Research Plan

A. Question or Problem:
Determine the concentration of Lead, Copper and Cadmium accumulated
by plants growing along the dumpsite area and examine if the plants can remove
the Lead, Copper and Cadmium concentration from the sediments.
B. Goals:
Determine the Lead, Copper and Cadmium concentration (ppb) present in
the sediments where the plants are attached to;
Determine the Lead, Copper and Cadmium concentration (ppb) present on
the leaves, stem, and roots of the plants to be studied;
Calculate the Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) and the Translocation Factor
(TF) of of the plants to be studied.
C. Method/Procedures:
The Sampling Site and Sample Collection
The researchers will investigate a study in the area to find for some
abundantly growing plants and will collect three kinds of plants from the
dumpsite area located in Barangay Villaflor Oroquieta City. The researchers will
also determine if the plants gathered have the ability to remove Lead, Copper and
Cadmium. In line with the collection of samples, the researchers will seek
permission from the officials to conduct a survey in the sampling site.
The researchers will determine and record the Global Positioning System
(GPS) points of the sampling site. The researchers will collect sediments and
samples of leaves, roots, stem/stalk which will be placed in a ziploc plastic

cellophane to avoid contamination, labeled, photo-documented and placed in an

ice box for preservation. These samples will be sent to University of San Carlos Water Laboratory, Cebu City, Philippines for laboratory analysis.

Identification of Samples
The confirmation of samples common name and scientific name will be
done by an expert of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology,
Biodiversity Research and Training Center in Mindanao, Tibanga, Iligan City.

Preparation and Analysis of Samples

Samples will be prepared and analyzed using the AAS, Cold Vapor
Technique Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer AA-6300 by the University
of San Carlos Water Laboratory, Cebu City, Philippines.

Analysis of Data
To analyze the data on Lead, Copper and Cadmium concentrations in
sediments and plants leaves,

stalks and roots; the Bioaccumulation Factor

(BAF) and Translocation Factor (TF) will be used. In order to calculate for its
BAF and TF the

following equations will be given:

BAF = Hg concentration in roots /Hg concentration in sediments

TF = Hg concentration in leaves/Hg concentration in roots

If the resulting BAF and TF is greater than 1, then the plant are hyper
accumulator of Lead, Copper and Cadmium and can be used for phytoextraction.
However, if the BAF and TF is less than or equal to 1, then the plants are
unsuitable for phytoextraction but can be used for phytostabilization, since it can
restrict soil-root, root-leaves transfers of Lead, Copper and Cadmium (Fitz and
Wenzel, 2002).
Waste Disposal
Handling the samples containing Lead, Copper and Cadmium will be
taken care of by University of San Carlos Water Laboratory, Cebu City.