Dolomite Destroys Cebu Corals Damaging Marine Ecosystem
DOLOMITE DESTROYS CEBU CORALS – Since the announcement of the Manila Bay white sand project, several environmental experts expressed concerns of its effects to the environment.
As the project went through, the marine ecosystem in the southern town of Alcoy in Cebu has bared fruit to these negative effects. According to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), corals within a 500-meter area of Barangay Pugalo’s waters were destroyed.
Heavy siltation from crushed dolomite spilling into the sea caused massive damage to corals. As such, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia ordered the Environmental Management Bureau to conduct investigations on the destruction of corals in Alcoy.
Garcia previously reported that Cebu was never informed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regarding the white sand project.
According to an article from Inquirer, the provincial government stated:
An inspection of the seabed in Barangay Pugalo, Alcoy, showed heavy siltation and damage to the area’s marine ecosystem, raising the possibility of the issuance of another cease-and-desist order against the mining firms
Furthermore, the statement reported that particles from crushed dolomite caused corals and the seabed to turn white. The change in color is a result of heavy siltation or water pollution caused by terrestrial clastic material.
As the water becomes polluted, the marine ecosystem in the area would be severely affected. Moreover, poor water quality also affects fish breeding areas and the destruction of corals which are home to several fish and marine life.
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