THESIS TITLE IDEAS FOR MASAO RIVER WATER ASSESSMENT:

Focusing on the Problem:

 Impact of Agricultural Residue Accumulation on Water Quality in the Masao River, Caraga,
Philippines
 Understanding the Role of Farmland Runoff in Masao River Pollution: Implications for
Agricultural Practices and Biosystem Engineering Solutions
 Assessment of Agricultural Residue Load and its Influence on Ecosystem Health in the Masao
River Basin, Caraga

Highlighting Solutions:

 Developing Biosystem Engineering Strategies for Mitigating Agricultural Residue Pollution in the
Masao River Watershed
 Implementing Integrated Management Practices to Reduce Farmland Runoff and Improve Water
Quality in the Masao River
 Designing Sustainable Agricultural Systems to Minimize Residue Inputs and Protect the Masao
River Ecosystem

Combining Problem and Solution:

 From Farm to River: Assessing the Impact of Agricultural Residues on Masao River Water Quality
and Exploring Biosystem Engineering Solutions
 Masao River Water Quality Restoration: Addressing Agricultural Residue Pollution through
Biosystem Engineering Interventions
 Towards Clean Waters: A Biosystem Engineering Approach to Minimize Agricultural Residue
Impacts on the Masao River

TO JUSTIFY YOUR THESIS ON AGRICULTURAL RESIDUE POLLUTION IN THE MASAO RIVER, YOU'LL
NEED A STRONG FOUNDATION OF RELEVANT REFERENCES FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. HERE ARE
SOME SUGGESTIONS CATEGORIZED BY TYPE:

1. Scientific Research:
 Peer-reviewed articles:
 Focus on studies specific to water quality assessment, agricultural residue pollution, and
riverine ecosystems.
 Look for research conducted in regions with similar agricultural practices and
environmental conditions to the Masao River basin.
 Examples:
 "Impact of Agricultural Runoff on Surface Water Quality in the Philippines: A Review"
by Lasco et al. (2017)
 "Pollution of the Mekong River by Nutrients and Agricultural Residues" by Arias et
al. (2014)
 "Assessment of Agricultural Residue Decomposition and Nutrient Release in Rivers" by
Wang et al. (2020)
 Government Reports and Agency Publications:
 Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reports on water
quality assessment in Caraga.
 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publications on agricultural residue management
and environmental impacts.
  United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance documents on agricultural
nonpoint source pollution control.

2. Review Articles and Books:

 Publications summarizing current knowledge and research findings on agricultural residue
pollution, eutrophication, and riverine ecology.
 Examples:
 "Agricultural Pollution of Water Resources" by Vymazal (2007)
 "Nutrient Pollution of Aquatic Ecosystems: Sources, Consequences, and Control" by
Schindler (2006)
 "River Ecology and Management: Applied Science for River Systems" by Palmer et al. (2009)

3. Case Studies and Project Reports:

 Success stories of implementing biosystem engineering solutions to mitigate agricultural residue
pollution in similar environments.
 Examples:
 "Implementation of a Rice Straw Management System to Reduce River Pollution in
Thailand" by Jintana et al. (2018)
 "Effectiveness of Bioengineering Techniques for Controlling Agricultural Runoff in the
Mississippi River Basin" by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (2022)

4. Local Data and Reports:

 Reports and data from local environmental agencies or research institutions on the Masao
River's water quality.
 Information on agricultural practices and land use patterns in the Masao River watershed.

HERE ARE THE ESSENTIAL PARAMETERS TO MEASURE FOR A COMPREHENSIVE WATER ASSESSMENT
OF THE MASAO RIVER, SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING AGRICULTURAL RESIDUE POLLUTION:

1. Physical Parameters:
 Temperature:
Measure using a multiparameter water quality meter.
Ideal range for aquatic life: 20-25°C. (Image: Thermometer in water)
 Turbidity:
Measure using a turbidity meter.
High turbidity indicates sediment pollution from farm runoff. (Image: Turbidity meter in
water)
 Total Suspended Solids (TSS):
Measure using a gravimetric method.
Reflects the amount of residue particles in the water. (Image: Sample of water being filtered
for TSS measurement)
2. Chemical Parameters:
 Dissolved Oxygen (DO):
Measure using a DO meter.
Essential for aquatic life; low levels can indicate pollution. (Image: Dissolved oxygen meter in
water)
 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD):
Measure using a 5-day BOD test.
Reflects the amount of oxygen consumed by organic matter decomposition. (Image: BOD test
bottles in incubator)
 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD):
Measure using a COD test kit.
Indicates pollution from both organic and inorganic substances. (Image: COD test kit)
 Nitrates and Phosphates:
Measure using colorimetric or ion chromatography methods.
 Nutrients that can stimulate algae growth, but excess levels can lead to eutrophication.
(Image: Algae bloom in a waterway)
 Pesticides and Herbicides:
Measure using analytical chemistry techniques (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS).
Presence indicates potential contamination from agricultural activities. (Image: Agricultural
runoff containing pesticides)
3. Biological Parameters:
 Bacterial Indicators:
Measure using coliform tests.
Presence of fecal coliforms indicates contamination from animal waste. (Image: Petri dish
with bacterial colonies for coliform testing)
 Macroinvertebrate Diversity:
Collect and identify macroinvertebrates using sampling nets and a microscope.
Diverse populations suggest good water quality, while sensitive species may decline in
polluted environments. (Image: Sampling net for macroinvertebrates)
4. Residue-Specific Parameters:
 Total Residue Load:
Measure the total amount of residue in the water using gravimetric or filtration methods.
 Residue Composition:
Analyze residue samples to determine their chemical composition (e.g., cellulose, lignin,
nutrients).
 Residue Decomposition Rate:
Measure the rate at which residue breaks down in the water.

Additional Considerations:
 Sampling Frequency and Locations:
Collect samples at multiple points along the river and during different seasons to capture
variability.
 Data Analysis and Interpretation:
Use statistical methods to analyze results and identify trends or patterns.
Compare findings to water quality standards and guidelines.