Water Quality and Seasonal Dynamics of Phytoplankton and Zooplankton in the West Bay of Laguna de Bay, Philippines

Keshia N. Tingson; Macrina Tamayo-Zafaralla; Ecosystems and Development Journal

Keshia N. Tingson Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, CFNR, UPLB, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
Macrina Tamayo-Zafaralla Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College 4031, Laguna, Philippines
Ecosystems and Development Journal

Keywords: Laguna de Bay, Phytoplankton, seasonal dynamics, water quality, zooplankton

Abstract

The variability of phytoplankton and zooplankton is investigated in the West Bay of Laguna de Bay located along Sta. Rosa area. Water quality, aquatic communities and lead concentrations were analyzed during the dry and wet seasons. Water quality met the Class C standards of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 08 Series of 2016. Moreover, the lake water in the study sites was classified as mesotrophic according to chlorophyll a readings but eutrophic to hypertrophic based on Secchi disc tranparency. This study recorded 36 phytoplankton genera and 53 zooplankton genera. The phytoplankton communities showed that Class Bacillariophyta, specifically Aulacoseira sp. dominated the lake. Zooplankton communities were dominated by Order Rotifera during the dry season while Order Copepoda was abundant during wet season. Graphical representations revealed seasonal variability in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities as affected by changing water quality.