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Application of Isotope Hydrology Techniques

by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute


in Water Resources Regions 2 and 10 in Support of the
Groundwater Resource and Vulnerability Assessment Project
of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(IAEA Technical Contract No. 17220/R0)

Prepared as part of the

IAEA Water Availability Enhancement Project


(IWAVE)

January 2016

FOREWORD
The IAEA Water Availability Enhancement (IWAVE) Project is intended to build capacity in
Member States for gathering and using scientific information to fully assess the availability
and quality of water resources. The Philippine IWAVE Pilot Study is the first Member State
pilot of the IWAVE Project, and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), together
with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), has partnered with the IAEA in the
Philippine IWAVE Pilot Study from the outset.
The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geoscience
Bureau (MGB) has launched a national Groundwater Resource and Vulnerability Assessment
project conducted in collaboration with the Philippine IWAVE Pilot Study. The MGB focused
its project first on two of the twelve Philippine Water Resources Regions (WRR) by
implementing new technical approaches and techniques to improve and accelerate the
collection and interpretation of hydrogeological data.
This project funded through the IAEA Technical Contract No. 17220/R0 has enabled the PNRI
to collaborate with the MGB in the design and application of isotope hydrology techniques
with data analysis and interpretation in Water Resources Regions 2 and 10 to demonstrate
effective and efficient approaches to groundwater resource assessment. Data collected and
information generated under this project are expected to be useful to MGB, the National
Water Resources Board (NWRB), and the concerned water districts by providing better
understanding of the sources and dynamics of groundwater recharge and in the assessment
of the vulnerability of groundwater system to contamination.
An important outcome of this undertaking is the enhanced appreciation of the NWRB, MGB,
and the water districts involved in the investigation, of the importance of isotope hydrology
approaches in improving the understanmding of groundwater processes. The water districts
realization of the vulnerability of the water supply to contamination and overexploitation have
elicited further interest in continuing investigations using isotope techniques in their
respective coverage areas. Moreover, the NWRB has declared the integration of isotope
techniques in the Philippine national groundwater assessment program.
The results of this investigations are reported in two chapters: Chapter 1 for Region 10 and
Chapter 2 for Region 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION TEAM/AUTHORS
Soledad S. Castaeda, Ph.D

Project, Leader, PNRI-DOST1

Norman DS. Mendoza

PNRI-DOST

Charles Darwin T. Racadio

PNRI-DOST

Raymond J. Sucgang

PNRI-DOST

Jennyvi D. Ramirez

PNRI-DOST

Lutgardo Larao

MGB-DENR2

Aniano Torres

MGB-DENR

Susan P. Abao

NWRB-DENR3

Ferdie Billones

NWRB-DENR

Joey C. Castro

NWRB-DENR

Luis S. Rongavilla

NWRB-DENR

ADVISERS
Alumanda M. Dela Rosa, Ph.D

Director, PNRI-DOST

Vicente S. Paragas

Executive Director, NWRB-DENR (until 2012)

Sevillo S. David, Jr., Ph.D

Executive Director, NWRB-DENR (from 2013 )

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute- Department of Science and Technology

Mines and Geosciences Bureau- Department of Environment and Natural Resources

National water Resources Board- Department of Environment and Natural Resources

ii

COLLABORATING AGENCIES
Water Districts in Region 2

Water Districts in Region 10

Aparri Water District

Del Monte Company Inc.

Cauayan Water District

Cagayan de Oro City Water District

Diadi Water District

Malaybalay City Water District

Ifugao water districts

Manolo Fortich Water District

Ilagan Water District

San Francisco Water District

Kalinga Apayao water districts

Agusan del Sur water districts

Metro Tuguegarao Water District

Agusan del Norte water districts

Santiago City Water District

Surigao del Norte water districts

Sta. Ana Water District

Misamis Oriental water districts


Vice Mayor Vergito Factura

Local Water Utiities Administration (LWUA)


MGB Regional Offices in WRR 2 and 10

iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recognizes the importance of water on the
international agenda as water shortages and competition for water becomes greater around
the world (IAEA, 2012). Hence, the IAEA Water Availability Enhancement Project (IWAVE)
was initiated, aimed at enabling Member States to enhance the availability of freshwater
through science based, comprehensive assessments of national water-resources. The
IWAVE Project was undertaken to build capacity within Member States and assist them in
gathering and using scientific information to fully assess the availability and quality of water
resources. It provides assistance to improve national capacity for collecting, managing, and
interpreting water-resources data, and to use advanced techniques to simulate hydrologic
systems for resource management. The IWAVE Project focuses on the fundamental
hydrological data and understanding that are essential for conducting a comprehensive
national water-resources assessment.

The Philippines, although endowed with abundant water resources, faces the threat of
resource scarcity, particularly with respect to groundwater for which demand has been
perceived to substantially exceed supply. The Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016
recognizes the problems concerning the water resources in the country which include, among
others, the lack of investment in water, inefficient water resource management, and the threat
to water security and sustainability of the impact of climate change. Rapid and uncontrolled
urban development has reduced aquifer recharge and has in some cases resulted in the
decline of groundwater levels and saltwater intrusion.

In view of the situation, the National Water Resources Board of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-NWRB) and the Philippine Nuclear Research
Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PNRI) have joined with the
IAEA in leading the IAEA Water Availability Enhancement Project (IWAVE) in the
Philippines, which has been underway since 2010.

A specific remedy identified to address the data and information gap particularly on
groundwater resources is the formulation and implementation of the optimum methodology
iv

for application of nuclear and isotope techniques in water resources assessment. Isotope
hydrology techniques are currently underutilized in the Philippines for the assessment of
groundwater resources. To demonstrate effectiveness and efficiency of these approaches to
groundwater resource assessment, the DENR MGB which has launched its Groundwater
Resource and Vulnerability Assessment Project (GRVAP), collaborated with the DENRNWRB and DOST-PNRI, under the Philippine IWAVE Project, in the design and application
of isotope hydrology techniques with data analysis and interpretation in Water Resources
Regions (WRR) 2 and 10. The isotope hydrology approaches that are developed and tested
will be replicated by the MGB into the assessment of the remaining WRRs in the future. The
application of isotope techniques is expected to accelerate and enhance the assessment of
groundwater resources in the country.

Field investigations were conducted with successful engagement of the Water Districts, the
regional offices of DOST, DENR-MGB, DPWH, NIA, and the LGUs through awareness
seminars and training on the application of isotope techniques in water resources
assessment.

The training particularly covered proper sample collection of groundwater,

surface water and rainwater, and sample handling and storage.

The study areas covered Region 2 in Northern Luzon (which consists of the provinces of
Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Viscaya, Ifugao and Kalinga Apayao), Region 10, Northern
Mindanao (Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental), and Caraga Region (Agusan
Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao Del Sur)

Stable isotopic

composition (oxygen and hydrogen) and chemical composition (major ions) of groundwater
and surface water were determined before and after the rainy season whenever possible, to
assess seasonal variations. Rain stations for isotope measurements in precipitation were
installed at selected areas. Samples of rainwater collected represented the integrated
precipitation for a one-month period and analyzed for stable isotope and tritium composition.
Mean residence time and age of selected groundwater samples were determined by tritium,
tritium-helium, and C-14 dating techniques. Isotope ratio of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in
water was performed using laser stable isotopes spectrometer and a continuous flow isotope
ratio mass spectrometer. Tritium analysis was performed by electrolytic enrichment prior to
determination of tritium activity by low level liquid scintillation counting. Carbon 14 activity
was measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). 3He was determined at the Isotope
Hydrology Laboratory of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria.
v

Benchmark isotopic composition of the water sources in the regions were obtained and
mapped. The isotopic indeces of freshwater sources were established.

In Region 10, water samples from springs, deep wells, hand pumps and dug wells, and river
water were collected within the study area from September 2012 to June 2014. Monthly
integrated precipitation samples were also collected at different points within the study area
from October 2012 to March 2015. A total of 85 boreholes, 29 handpump/dugwell, 59 spring
and 36 river samples were collected.

The local water meteoric water line (LMWL) was established for Region 10 and this was
according to the equation, 2H = 8 18O + 10. Weighted means of -6.94 for 18O and 44.66 for 2H were obtained for the Agusan Basin and weighted means of 8.58 for
18O and -59.4 for 2H were obtained for the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin. These were used
as the isotopic indices for precipitation in the two basins within the study area.

Based on the isotopic signatures of the water sources in WRR 10, the region can be divided
into two major basins, namely the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, covering the provinces of
Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, and the Agusan Basin, covering the provinces of Agusan del
Sur and del Norte, and Surigao del Norte. The two watersheds exhibit significantly distinct
groundwater isotopic signatures. Local meteoric water lines of 2H = 7.86 18O + 9.93 was
established for Agusan Basin and 2H = 8.08 18O + 10.06 for the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin.

Agusan Basin groundwater are relatively enriched in the heavy isotopes compared to the
groundwater in Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin. This is attributed to different moisture source of
precipitation that feeds the two watersheds. The strong influence of precipitation on the
groundwater recharge is evidenced by the signature of precipitation during the high rainfall
months reflected in most groundwater and springs. Deep groundwater in the Agusan Basin
reflects the isotopic signature of rainfall in the rainy months of November to May,
corresponding to the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan. On the other hand, groundwater in the
Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, carries the isotopic signature of rainfall in the rainy months in this
basin, from May to July.

