Analysis of heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) in mud press produced by sugar mills in Bukidnon [Philippines]
2007
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, Los Banos, Laguna (Philippines)-Department of Science and Technology
Press mud or filter cake, locally known as mud press, is a by-product of raw sugar manufacturing. It is used as animal feed, soil conditioner and fertilizer. It is a favorable growth medium for edible plants such as mushroom. Being a potential source of heavy metals, mud press should be carefully studied as it may be hazardous to plant growth and animal and human health. Its heavy metals content level such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury should be analyzed. Famador et al. (CMU) analyzed the presence of heavy metals in the mud press samples from two sugar mills in Bukidnon (BUSCO Sugar Milling Co., Inc. and Crystal Sugar Co., Inc.) [Philippines]. The analyses were done using the following methods: silver diethylthiocarbamate calorimetry for arsenic; flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) for cadmium and lead; and cold vapor AAS for mercury. The results were compared with the regulated maximum level for soil and feeds since mud press is used as soil conditioner, fertilizer, and animal feeds. Findings of the study revealed the following: Results indicated that the arsenic level in mud press from both sources was less than the detection limit of 0.04 ppm. There was no significant difference in the cadmium concentrations of BUSCO, 0.08 ppm and Crystal, 0.06 ppm. However, the lead levels in mud press between the two sugar mills, 1.92 ppm for BUSCO and 0.67 ppm for Crystal were significantly different. The mercury level in the mud press samples from BUSCO 155 ppb was comparable with that of Crystal, 403 ppb. The levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead in mud press from the two sugar mills were significantly below the recommended maximum level for soil and feeds. Although the mercury concentration was not significantly different from the regulated levels, it was quite alarming since the values were high. Recommendations of the study are presented.
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