add more study sites for better comparison between physical

properties of sediments.
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 APPENDIX A

Data Gathering Documentation

Figure 5. Site location at Riparian Forest of Mainit River.

Figure 6 and 7. Site establishment

Figure 8 and 9. Sample collection

Figure 10. Documentation