There are no apparent seasonal changes in the isotopic signature of deep groundwater in
vi

this area. C-14 dating of the deep groundwater in the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin appear to be
relatively young, from 80 pMC to more than 99 pMC. Groundwater dating in Cagayan de Oro
City using Tritium-helium resulted in water ages between 18 to 72 years. Recharge rates of
422 to 625 mm/year were calculated for Cagayan de Oro City. Chemical analysis also
suggests that the deep groundwater of the area can be classified under Ca-Mg-HCO3 type
of water which is also characteristic of dynamic groundwater systems.

In the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, groundwater flows from the uplands of Bukidnon down to
the coastal areas of the Misamis Oriental, probably originating from the KalataganKalatungan mountain ranges. In the Agusan Basin, water flows from the eastern mountain
ranges down to the plains of Agusan provinces.
An isotopic lapse rate of -0.06 /100 m was obtained for 18O and -0.53 /100 m for 2H was
calculated using the long-term weighted average of the isotopic signatures of the precipitation
samples versus elevation. However, these values are significantly small compared with the
global average and observed data in the Philippines. Isotopic lapse rates were calculated
using springs, assuming their elevations as the point of recharge. Using the springs as
proxies, isotopic lapse rates of -0.17 18O and -1.06 2H /100 m were calculated for
Agusan Basin. For Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, isotopic lapse rate -0.24 18O and -1.4
2H /100 m were calculated using springs from Bukidnon. These values are in agreement
with the global average and observed values in some areas in the Philippines.

Shallow groundwater in both basins appear to be recharged by local precipitation, being more
enriched in the heavy isotopes compared to the deep groundwater. Shallow groundwater in
the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin fall also under the Ca-Mg-HCO3 type of water.
Spring samples for both watersheds also appear to be recharged by local precipitation with
a few exceptions which may be recharged at higher elevations.

CDO West groundwater is different from CDO East groundwater. CDO East water may be
influenced by the water coming from the Bukidnon area. While water in CDO West appears
to be influenced by local recharge as seen in the comparability of the isotopic signature of
shallow and deep wells. This may be due to the interaction between the unconfined and semiconfined aquifers.

vii

In Region 2, field investigations were conducted from 2012 to 2013 covering the provinces of
Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, and Kalinga Apayao. A total of 49 samples from shallow
wells, 107 samples from boreholes or deep wells, 3 samples from springs and 21 river water
samples were collected. In August 2013, selected deep groundwater in Cagayan, Isabela
and Nueva Vizcaya were resampled for tritium-helium groundwater age dating technique (3H3He).

Rain stations for isotope measurements in precipitation were installed at Calamagui (23

m.a.s.l.), Maguilling (40 m.a.s.l), Namaballan (32 m.a.s.l.) and Natallad, Watershed (221
m.a.s.l.) and integrated samples of monthly precipitation were collected

from June to

December 2012.
The WRR2 LMWL was established to follow the best fit line, 2H = (8.6 0.2) 18O + (13.3
1.8) with a correlation coefficient (r2) of about 0.984. This coincides both with the Philippine
Meteoric Water Line (PMWL). The annual rainfall index for WRR2 was estimated to be about
-7.3 18O and -50.5 2H.

Stable isotope values of deep and shallow groundwater from Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva
Vizcaya and Kalinga provinces generally plotted along the Philippine Meteoric Water Line
(PMWL) reflecting the effect of altitude and the proximity to the ocean on the isotopic
signatures.

Shallow groundwater in municipalities near the coast are most enriched in the heavy isotope
while shallow groundwater in municipalities near mountain slopes in Nueva Viscaya and
Aurora are most depleted in the heavy isotope. The shallow groundwater in Isabela exhibit
intermediate O-18 values. This trend indicates high contribution of local recharge recharge
from percolation of rain or influent water from river or irrigation water.
For Cagayan deep wells, the 18O values ranged from -5.4 to -8.4 , most lying along the
LMWL. The good permeability of soil favors local recharge. The enrichment in heavy isotope
in the coastal groundwater that was also observed in the shallow groundwater further reflects
the influence of local precipitation on the recharge. Meanwhile, the wide 18O range could be
attributed to the characteristic of well design (tapping multiple aquifers) or the heterogeneity
of geologic overlay throughout the Cagayan plains.

In Isabela Province, the deep

groundwater 18O values ranged from -5.4 to -9.0 . The more enriched values are
believed to be influenced by evaporation possibly from the contribution of river water. The
viii

deep groundwater in Kalinga Apayao Province exhibited of 18O values between -6.4 to 8.0. The relatively depleted isotope values are attributed to the fractionation of light to
heavy isotopes due to altitude effects.

Isotope values of samples collected from various segments of the Cagayan River, traversing
the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, and the rivers in Nueva Viscaya and Kalinga Apayao,
mostly lie along the PMWL. The relatively depleted isotope values in rivers from higher
elevation, particularly in Kalinga Apayao and Mountain Province are consistent with altitude
effects.

Observed isotope values lying above the LMWL may be an indication of

contamination from anthropogenic sources.

Only a few springs were sampled from the elevated areas of Kalinga Apayao and Nueva
Viscaya. The 18O values ranged from -8.8 to -9.8.

Groundwater samples collected from boreholes in Tuguegarao, Ilagan and Nueva Vizcaya
were determined to have detectable tritium and groundwater ages estimated using

3H-3He

dating technique ranged from 3 to 38 years old. Groundwater ages obtained reveal mixed
groundwater ages of about 9 to 28 years in Isabela, 33 to 38 years in Cagayan and about 3
years in Nueva Vizcaya.

This trend is consistent with the conceptualized direction of

groundwater flow, from the elevated area of Nueva Vizcaya to Isabela and downstream to
Cagayan.

The results of investigations in Region 2 provided insight on the general hydrological features
of groundwater and surface water alike. Findings based on isotope technique were found to
be consistent with previous hydrogeological investigations. Both shallow and deep
groundwater were found to be recharged locally by rain. The wide variability in stable isotope
range in shallow and deep wells can be attributed to differences in geological overlay along
the plains of Cagayan and Isabela province. Furthermore, factors such as borehole design
could have influenced the wide range in isotope values in deep wells as different aquifers
may had been tapped for freshwater production.

ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Subject

Page

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

iv

LIST OF FIGURES

xii

LIST OF TABLES

xv

CHAPTER 1 Application of Isotope Techniques in the Assessment of


Groundwater Resource in Region 10, Philippines
Abstract

1-1

I.

INTRODUCTION

1-2

II.

METHODOLOGY

1-3

1. Theoretical framework
1.1 . Principles of isotopic measurement

1-3

1.2 . Isotope fractionation

1-3

1.3 . Meteoric water line

1-4

1.4.

1-6

Groundwater dating

2. Study Site

1-7

2.1. Site Description

1-7

2.2 . Hydrogeology

1-9

2.3.

1-10

Climate and rainfall

3. Analytical parameters and method

III.

1-3

1-17

3.1. Sampling protocol

1-17

3.2. Isotope and chemical analysis

1-18

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1-20

1. Establishing the local meteoric water line

1-20

2. Variability in the isotopic composition of precipitation

1-24

2.1. Amount Effect

1-25

2.2. Altitude effect

1-26

3. Isotopic signatures of freshwater sources


3.1. Deep groundwater

1-28
1-28
x

Agusan Basin

1-33

Cagayan-Tagaloan

1-35

3.2. Shallow groundwater

1-40

Agusan Basin

1-43

Cagayan-Tagaloan

1-44

3.3. Springs

1-47

Agusan Basin

1-51

Cagayan-Tagaloan

1-54

3.4. Rivers

1-56

4. Moisture source

1-63

5. Groundwater dating

1-63

5.1. Tritium He

1-63

5.2. Carbon -14

1-70

6.. Water chemistry

1-70

6.1. Water Quality

1-70

6.2. Groundwater facies

1-72

4. CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES

1-73
1-76

CHAPTER 2 Application of Isotope Techniques in the


Assessment of Groundwater Resource in Region 2,
Philippines

Abstract

2-1

I.

INTRODUCTION

2-2

II.

METHODOLOGY

2-3

1. Study Site

2-3

Site Description

2-3

Geology and Hydrogeology

2-4

Climate and Rainfall Patterns

2-6

2. Analytical Parameters and Methods

2-8

xi

III.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION


1. Establishing the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL)

2-8

2. Shallow Wells

2-14

Cagayan Shallow Wells

2-22

Isabela Shallow Wells

2-23

Nueva Vizcaya Shallow Wells

2-24

3. Deep Wells

IV.

2-8

2-25

Cagayan Deep Wells

2-27

Isabela Deep Wells

2-32

Kalinga Deep Wells

2-34

4. Rivers

2-35

5. Springs

2-40

6. Groundwater mean residence time

2-42

CONCLUSIONS

2-44

REFERENCES

2-45

SUPPLEMENTAL FIGURES

2-46

GEOLOGICAL MAPS OF PROVINCES IN WATER


RESOURCES REGION 2

2-50

CHAPTER 3 Concluding Remarks


I.

