Estimating Pollution Load and Assimilative Capacity of Labangan River, Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines

Abstract

The study estimates the state of the river's water quality and its capacity to assimilate pollutants without adverse environmental impacts. Water quality monitoring was conducted at key sampling stations, revealing significant exceedances in key parameters such as total suspended solids (TSS), phosphates, and fecal coliform. These pollutants predominantly originate from domestic, agricultural, and industrial activities within the watershed. The results indicate that the assimilative capacity of the Labangan River has been compromised, particularly for organic pollutants, nutrients, and microbial contaminants. Contributing factors include urbanization, inadequate wastewater management, and surface runoff. The study employs computational models to quantify pollution loads and evaluates them against the river's assimilative capacity, providing a comprehensive analysis of pollution sources and their impacts on water quality. The findings underline the need for integrated water resource management strategies, improved wastewater treatment systems, and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to restore and preserve the river's ecological integrity. This study serves as a vital reference for policymakers and stakeholders in designing sustainable interventions to protect and manage the Labangan River effectively.