Preliminary Assessment on the Salt Content Using UV Vis Spectroscopy and the Physicochemical and Bacteriological Properties of Spring Water from Manamtam Salt Spring, Manamtam, Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya

Abstract

There is little to no knowledge about the existence –much less of the properties –of Manamtam Salt Spring. Due to the aforementioned reason, the spring cannot be fully utilized. In this study, it was hypothesised that there is no significant difference in the absorbance level of the salt obtained from the Salt Spring and a laboratory grade salt as exhibited by the UV Vis Spectroscopy. The bacteriological and physicochemical properties were also determined. The methodology used in the preliminary assessment of the salt content is through UV vis Spectroscopy. For the physicochemical properties, electrometric method, filtration method, HANNA Kit, PASCO PASSport water analysis kit. The tests revealed that the water is slightly acidic; nitrite and ammonia are absent in all sites; there is a high amount of Suspended sediments; DO levels are within the acceptable levels except Site B; electrical conductivity showed that there is a high amount of minerals, and salinity revealed that the water is mescaline. UV Vis Spectrophotometer showed that there is no colored material in the water and characterization of the salt sample revealed that there is a significant difference in the peak absorbance level of the salt samples and the positive control, NaCl, that may indicate that the salt content of the spring water may not have the same chemical attributes compared to the positive control. Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique revealed that six of nine water samples failed in Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform and HPC test for July and eight out of nine failed for August. Overall results are alarming because some locals use the salt derived from these sources in household use. Considering that the salt spring is not protected, it is deemed important that community is educated on the proper care of the spring and the LGU to do periodic monitoring to prevent contamination from agricultural sectors.