IMPACT OF THE STUDY

3-1

II.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP STUDIES

3-2

III.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REGULATOR AND


OPERATORS

3-2

xii

List of Figures
1-1

Global relationship between monthly means of D and 18O

1-5

1-2

Water Resources Region X

1-8

1-3

Geological map of WRR 10

1-13

1-4

Geological Cross Section drawn using lithologic logs of COWD wells along
A A

1-5

Geological Cross Section drawn using lithologic logs of COWD wells along
B B

1-6

1-15

Geological Cross Section drawn using lithologic logs of COWD wells along
C C

1-7

1-15

1-16

Geological Cross Section drawn using lithologic logs of COWD wells along
D D

1-16

1-8

Locations of rainwater collection stations

1-20

1-9

Local meteoric water line of Agusan Basin

1-23

1-10

Local meteoric water line of Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin

1-24

1-11

Isotopic Gradient for 18O and 2H calculated from the wt. ave

1-27

1-12

Sampling locations of borehole samples and their 18O signatures

1-32

1-13

Isotopic signatures of deepwell samples from Agusan Basin

1-33

1-14

Boxplot of 18O of samples from the Agusan Basin

1-34

1-15

Plot of 18O vs. D of borehole samples from Agusan Basin

1-35

1-16

Isotopic signatures of borehole samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan

1-36

1-17

Boxplot of 18O of samples from Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin

1-37

1-18

Plot of 18O vs. D of borehole samples from Cagayan-Tagoloan...

1-38

1-19

Measured 18O of selected wells sampled at different times

1-39

1-20

Sampling locations of shallow well samples and their 18O signatures

1-42

1-21

Isotopic signatures of shallow well samples from Agusan Basin

1-43

1-22

Plot of 18O vs. D of shallow well samples from Agusan Basin

1-44

1-23

Isotopic signatures of shallow well samples from Cagayan-Tag

1-45

1-24

Plot of 18O vs. D of shallow well samples from Cagayan-Tag

1-46

1-25

Measured 18O of selected wells sampled at different times

1-47

1-26

Sampling locations of spring water samples and their 18O signatures

1-51

xiii

1-27

Isotopic signatures of spring samples from Agusan Basin

1-52

1-28

Plot of 18O vs. D of spring samples from Agusan Basin

1-53

1-29

Isotopic signatures of spring samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin

1-54

1-30

Plot of 18O vs. D of shallow well samples from Cagayan-Tag

1-55

1-31

Measured 18O of selected springs sampled at different times

1-56

1-32

Sampling locations of river samples and their 18O signatures

1-59

1-33

Isotopic signatures of river samples from Agusan Basin

1-60

1-34

Isotopic signatures of river samples from Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin

1-60

1-35

18O Contour Map of the Study Area

1-62

1-36

Correlation between air circulation and moisture transport patterns and


isotope distributions in the Asian summer monsoon region

1-37

1-63

Measured tritium expressed in TU of some water samples from CagayanTagaloan Basin

1-64

1-38

3H/3He

1-68

1-39

Piper Diagram of depicting the chemical characteristics of the water

ages of selected borehole samples in Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin

samples collected within WRR 10


2-1

1-73

Map of Water Resource Region 2 showing provincial boundaries and


administrative regions namely Region-2 (R-2), Region-3 (R-3) and
Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR)

2-2

2-3

Geologic Map of Water Resources Region 2 done by Quiazon and De


Luna (unpublished report)

2-4

2-3

Climate Map of the Philippines from PAGASA

2-7

2-4

Rain water sampling locations in Water Resources Region 2 (WRR2)

2-10

2-5

The WRR2 Local Meteoric Water Line (WRR2 LMWL)

2-11

2-6

Rainfall pattern in Namaballan, Tuguegarao, Cagayan in WRR2 (6A) and


Diliman area in Metro Manila (6B)

2-7

2-12

WRR2 LMWL showing individual data points from each of the rain
collection stations

2-13

2-8

Map location of shallow wells in WRR2 with Oxygen-18 values

2-14

2-9

Stable isotope data of shallow wells (depths ranging from 6 to 35 mbgl)


within Cagayan province

2-10

2-22

Stable isotope data of Cagayan shallow wells sorted down to its municipal

xiv

locations
2-11

2-23

Stable isotope data of shallow wells (depths ranging from 12 to 30 mbgl)


within Isabela province

2-12

2-24

Stable isotope data of shallow wells (depths ranging from 2 to 9 mbgl)


within Nueva Vizcaya

2-25

2-13

Map location of deep wells in WRR2 with Oxygen-18 values

2-26

2-14

Stable isotope data of deep wells (boreholes with depth more than 35
mbgl) within Cagayan province

2-15

2-32

Stable isotope data of deep wells (boreholes with depth more than 35
mbgl) within Isabela province

2-33

2-16

Piper Plot of Isabela Groundwater Chemistry

2-34

2-17

Stable isotope data of groundwater from deep wells (boreholes with depth
more than 50 mbgl) within Kalinga province

2-35

2-18

Map location of river samples in WRR2 with Oxygen-18 values

2-36

2-19

Stable isotope data of river waters within WRR2

2-39

2-20

Map location of spring samples in WRR2 with Oxygen-18 values

2-40

2-21

Stable isotope data of the spring water samples (n=3) collected from

2-41

provinces of Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Nueva Vizcaya


2-22

Mean residence time of groundwater in WRR2

2-43

List of Tables
1-1

Stratigraphic sequence in Cagayan de Oro City and its watersheds

1-2

Stable isotopes signature of precipitation samples collected from the five

1-11

rainwater collection stations from October 2012 to August 2013

1-21

1-3

Parameters of fit of raw 18O values and precipitation amount

1-26

1-4

Weighted and unweighted means of isotopic signature of rainfall collected


from WRR 10

1-28

1-5

Borehole water samples collected within WRR 10

1-28

1-6

Shallow well water samples collected within WRR 10

1-40

1-7

Spring water samples collected within WRR 10

1-47

1-8

River water samples collected within WRR 10

1-57

1-9

Measured tritium (TU), 3H-3He and C-14 ages

1-65
xv

1-10 Tritium-based categorization of groundwater age


2-1

Stable Isotope abundance of rain samples collected in WRR2 from June to


December 2012

2-2

2-6

2-27

Stable isotope values of deep wells (boreholes > 35 mbgl) in Cagayan and
Isabela, Kalinga and Nueva Vizcaya under WRR2

2-5

2-19

Stable isotope values of deep wells (boreholes > 35 mbgl) in Cagayan and
Isabela, Kalinga and Nueva Vizcaya under WRR2

2-4

2-9

Stable isotope values of shallow wells (boreholes <35 mbgl) in Cagayan and
Isabela Provinces under the Water Resources Region 2 (WRR2)

2-3

1-66

2-38

Stable isotope values of spring water samples collected within Ifugao,


Mountain Province and Nueva Vizcaya of WRR2

2-41

Groundwater Dating with Tritium and Tritium-Helium-3

2-42

xvi

CHAPTER 1
APPLICATION OF ISOTOPE TECHNIQUES IN THE
ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCE IN
REGION 10, PHILIPPINES

CHAPTER 1
APPLICATION OF ISOTOPE TECHNIQUES IN THE ASSESSMENT OF
GROUNDWATER RESOURCE IN REGION 10, PHILIPPINES

1Racadio,

CD., 1Mendoza, N.DS, 1Castaeda, S.S, 2Abao, S.P., Castro, 2J.,


2Rongavilla,

L., 3Beja R., 4Sinsuat, O., 4Larao, L.

ABSTRACT

Groundwater samples from springs, deep wells, hand pumps and dug wells, and river water
were collected within the study area from September 2012 to June 2014. Monthly integrated
precipitation samples were also collected at different points within the study area from
October 2012 to March 2015. Samples were analyzed for stable isotopes ( 2H and 18O)
tritium, helium, and C-14 for groundwater dating. Results showed that aquifers in the study
area are recharged by infiltrated rain during the heavy rainfall months (May to November for
Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, and December to April for Agusan Basin). Water in Agusan Basin
is isotopically enriched compared with the water in Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin. There appears
to be Interaction between shallow unconfined aquifer and deep semi-confined aquifer in
Cagayan de Oro City. Shallow aquifers appear to be recharged by local precipitation.
Groundwater in the study area is of Ca-Mg-HCO3 type, which is characteristic of dynamic
water with short residence time. Tritium-helium aging puts the water at ages between 18 to
72 years. Recharge rates of 422 to 625 mm/year were calculated for Cagayan de Oro City.
Keywords: isotope hydrology, groundwater resources assessment, Region 10 Philippines

I.

INTRODUCTION

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute


National Water Resources Board
3
Cagayan De Oro Water District
4
Mines and Geosciences Bureau
2

1-1

In the Master Plan Study of Water Resources Management of the Philippines (JICA, et al.,
1998). Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), one of the municipalities in Water Resources Region 10
(WRR 10), was one of nine major cities listed as water-critical areas. Groundwater is the
citys primary source of municipal water. With its fast growing population and booming
economy, its stock of groundwater is suspected to be already being over-utilized. This is
manifested by the drop in static and pumping levels of the water districts production wells in
recent years (Palanca-Tan and Bautista, 2003). The CDO Water District distributes water
throughout the city for domestic and commercial use. However, big companies and residential
subdivisions in the city which use large amounts of water daily operate their own wells.
Additionally, a large number of wells in the city do not have permits or are not registered with
the National Water Resources Board (Palanca-Tan, 2011). Aside from CDO, most of the
municipalities in the provinces within the WRR 10 also depend on groundwater, either from
deepwells or springs, as their source of water. Only two municipalities, Malaybalay City in
Bukidnon, and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, are known to use river water as their bulk
water supplies as of present. Aside from deepwells or springs, some households also have
also their own dugwells or handpumps.

