7th ISF

ENVI014 - Assessment of Heavy Metal Levels in Soil and Vegetation around an Airport in Tacloban City, Philippines

Heavy metal contamination generated from human activities has become a significant source of environmental deterioration. Primary anthropogenic stress for such circumstances is from aircraft emissions4which have been receiving increasing attention for their fuel9s toxic combustion products polluting soil and vegetation. Currently, there is a gap in knowledge on its presence, more so on the extent of heavy metal levels in airports in the Philippines. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the extent of heavy metal contamination around the airport mentioned above to provide awareness for everyone affected. Soil samples (0-25 cm) and leaf samples were collected in five sample sites, with an average distance of 172 meters from each other, around an airport in Tacloban City, Philippines. Soil samples were collected through the quartering method and only leaf samples free of signs of nutritional or moisture stress were collected. Collected soil samples were digested through acid digestion using aqua regia, while plant samples were prepared through riparian vegetation analysis using nitric acid. Lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) levels were determined using Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES). In line with this, officials could establish laws and regulations concerning this issue.

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