The heavy metal contents at the surface mixing layers are basically
lower than those of the sediments at peak pollution periods
(Fig. 2). However, these values, especially for Pb, are still higher
than the baseline values. In addition, the 206Pb/207Pb ratios in the
mixing layers are still at the levels of the highest values (ca.
1.15–1.16) (Fig. 2), which are identical to the isotopic ratios at peak
pollution times. Therefore, metal contamination is still occurring to
some extent and pollutants are still being stored in the deeper
parts of the sediments. Heavy metal pollution of the bottom sediments
in Manila Bay is still an important matter of concern, and
continuous monitoring is needed for better management of coastal
environments. The presented data and methodology should form
the basis for future monitoring, leading to pollution control, and
to the generation of preventive measures at the pollution source
for the maintenance of environmental quality in the coastal metropolitan
city of Manila. It can be seen from these results that current
levels of heavy metal pollution in Manila Bay are decreasing as a
result of environmental regulations enforced in the late 1990s.
The full compliance with the environmental laws and regulations
is important in stopping heavy metal pollution problems in this
area. Heavy metal pollution of marine environments in some economically
developed Asian metropolitan cities (Tokyo and Osaka)
have already been attenuated since the 1970s (Hirao et al., 1986;
Hoshika et al., 1991) by enforcement of environmental policies
and domestic regulations. As mentioned previously, similar environmental
regulations have recently been applied in some developing
Asian countries (Shelton and Kiss, 2005), although declines
in heavy metal pollution have not yet been reported, except in
Manila, as reported in this study. Our results suggest that we can expect to find similar signs of pollution decline in other Asian
countries as well.
The heavy metal contents at the surface mixing layers are basicallylower than those of the sediments at peak pollution periods(Fig. 2). However, these values, especially for Pb, are still higherthan the baseline values. In addition, the 206Pb/207Pb ratios in themixing layers are still at the levels of the highest values (ca.1.15–1.16) (Fig. 2), which are identical to the isotopic ratios at peakpollution times. Therefore, metal contamination is still occurring tosome extent and pollutants are still being stored in the deeperparts of the sediments. Heavy metal pollution of the bottom sedimentsin Manila Bay is still an important matter of concern, andcontinuous monitoring is needed for better management of coastalenvironments. The presented data and methodology should formthe basis for future monitoring, leading to pollution control, andto the generation of preventive measures at the pollution sourcefor the maintenance of environmental quality in the coastal metropolitancity of Manila. It can be seen from these results that currentlevels of heavy metal pollution in Manila Bay are decreasing as aresult of environmental regulations enforced in the late 1990s.The full compliance with the environmental laws and regulationsis important in stopping heavy metal pollution problems in thisarea. Heavy metal pollution of marine environments in some economicallydeveloped Asian metropolitan cities (Tokyo and Osaka)have already been attenuated since the 1970s (Hirao et al., 1986;Hoshika et al., 1991) by enforcement of environmental policiesand domestic regulations. As mentioned previously, similar environmentalregulations have recently been applied in some developingAsian countries (Shelton and Kiss, 2005), although declinesin heavy metal pollution have not yet been reported, except inManila, as reported in this study. Our results suggest that we can expect to find similar signs of pollution decline in other Asiancountries as well.
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