One of the prerequisites for efficient management of a water resource is reliable information
about the quantity, flow and circulation of water within the resource that is being exploited.
The results of this study will provide policy-makers with this information to make sciencebased decisions and policies. This study aims characterize the groundwater systems in WRR
10 in terms of the sources of recharge and its recharge dynamics - groundwater residence
time and recharge rate.

1-2

II.

METHODOLOGY

1. Theoretical framework

1.1.

Principles of isotopic measurements

The water molecule contains hydrogen, with stables isotopes 1H and 2H and radioactive
isotope 3H, and oxygen, with stable isotopes 16O, 17O and 18O. Isotope ratio analysis involves
precise measurement, usually by mass spectrometry, of the less abundant heavy isotope to
the more abundant light isotope (e.g. 2H/1H, 18O/16O). This ratio (R) is reported relative to the
isotopic ratio of a reference standard. In the case of hydrogen and oxygen, the reference
standard is the Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW). The isotopic composition is
expressed in terms of the isotopic ratio delta value, , defined as (Mook, 2000):

={[

] 1 } 1000

(1)

where is reported in (per mil)


The notations 18O and 2H are used for 18O/16O and 2H/1H, respectively.

1.2.

Isotope fractionation

With the advent of sufficiently sensitive and accurate mass spectrometers, it has been
possible to detect differences in chemical as well as physical behavior of so-called isotopic
molecules or compounds, i.e. molecules containing different isotopes of the same
elements, such as HD16O and H218O. This phenomenon is called isotopic fractionation.
Changes in the isotopic composition occur during the transition of a compound from one
state to another (liquid water to water vapor) or into another compound (CO 2 to plant
organic carbon). Differences in isotopic composition can also be observed between two
compounds in chemical equilibrium (dissolved bicarbonate and carbon dioxide) or in
physical equilibrium (liquid water and water vapor). The extent of fractionation can be used
to explain various environmental phenomena (Mook, 2000).

The differences in physical and chemical properties of isotopic compounds are brought
1-3

about by mass differences of the atomic nuclei. The consequences of these mass
differences are two-fold (Mook, 2000):

1. The heavier isotopic molecules have a lower mobility. Some practical


consequences are lower diffusion velocity and smaller collision frequency, thus
reacting slower.

2. The heavier isotopes generally have higher binding energies, thus having higher
heat of evaporation.

As a result of kinetic and equilibrium processes during evaporation from the ocean and
subsequent condensation, the ratios of the stable isotopes of hydrogen (H and 2H or
deuterium) and oxygen (16O and

18O)

in water within a particular airmass vary with

temperature during condensation and with relative humidity during evaporation (Clark and
Fritz, 1997). The stable isotope ratios of water vapor in an air mass reflect the origin of the
air mass, and the ratios in the precipitation that evolves from the air mass reflect both the
origin of the air mass and the conditions under which condensation occurs. As an air mass
travels away from the ocean (or other source areas for water vapor) and precipitation
occurs, precipitation that is enriched in the heavier isotopes leaves the airmass first. The
remaining water vapor then is composed of lighter isotopes. Subsequent precipitation has
an increasingly lighter stable isotope composition.

1.3.

Meteoric Water Line

In all processes concerning the evaporation and condensation of water, hydrogen


isotopes are fractionated in a similar fashion to those of oxygen isotopes, albeit with a
different magnitude, because a corresponding difference in vapor pressures exists
between H2O and HDO in one case and H216O and H218O in the other.

1-4

Figure 1-1 Global relationship between monthly means of D and 18O in precipitation, derived for all
stations of the IAEA global network. Line indicates the global meteoric water line (MWL) (after Rozanski et
al. 1993)

Therefore, the hydrogen and oxygen isotope distributions are correlated for meteoric
waters. Craig (1961) first defined the generalized relationship:
= 8 18 + 10

which describes the interdependence of H- and O-isotope ratios in meteoric waters on a


global scale.
This relationship, shown in Fig. 1-1, is described in the literature as the Global Meteoric
Water Line (GMWL).

Neither the numerical coefficient 8 nor the constant 10, also called the deuterium excess
d, are constant in nature. Both may vary depending on the conditions of evaporation,
vapor transport and precipitation and, as a result, offer insight into climatic processes. The
deuterium excess d is a valuable tool to derive information on relative humidities.

1-5

A meteoric water line provides the benchmark for determining the origin of fluids and the
processes that have taken place to reflect the dynamics of flow or mixing. As such, it is
considered as a fundamental pre-requisite for interpreting isotopic results. A local
meteoric water line shows the correlation between the isotopic composition of hydrogen
and oxygen in local precipitation. Deviation from the line indicates mixing or isotopic
exchange with other sources such as mixing with evaporated water or mixing with
seawater, water-rock interaction, or microbial degradation.

1.4.

Groundwater dating

Groundwater age or residence time is defined as the time that a water parcel spent in the
saturated subsurface between the recharge and sampling at a well or natural discharge
point, or the time since the last contact with the atmosphere. For dating young
groundwater, tritium or 3H is usually employed.

Tritium is the radioactive isotope of hydrogen and is naturally produced in the upper
atmosphere through the interactions between cosmic ray neutrons and nitrogen
(Ravikumar and Somashekar, 2011). Another source is the thermonuclear bomb tests
during the 1960s. It decays to helium-3 by emission of beta particle and has a half-life of
about 12.32 years. It behaves like stable hydrogen and can replace one or both of
hydrogen in the water molecule. Being part of the water, tritium is an ideal tracer to date
groundwater with residence time of less than 50 years.

For older waters of to 1000 years, radiocarbon or

14C

is employed. Carbon-14 or

radioactive carbon is naturally formed in the upper atmosphere through the interaction of
cosmic ray neutrons and nitrogen. Anthropogenic sources include the thermonuclear
bomb tests during the 1960s. Carbon-14 decays to nitrogen-14 through the emission of
beta particles. It has a half-life of about 5730 years. Carbon-14 is oxidized into 14CO2 and
mixes with the inactive CO2.

14CO

molecules enter the oceans and living marine

organisms and some are assimilated by plants (Clark and Fritz, 1997; Kazemi, Lehr and
Perrochet, 2006).
Although rainwater contains some 14CO2 from the atmosphere, it is the soil zone that gives
1-6

recharging groundwater its radiocarbon signal. Atmospheric

14C

is incorporated into

vegetation by photosynthesis and later released in the soil by decay and root respiration.
The result is a huge reservoir of 14C in the soil zone. As groundwater passes through the
soil zone, it dissolves some of these carbon-14 containing materials and thus becomes
part of water as dissolved inorganic carbon. If the 14C gained in the soils remains with the
groundwater along the flow path without subsequent dilution, its decay can be used as a
measure of age. However, this is rarely the case as dilutions and loss by geochemical
reactions occurs both within the soil and along the flow path and therefore corrections
must be made to obtain a more accurate 14C age.

2. Study Site

2.1.

Site description

This study is conducted on the Water Resources Region 10 (WRR 10) of the Philippines
(Figure 1-2). It is located south of the Philippines at the northern part of Mindanao Island
within the latitudes 8 20 0E to 10 10 0E and longitudes 124 20 0N to 126 10 10N.
It covers the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental (Region 10);
Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao Del Sur (Caraga
Region). It has an area of about 25,000 km2. A mountain range crosses the middle of the
study area, effectively dividing it into two major basins, the Agusan River Basin in the east,
and the Cagayan-Tagaloan River Basins in the west. The region is characterized by
mountainous areas, flat and rolling lands. More than 60% of Northern Mindanao's total
land area are classified as forest land. Figure 1-2 shows the delineation of these basins
and the location of sampling points.

1-7

Figure 1-2 Water Resources Region X. On the east is the Agusan River Basin (blue color). On the west, is the
Cagayan and Tagaloan River Basins (pink and green, respectively)? For the purposes of the study, the study
area is divided into Agusan Basin and Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin.

1-8

2.2.

Hydrogeology

The study area is characterized by three (3) major hydrogeological features:

a) Extensive and highly productive aquifers to some localized and less


productive aquifers are generally localized near coastal margins and major
northwest-southeast trending river basin such as the Agusan and Tignapoloan
River. Alluvium is generally source for groundwater lying at moderate to shallow
depths. These areas are underlain by alluvial and unconsolidated pyroclastic
rocks which hold sufficient groundwater reserves that can be used for domestic
need and irrigation purposes. Water table movements are controlled by the
elevation of the land. In Cagayan de Oro City where most of the deep wells
investigated are located, the main aquifer is characterized as an unconfined
alluvial aquifer with primary porosity;

b) Rock in which flow is dominantly through fractured and/or solution


cavities and openings characterized by fairly extensive to less extensive
with moderate to low potential recharge. This groundwater reservoir is used
extensively for domestic purposes in the region. The average depth of wells in
these areas is 60m although wells of depth of 200m were drilled in some areas.
Areas include under this rock type are the southwestern border of Cagayan de
Oro City. Rocks under this classification are generally with high porosities, but
of low coefficient of permeability.

c) Localized groundwater regions underlain by impermeable rocks generally


without significant groundwater except in reservoir with sufficient leached
and/or fractured zone. Much of these areas can be gleaned along high altitude
mountain ranges, ridges and upslope of Mt. Kitanglad and Kalatungan in the
southern slopes of Cagayan de Oro. Groundwater is largely confined along
fractures with very tight openings. Very few wells are observed to be located in
this rock type.

1-9

2.3.

Climate and rainfall patterns

Based on the Modified Coronas Climate Classification, three climates prevail in the
Cagayan Tagaloan Basin: Type II climate is experienced by the provinces of Camiguin
and Misamis Occidental. This is characterized by no dry season but with a very
pronounced maximum rain period from November to January. Type III climate prevail in
Misamis Oriental and central Bukidnon, characterized by relatively dry periods from
November to April and wet during the rest of the year. Areas covered are partly sheltered
from trade winds (Amihan or Northeast Monsoon) but are open to Habagat (Southwest
Monsoon) and are frequented by tropical cyclones.

Type IV climate prevail in for

Northeastern Misamis Oriental and the rest of Bukidnon where rain has more or less even
distribution throughout the year (Source: http://cagayandeoro.da.gov.ph/about-us/da-rfu10/). Type II climate prevails in the Agusan Basin. Data from the rainfall monitoring of the
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA),
the Philippine weather authority, at their Butuan City and Cagayan de Oro City Stations,
show monthly average of more or less 200 mm of rain for both basins.

2.4.

Geology and aquifer setting

Cagayan de Oro City and the enclosing watersheds are underlain by a sequence of
volcanic rocks and overlain by alluvial deposits with limestones intrusives, metamorphic
rocks and ultramatic rocks.

Table 1-1 presents the inferred stratigraphic sequence including the presumptive
hydrogeological characteristics.

1-10

Table 1-1. Stratigraphic sequence in Cagayan de Oro City and its watersheds (adapted from NWRB, 2014)
Formation

Lithology/

Geomorphologic

Hydrogeological

Composition

Location

Characteristics

Method
Tapping

Quaternary

Sands, Silts,

River valleys,

Water and non-

Shallow and

Alluvium

Clays, Gravels

coastal area

water bearing

deepwells

layers

Terrace

Consolidated

Hilly areas, plateau on

Limited water bearing

Gravel

sands, gravels,

the middle to lower

layers; acts mainly as

silts, clays

slopes

recharge medium for


alluvium

Unnamed

Basaltic flows

Volcanics

Volcanic cone,

Recharge area

dissected upper
lopes

Bukidnon

Sedimentary Rocks

Formation

Dissected hills at

Water and non- Water

Deepwell

lower slopes and

bearing Layers;

and springs

Plateaus at Middle

multilayered Aquifer

slopes

Opol

Sedimentary Rocks

Formation

Hilly areas at

Limited water bearing

Lower slopes

layers, facilitate recharge

Shallow wells

of alluvium

Indang

Limestone

Limestone

Capping at middle

Facilitates recharge via

slopes

cavities and fractures

Other

Metamorphic,

Inliers at middle

Facilitate runoff and

Formations

ultramafic, volcanic,

slopes

recharge to downslope

igneous

formations

The geologic map of study area is shown in Figure 1-3. Based on the geologic map and the
results of hydrogeologic mapping and analysis of available logs and well designs, three (3)
1-11

key geological formations which significantly affect the occurrence and movement of
groundwater in Cagayan de Oro City are identified. These are the quaternary Alluvium which
is the main aquifer, Terrace Gravel and Bukidnon Formation which is of sediments of
boulders, gravel, sand and silt. Groundwater occurrence within these formations is principally
controlled by their respective soil and rock components and their mode of deposition. The
Quaternary alluvium refers to unconsolidated interlayers of sands, clays, silts and gravels
which underlie the flat coastal area and valleys of Cagayan de Oro City. This formation
contains a permeable layer which corresponds to an unconfined aquifer that has been tapped
by the shallow and deep wells of various establishments. Based on the drilled depths of wells,
the alluvium is inferred to have thickness of 10 to 30 meters.

1-12

Figure 1-3 Geologic map of WRR 10. Deep wells are drilled in Quaternary Alluvium (R), volcanic plain (QVP),
and marine and terrestrial deposits (N3+Q1).

The Terrace gravel corresponds to the consolidated layers of sands, gravels, boulders set
in a matrix of sand, silt and clay which underlies elevated areas immediately adjacent to
the coastal areas of the valleys. It has the same composition as the Quaternary Alluvium
except for the higher degree of consolidation and higher elevation. The estimated
1-13

thickness of this formation could reach 170 meters but does not constitute a significant
aquifer. It acts as a recharge medium to the underlying Bukidnon formation. It contains
clayey and consolidated layers with limited permeability.

The Bukidnon formation underlies the Quaternary Alluvium along the coastal area, which
corresponds to tuffaceous sandstone, agglomerate, and conglomerate. The gravelly to
sandy layers within the Bukidnon formation corresponds to the multi-layered aquifers
tapped by the major production wells of Cagayan de Oro City. The lower stratigraphic
position with respect to the Quaternary Alluvium and the Terrace Gravel and the presence
of low permeability clayey and massive horizons favored the formation of semi-confined
aquifers.

The geological cross sections using well data from Cagayan de Oro was drawn using
Golden Software Strater 4 (Figure 1-4 to 1-7).

1-14

Figure 1-4 Geological Cross Section drawn using lithologic logs of COWD wells along A A. Unconfined and semi-confined
aquifers can be delineated in the cross-section.

Figure 1-5 Geological Cross Section drawn using lithologic logs of COWD wells along B B. An unconfined aquifer can be
delineated in the cross-section.

1-15

Figure 1-6 Geological Cross Section drawn using lithologic logs of COWD wells along C C. Unconfined and semi-confined
aquifers can be delineated in the cross-sections.

Figure 1-7 Geological Cross Section drawn using lithologic logs of COWD wells along D D. A semi-confined aquifer can
be delineated in the cross-sections.

The geologic formation is mostly quaternary alluvial and unconfined aquifer. There are
areas with unconfined to semi- confined consisting of rock type such as tuff, limestone
and sandstone. The middle layer is clay, identified as aquitard sandwiched by the upper
unconfined aquifer and the semi-confined aquifer. The unconfined aquifer corresponds to
the layers of gravel which underlie the coastal area and the valleys. This aquifer had been
tapped by shallow wells along the north to the east. This aquifer thickness is estimated
ranging from 10 to 30 meters.

1-16

3. Analytical parameters and methods

3.1. Sample collection

Four sampling campaigns were conducted to cover the whole WRR 10. Sampling in
Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, was done in September 2012, and in Agusan del Norte
and Agusan del Sur in November 2012. In January 2013, Surigao del Norte and Cagayan
de Oro City (CDO) were sampled. Samples were collected from boreholes (deep
production wells) dugwells (shallow domestic wells), springs, and rivers. Samples were
collected for

18O, 2H, 3H,

and chemical analysis. In August 2013, selected deep

groundwater was resampled for specialized dating analysis, 3He,

13C,

and

14C.

In June

2014, CDO was sampled for the second time. A total of 85 boreholes, 29
handpump/dugwell, 59 spring and 36 river samples were collected.
Sample collection for 18O, 2H, 3H, is simple, no sample filtration or preservation is required.
Double capped, glass or polyethylene bottle were completely filled directly from the source
or from a secondary container (a pail) making sure that there was no headspace. The
detailed procedures for collection of water samples for isotopic and chemical analysis are
described in an earlier paper (Castaneda, et al., 2012).

For

14C

- AMS analysis, deep groundwater samples were collected in 500 mL plastic

containers, fully filled and completely sealed. These were preserved by adding by adding
5 drops of an I2-KI solution per 100 ml sample. These were kept at low temperature until
ready for shipment to testing laboratory.

Samples for helium measurements were collected only from closed boreholes using
copper tubes to avoid leakage of gas in or out of the sample during transport and storage.
Before sampling, the well was sufficiently flushed (until electrical conductivity values
stabilized). After flushing the well, a tight connection to the copper tube was established.
A tight connection between well and sampler was ensured to avoid gas exchange with the
atmosphere. The water was allowed to flow through the connectors and copper tube until
no air bubbles were observed to avoid air contamination. The sampling system was kept
at sufficient pressure to suppress degassing to avoid loss of dissolved gases. The details
of the sampling procedure for helium and other noble gases are described by Matsumoto
1-17

et al., 2012.

Rain stations for isotope measurements in precipitation were installed at Agusan del Sur
(installed on November 2012; 195 masl); Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (installed on October
2012; 658 masl), Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon (installed on September 2012; 570 masl), and
Cagayan de Oro City (installed on April 2014 at Bugo and Macasandig, 18 and 6 masl,
respectively). The selection was made based on elevation and ease of logistics. Each
sample collected represent the integrated precipitation for a one-month period. Within a
month, rainwater was collected in the installed rain gauges. To prevent evaporation,
medicinal paraffin oil was placed on top of the rainwater to prevent evaporation. At the
end of each month, the total volume of the rain collected is recorded, and samples for
tritium and stable isotopes were taken. A total of 10, 13, 13, 9 and 7 month samples were
collected from San Francisco, Malaybalay City, Manolo Fortich, Macasandig (CDO) and
Bugo (CDO) stations, respectively.

3.2.

Isotopic and chemical analysis

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in water was performed
using laser stable isotopes spectrometer at Isotope Hydrology Laboratory of the
International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria and at Philippine Nuclear Research
Institute Environmental Laboratory, Quezon City, Philippines. The equipment measures
absorption around an optimum wavelength. Isotopic compositions are given as values,
the relative deviations to calculate molecular concentrations of 2HHO, HH18O, and HHO.
Molecular concentrations are converted into atomic ratios 2H/1H and 18O/16O and a post
processing procedure is used to calculate the delta scale () values with respect to the
Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW2). Uncertainty of analysis were 0.2 for
18O

and 1.5 for deuterium. Isotopic compositions are given as values, the relative

deviations with respect to the standard value, the Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water
(VSMOW 2).

Tritium analysis was performed at the HYDRSYS LABOR Analytical Laboratory Ltd. In
Budapest, Hungary. The analytical method used is based on MSZ 19387:1987 standard.
The volume of the water samples was reduced from 250 mL to 14-15 mL by electrolytic
1-18

enrichment with an enrichment factor of about 15-16. The tritium activity was determined
by a superlow level liquid scintillation counter with a detection limit of 0.5 TU. Some
samples were analyzed at Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Environmental
Laboratory, Quezon City, Philippines based on Mendoza et al., 2010. Volume of water
samples was reduced from 500 to about 15 ml by electrolytic enrichment with an
enrichment factor of about 28-32. The tritium activity was determined by a Packard low
level liquid scintillation counter with a detection limit of 0.3 TU.

Carbon-14 activity was measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) at the Centrum
voor Isotopenonderzoek in Groningen, Germany. Activities were reported in pmC.
3He

was determined at the Isotope Hydrology Laboratory of the International Atomic

Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria.

Major ions in water (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, and SO4) were determined at the Mines and
Geosciences Bureau Petrolab and Fast Laboratories Inc. Bicarbonates were measured in
the field by titration to pH 4.5.

1-19

III.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

1. Establishing the local meteoric water line (LMWL)

A total of 52 rainwater samples were collected from the five rain stations, the locations of
which are shown in Figure 1-8. Stable isotope signatures of these rainwater samples
collected were used to establish the local meteoric water line (LMWL) in the study area.

Figure 1-8 Locations of rainwater collection stations. Selection of locations was made based on altitude and
accessibility.

1-20

The raw isotope data for precipitation were weighted by multiplying the monthly isotope
signature with the monthly rain amount divided by the total rain amount. These data set
was subsequently filtered by computing the deuterium excess for each rain sample, D
excess = 2H 18O. A small deuterium excess (< 5 ) reflects evaporation in the
sample (Dansgaard, 1964). Three rain samples from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon were
discarded (Table 1-2).
Table 1-2. Stable isotopes signature of precipitation samples collected from the five rainwater collection
stations from October 2012 to August 2013

Station

Latitude

Longitude

Name

Elevation

Starting

Ending

Rain

(masl)

Period

Period

amount

18O

2H

Dexcess

(mm)
San

28-Nov-12

27-Dec-12

315.22

-5.37

-30.87

12.1

Francisco,

28-Dec-12

27-Jan-13

507.09

-4.71

-28.16

9.5

Agusan del

28-Jan-13

27-Feb-13

287.81

-5.42

-31.51

11.9

Sur

28-Feb-13

27-Mar-13

123.35

-3.62

-17.30

11.7

27-Mar-13

30-Apr-13

137.05

-5.48

-33.41

10.4

30-Apr-13

30-May-13

137.05

-4.86

-29.36

9.5

30-May-13

1-Jul-13

239.84

-8.02

-53.79

10.4

1-Jul-13

1-Aug-13

246.69

-11.83

-82.79

11.9

1-Aug-13

30-Aug-13

267.25

-11.94

-83.10

12.4

30-Aug-13

30-Sep-13

178.17

-7.87

-53.9

9.1

1-Oct-12

31-Oct-12

84.29

-7.17

-44.54

12.8

City,

1-Nov-12

30-Nov-12

50.71

-4.62

-35.84

1.1

Bukidnon

1-Dec-12

30-Dec-12

163.09

-9.54

-71.75

4.6

1-Jan-13

31-Jan-13

216.13

-8.74

-62.85

7.1

1-Feb-13

28-Feb-13

147.33

-11.67

-86.56

6.8

1-Mar-13

31-Mar-13

32.89

-2.28

-21.12

-2.9

1-Apr-13

30-Apr-13

90.73

-5.24

-35.74

6.2

1-May-13

31-May-13

99.36

-7.65

-52.51

8.7

1-Jun-13

30-Jun-13

185.91

-8.23

-55.43

10.4

1-Jul-13

31-Jul-13

186.40

-10.69

-74.13

11.4

01-Aug-13

31-Aug-13

241.89

-11.31

-81.4

9.1

01-Sep-13

30-Sep-13

58.22

-5.4

-36

7.2

01-Oct-13

31-Oct-13

143.66

-5.52

-36.4

7.8

26-Sep-12

25-Oct-12

111.70

-8.19

-52.6

12.9

Fortich,

26-Oct-12

25-Nov-12

59.62

-7.02

-46.69

9.5

Bukidnon

26-Nov-12

25-Dec-12

145.27

-11.90

-85.71

9.5

5-Jan-13

5-Feb-13

79.76

-7.66

-54.44

6.8

5-Feb-13

5-Mar-13

106.08

-10.99

-80.47

7.5

5-Mar-13

5-Apr-13

43.03

-4.59

-25.97

10.8

Malaybalay

Manolo

8.46697

8.16096

8.35625

125.99044

125.11923

124.86342

195

658

570

1-21

Station

Latitude

Longitude

Name

Elevation

Starting

Ending

Rain

(masl)

Period

Period

amount

18O

2H

Dexcess

(mm)
Macasandig

21-Mar-14

20-Apr-14

82.23

-6.31

-44.9

5.6

Booster,

21-May-14

20-Jun-14

54.82

-11.49

-81.8

10.1

CDO

21-Jun-14

20-Jul-14

199.00

-7.35

-49.9

8.9

21-Jul-14

20-Aug-14

63.18

-6.04

-41.1

7.2

21-Aug-14

20-Sep-14

128.13

-9.72

-66.2

11.6

21-Sep-14

20-Oct-14

130.73

-5.13

-30.1

10.9

21-Nov-14

20-Dec-14

64.72

-14.81

-109.2

9.3

21-Dec-14

20-Jan-15

97.17

-10.73

-77.5

8.3

21-Jan-15

20-Feb-15

33.17

-5.13

-29.3

11.7

21-Mar-14

20-Apr-14

68.53

-5.4

-34.2

9.0

Booster,

21-Jun-14

20-Jul-14

49.69

-10.96

-76

11.7

CDO

21-Jul-14

20-Aug-14

40.90

-6.37

-38

13.0

21-Aug-14

20-Sep-14

21.71

-8.56

-55.9

12.6

21-Sep-14

20-Oct-14

78.32

-5.21

-28.2

13.5

21-Nov-14

20-Dec-14

70.72

-11.68

-86.9

6.5

21-Dec-14

20-Jan-15

132.25

-11.04

-81.9

6.4

Bugo

8.46969

8.50885

124.64267

124.7711

18

The relationship of the isotopic composition of hydrogen and oxygen in local precipitation
in the Agusan Basin is shown in Figure 1-9. A simple regression analysis yielded a LMWL
of 2H = (7.86 0.14) 18O + (9.93 1.05), which can be rounded off to 2H = 8 18O +
10. A weighted mean of -6.94 for 18O was obtained by dividing the sumproduct of 18O
and monthly rainfall amount with the total rainfall amount. The same is done with 2H,
which yielded a weighted mean of -44.66 . These weighted means were used as the
isotopic index for precipitation in the basin. These values are comparable with the
established long-term isotopic index at the nearest GNIP station, Tugbok, Davao City, of
almost the same altitude, 240 masl. Tugbok, Davao City has isotopic index of -6.70 for
18O and -43.99 2H.

The climate of the basin is Type II with no dry season and a very pronounced maximum
rainfall. The maximum rainfall period occurs from November to February and coincides
with the northeast monsoon season or locally known as Amihan. Northeast monsoon is
characterized by cool and dry winds as opposed to the humid winds of the southwest
monsoon. Mountain ranges shield some of the effects of the southwest monsoon or
Habagat to the basin.
1-22

Figure 1-9 Local meteoric water line of Agusan Basin established from 10 monthly integrated samples from
November 28, 2012 to September 30, 2013 at San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

The relationship of the isotopic composition of hydrogen and oxygen in local precipitation
in the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin is shown in Figure 1-10. A LMWL of 2H = (8.08 0.14)
18O + (10.06 1.22) was calculated by simple linear regression using the precipitation
samples from Malaybalay City and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and Bugo and Macasandig,
CDO. Weighted means for 18O and 2H were also calculated for the data set. Values of
8.58 for 18O and -59.4 for 2H were obtained. These values were used as the
isotopic index for precipitation in the basin. A significant difference was observed when the
values are compared to the long-term weighted means at the nearest GNIP stations,
Lomundao, Davao City, and Ilomavis at Mt. Apo Geothermal Field, of about the same
altitudes, 505 and 740 masl, respectively. Lomundao, Davao City has isotopic index of 7.40 for 18O and -49.03 2H. Ilomavis has isotopic index of -8.06 for 18O and 50.23 2H. The basin falls under two climate types. Misamis Oriental and northern
Bukidnon, which includes Manolo Fortich, are classified under Type III which has no
pronounced rain period but relatively dry during the months of November to May.
Northeastern Misamis Oriental and southern Bukidnon, beginning from Malaybalay City,
have Type IV climate which has no very pronounced maximum rain period and no dry
1-23

seasons. These areas are partly sheltered from the tradewinds or Amihan but vulnerable
to southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones.

Figure 1-10 Local meteoric water line of Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin established from four rainfall collection
stations at Manolo Fortich and Malaybalay Bukidnon, and Bugo and Macasandig, CDO for the period of October
2012 to February 2015, excluding the discarded rain samples suspected of evaporation.

2. Variability in the isotopic composition of precipitation

Isotopic variations can be used to infer the atmospheric conditions at the precipitation site.
To this end the relationship between isotopes and precipitation amount and isotopes and
altitude were examined.

1-24

2.1.

Precipitation amount effect

To determine whether an amount effect can be observed in the dataset, 18O values are
compared with rainfall amount for each rainfall collection station. The data are fitted into a
model defined by:
18 = + ,

(2)

Where P is the precipitation amount of the sample and the parameters a and b are
determined by least squares fit. Using all the data for each station to fit into the model
showed that amount effect is relatively strong for Manolo Fortich (r2 = 0.66, 0.49) and
almost absent with the San Francisco, Bugo and Macasandig precipitations (r 2 = 0.002,
0.06 and 0.02, repectively). Variations in the isotopic composition of precipitations may be
cause by other factors other than the amount effect.
The relationship between precipitation amount and 18O has been considered also
separately for the two seasons as identified by PAGASA in the country: dry season
(December to May) and wet season (June to November). From table 1-3b it can be seen
during the dry season, variations in 18O of precipitation can be explained by amount effect
for Manolo Fortich, Malaybalay City and Macasandig, CDO. Amount effect is very weak in
the dry season for San Francisco. During the wet season, both San Francisco and
Malaybalay City exhibited fairly strong amount but absent in Manolo Fortich. The supposed
dry season is the period when rainfall maxima occur within the Agusan Basin.

1-25

Table 1-3. Parameters of fit of raw 18O values and precipitation amount for (a) all data; (b) dry season data
and (c) wet season data together with the standard error on the parameters and the r2 value.
a

r2

San Francisco

-0.001

0.01

-6.48

2.71

0.002

Malaybalay City

-0.03

0.01

-3.00

1.09

0.66

Malaybalay City*

-0.03

0.01

-4.12

1.56

0.49

Manolo Fortich

-0.01

0.01

-6.54

1.41

0.12

Macasandig, CDO

0.01

0.02

-9.40

2.62

0.02

Bugo, CDO

-0.02

0.03

-7.17

2.55

0.06

San Francisco

-4.12

104.40

50.19

517.00

0.04

Malaybalay City

-0.04

0.02

-1.96

2.62

0.65

Malaybalay City*

-0.03

0.04

-4.70

7.12

0.25

Manolo Fortich

-0.04

0.02

-4.61

2.41

0.40

Macasandig, CDO

-0.07

0.05

-2.31

3.90

0.66

San Francisco

-4.54

4.49

203.12

48.33

0.51

Malaybalay City

-0.03

0.01

-3.62

1.11

0.73

Malaybalay City*

-0.03

0.01

-3.96

1.44

0.65

Manolo Fortich

-0.01

0.01

-7.01

2.03

0.06

Macasandig, CDO

0.03

0.03

-12.27

3.41

0.21

Bugo, CDO

0.01

0.07

-8.83

3.98

0.002

(a) all data

(b) dry season

Bugo, CDO**

(c) wet season

* with discarded data (d-excess < 5)


** Insufficient data to make a reliable correlation.

2.2.

Altitude effect

To determine the altitude effect for Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, the weighted means of the
rainfall samples from Manolo Fortich, Malaybalay and Macasandig are plotted against the
elevation of the stations. The weighted means of each rainfall collection station (Table 14) are defined by the following equations exclusive of the discarded data having correlation
coefficients (r2) of 0.70 and 0.60 (Figure 1-11) respectively:
1-26

( 188.27)
0.0006

( 256.82)
0.0053

(3)

(4)

where h is the mean elevation of meteoric recharge (Gonfiatini et al., 1976) for 18O and
2H. The equations indicate that the average rainfall at sea level would have isotopic
composition of -8.27 18O and -56.82 2H. They correspond to a decrease of 0.06
and 0.53 , respectively, for every 100 m increase in altitude. These values are
significantly lower compared to the isotopic lapse rate obtained in Davao City, -0.22
18O/100m and -1.6 2H/100 m (Castaeda et al., unpublished report); Palinpinon,
Negros Island, -0.19 18O/100m for and -1.14 2H/100 m, (Gerardo, 1993); and
Leyte, -0.10 18O/100m and -2.5 2H/100 m (Alvis-Isidro et al., 1993). The global
average isotopic lapse rate reported by Porage and Chamberlain (2001) is -0.28
18O/100m. No isotopic lapse rate is calculated for Agusan Basin.

Figure 1-11 Isotopic Gradient for (a) 18O and (b) 2H calculated from the weighted
averages of the isotopic signature of rainwater samples against their elevation.

1-27

Table 1-4. Weighted and unweighted means of isotopic signature of rainfall collected from WRR 10
Station Name

Period Covered

Elevation (masl)

San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

28 Nov 2012 - 30 Sep 2013

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

01 Oct 2012 30 Sep 2013

Malaybalay City,

01 Oct 2012 30 Sep 2013

Bukidnonb

Weighted Average

D-

18O

2H

excessa

195

-6.94

-44.66

10.89

658

-8.63

-61.10

7.96

658

-8.81

-61.69

8.82

Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

26 Sep 2012 - 14 Oct 2014

570

-8.48

-58.20

9.61

Macasandig, CDO

21 Mar 2014 20 Feb 2015

-8.30

-57.07

9.32

Bugo, CDO

21 Mar 2014 20 Jan 2015

18

-8.78

-60.75

9.45

a D-excess
b with

= 2H 8 18O

discarded data (d-ex < 5 )

3. Isotopic signatures of freshwater sources

3.1.

Deep groundwater

The stable O and H isotopes of groundwater are generally considered to be transported


conservatively in the absence of high temperatures, waterrock interaction and significant
evaporation (Mandal et al., 2011). A total of 85 borehole samples have been collected
within the study area, 78 samples from the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin and 7 from the
Agusan Basin (Table 1-5). The lesser number of samples in the Agusan Basin is due to
the small presence of production well water sources in the area. The well locations and
their 18O are shown in Figure 1-12.
Table 1-5. Borehole water samples collected within WRR 10 showing their coordinates, elevation and
isotopic signatures.

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

Agusan del

Cabadbaran

Panlasian

Norte

City

Agusan del

Nasipit

Camagong

Buenavista

Malpok

SOURCE

ELEV,

D-

18O

2H

13

-7.25

-45.3

12.7

125.3352

13

-5.87

-37.32

9.64

8.9455

125.3983

14

-5.94

-37.01

10.51

8.947111

125.569

-6.29

-38.38

11.94

8.434417

125.7431

19

-6.34

-39.39

11.33

LAT

LONG

9.091306

125.5432

PS

8.963222

Deepwell No.

NAME

SRTM

excess

Norte
Agusan del
Norte
Agusan del

3
Butuan City

Baan

Talacogon

Zillovia

Norte
Agusan del Sur

Deepwell No.
14
PS

1-28

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

Surigao del

Surigao City

Serna

Bacaug

Bugsangon

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Kilaog

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Kisolon

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Alae

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Alae

SOURCE

D-

2H

14

-5

-28.81

11.19

125.6349

13

-5.55

-31.31

13.09

8.279194

124.9525

764

-8.1

-55.45

9.35

8.287583

124.9691

708

-9.19

-62.63

10.89

8.421833

124.8118

426

-7.87

-53.24

9.72

8.421833

124.8118

426

-8.08

-53.7

10.94

LONG

9.736722

125.488

Deepwell

9.579361

Kilaog-2A

NAME

ELEV,

18O

LAT

SRTM

excess

Norte
Surigao del
Norte

Artajo Subd.
PS
Artajo Subd.
PS

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Damilag

PCH-1 PS

8.363194

124.8124

574

-8.12

-55.54

9.42

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Damilag

PCH-1 PS

8.363194

124.8124

574

-8.06

-54.7

9.78

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Poblacion

Kihare PS

8.35625

124.8634

570

-8.28

-55.49

10.75

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Poblacion

Kihare PS

8.35625

124.8634

570

-8.26

-55.52

10.56

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Poblacion

Kihare PS

8.35625

124.8634

570

-8.12

-55.2

9.76

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Poblacion

Mulberry PS

8.361139

124.8619

544

-8.06

-55.16

9.32

Bukidnon

Manolo Fortich

Poblacion

Mulberry PS

8.361139

124.8619

544

-8.1

-54.5

10.3

Bukidnon

Libona

Poblacion

Sitio Yungkog

8.397972

124.7914

470

-8.3

-56.13

10.27

PS
Bukidnon

Libona

Poblacion

PS

8.333278

124.746

601

-8.02

-54.83

9.33

Bukidnon

Libona

Poblacion

PS

8.333278

124.746

601

-8.06

-54.4

10.08

Bukidnon

Impagsug-ong

La Fortuna

8.269722

125.0001

752

-8.85

-59.07

11.73

Bukidnon

Malaybalay City

Dalwangan

BSWM Well

8.210083

125.0332

906

-8.63

-57.63

11.41

Bukidnon

Malaybalay City

Dalwangan

BSWM Well

8.210083

125.0332

906

-8.69

-57.76

11.76

Bukidnon

Malaybalay City

Dalwangan

BSWM Well

8.210083

125.0332

906

-8.15

-53.5

11.7

Bukidnon

Malaybalay City

Patpat

8.221472

125.0753

838

-8.24

-55.18

10.74

Bukidnon

Malaybalay City

Patpat

8.221472

125.0753

838

-8.34

-57

9.72

Bukidnon

Impagsug-ong

Kibangan

8.278528

125.0018

714

-6.58

-46.7

5.94

Misamis

Lugait

8.332361

124.2517

17

-7.38

-47.69

11.35

El Salvador

8.55775

124.5156

47

-6.84

-48.36

6.36

8.77325

124.7939

39

-8.36

-52.85

14.03

Pump # 1

Oriental
Misamis
Oriental
Misamis

Balingasag

Napalisan

Gingoog City

23

PS

8.818917

125.1022

15

-6.26

-38.36

11.72

Gingoog City

25

Pandan PS

8.824944

125.0895

11

-6.09

-37.4

11.32

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Bugo

Deepwell No.

8.511222

124.7722

19

-8.01

-53.11

10.97

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

8.511222

124.7722

19

-7.93

-52.85

10.59

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

8.511222

124.7722

19

-8.15

-53.6

11.6

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

8.504528

124.7565

-8.05

-53.22

11.18

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

8.504528

124.7565

-7.88

-53.2

9.84

Oriental

City

Oriental
Misamis
Oriental
Misamis
Oriental

21
Bugo

Deepwell No.
21

Bugo

Deepwell No.
21

Bugo

Deepwell No.
11

Bugo

Deepwell No.
11

1-29

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Bugo

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

SOURCE
NAME
Deepwell No.

ELEV,

D-

18O

2H

17

-7.84

-53.2

9.52

124.7763

27

-7.93

-53.5

9.94

8.509667

124.7629

-8.07

-54.4

10.16

8.481917

124.7393

13

-8.4

-54.66

12.54

8.481917

124.7393

13

-8.26

-54.5

11.58

8.494806

124.7511

14

-8.1

-54.34

10.46

8.494806

124.7511

14

-8.2

-54.64

10.96

8.494806

124.7511

14

-8.17

-53.8

11.56

8.480889

124.7366

10

-8.16

-54.1

11.18

LAT

LONG

8.509806

124.7698

8.510861

SRTM

excess

20
Bugo

Deepwell No.
22

Bugo

Deepwell No.
5

Tablon

Deepwell No.
29

Tablon

Deepwell No.
29

Agusan

Deepwell No.
23

Agusan

Deepwell No.
23

Agusan

Deepwell No.
23

Tablon

Deepwell No.
28

Bugo

DW # 4

8.506694

124.7522

-7.32

-51.3

7.26

Bugo

DW # 5

8.507333

124.7635

13

-7.75

-53.9

8.1

Agusan

PS-1

8.496472

124.7447

-7.41

-50.7

8.58

Tablon

DW # 2

8.476167

124.7316

12

-7.13

-48.9

8.14

Bugo

DW # 1

8.500011

124.7506

-7.56

-53.4

7.08

Carmen

Deepwell No.

8.469111

124.6317

-7.86

-54.24

8.64

8.469111

124.6317

-7.95

-53.8

9.8

8.446083

124.6383

11

-7.88

-53.86

9.18

8.446083

124.6383

11

-7.97

-53.4

10.36

8.457361

124.6314

22

-8.04

-53.19

11.13

8.457361

124.6314

22

-8.18

-53.81

11.63

8.457361

124.6314

22

-8.06

-52.8

11.68

8.459556

124.629

50

-7.76

-53.8

8.28

8.470917

124.6503

10

-7.93

-54.24

9.2

8.470917

124.6503

10

-7.92

-53

10.36

27
Carmen

Deepwell No.
27

Balulang

Deepwell No.
19

Balulang

Deepwell No.
19

Balulang

Deepwell No.
14

Balulang

Deepwell No.
14

Balulang

Deepwell No.
14

Balulang

Deepwell No.
26

Macasandig

Deepwell No.
8

Macasandig

Deepwell No.
8

1-30

SOURCE

ELEV,

D-

18O

2H

-7.99

-53.5

10.42

124.6053

17

-8.01

-53.7

10.38

8.464361

124.6053

17

-7.86

-53.19

9.69

8.464361

124.6053

17

-7.85

-53.6

9.2

8.461722

124.6093

21

-7.6

-51.3

9.5

Bulua

8.507583

124.6081

10

-7.47

-51.99

7.77

Bulua

8.507583

124.6081

10

-6.58

-46.7

5.94

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Macasandig

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Upper

Oriental

City

Carmen

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Grand

Oriental

City

Europa

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Oriental

City

Misamis

NAME
Deepwell No.

LAT

LONG

8.469694

124.6427

8.464361

SRTM

excess

1
Canitoan

Deepwell No.
10

Canitoan

Deepwell No.
10

Canitoan

Deepwell No.
10

Canitoan

Deepwell No.
18

Patag

PS

8.490333

124.6207

30

-7.4

-49.9

9.3

Tinib

Deepwell No.

8.461583

124.6346

-7.92

-53.5

9.86

PS-N1

8.452944

124.6199

111

-7.35

-52.4

6.4

DW

8.431278

124.6106

148

-7.41

-52.4

6.88

Poblacion

DW

8.487889

124.6508

-7.75

-53.1

8.9

Cagayan de Oro

Upper

DW

8.451167

124.614

115

-7.69

-52.9

8.62

Oriental

City

Carmen

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

PS-S1

8.441167

124.6133

123

-7.48

-52.5

7.34

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Lumbia

DW

8.425

124.605

140

-7.46

-52.6

7.08

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Lower

PS-1

8.448333

124.6296

90

-7.63

-52.2

8.84

Oriental

City

Balulabg

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Pueblo

PS-S3

8.446722

124.6158

98

-7.32

-51

7.56

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Pueblo

PS-S5

8.436

124.6138

130

-7.61

-52.9

7.98

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Lapasan

DW

8.484333

124.6552

-7.48

-51.3

8.54

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Lower Mid.

PS 2

8.475167

124.6273

53

-7.63

-53.1

7.94

Oriental

City

Balulang

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Balulang

DW

8.454639

124.6312

45

-7.6

-52.6

8.2

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Cugman

DW # 1

8.473194

124.6905

-7.44

-50.6

8.92

Oriental

City

Misamis

Cagayan de Oro

Gusa

DW

8.470444

124.6724

37

-7.46

-50.6

9.08

Oriental

City

Note: Samples in Blue belong to CDO East while samples in Purple belong to CDO West.

1-31

Figure 1-12 Sampling locations of borehole samples and their 18O signatures. Borehole samples from Agusan
Basin have relatively enriched 18O values than Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin which may be due to the mountain
range crossing between the two designated basins and the source of precipitation. The difference is clearly
manifested in the generated contour lines. A general trend of depletion in 18O values from the coast towards
inland and upland can be observed in the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin

1-32

Agusan Basin

Borehole samples from Agusan Basin have isotopic signatures ranging from -7.25 to -5.00
18O and -45.3 to -28.81 2H. These isotopic signatures are plotted on the
established LMWL and are shown on Figure 1-13. Values plot along the meteoric water
line suggesting infiltrated rain as the primary source of recharge.

Figure 1-13 Isotopic signatures of deepwell samples from Agusan Basin plotted on the LMWL. Deepwell
samples from Surigao (upper two circles) are relatively enriched in heavier isotopes than samples from Agusan.
Surigao is nearer to the coast than Agusan. All samples plot, except the sample from Cabadbaran City, above
the isotopic index which may indicate local recharge or recharge from rains at altitude lower than 195 masl.
Sample from Cabadbaran City is recharged by rains at altitude higher than 195 masl.

A boxplot of the 18O signatures of the deepwell samples is shown in Figure 1-14. Isotopic
signature of Agusan Basin deepwell samples cluster between -6.5 to -5.5 18O. This
corresponds to the rain falling on the months of November to May, the rainiest months in
the Basin. To further establish the importance of rain falling on these months on the
recharge of the aquifers tap by the deepwells, meteoric water lines for the wet months
(November to May) and dry months (June to October) were established and the isotopic
signatures are plotted on them (Figure 1-15). All samples fall on the wet months meteoric

1-33

water line. Agusan Basin has Type II climate in which heavy rains fall from November to
May. This corresponds to the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan.

Figure 1-14 Boxplot of 18O of samples from the Agusan Basin. Reference lines depicting weighted means
are also drawn.

1-34

Figure 1-15 Plot of 18O vs. D of borehole samples from Agusan Basin. The local meteoric water lines (in wet
season and dry season) are added. All samples plotted on the local meteoric water line for the wet season. The
wet season corresponds to the months of November to May.

Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin

Borehole samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin have isotopic signatures ranging from 9.19 to -6.09 18O and -62.63 to -37.4 2H. Essentially, Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin is
two major basins: The Cagayan Basin and Tagaloan Basin, which divides Cagayan de
Oro City into the western and eastern parts, respectively. Tagaloan Basin is subdivided
into two parts: Bukidnon and east CDO. Isotopic signatures are plotted on the established
LMWL and is shown on Figure 1-16.

1-35

Figure 1-16 Isotopic signatures of borehole samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin plotted on the LMWL.
Borehole samples from Gingoog City (upper two diamonds) have relatively enriched signatures. These samples
are nearer to Agusan Basin and may have different climate regime. All samples, except a few samples from
Bukidnon, fall above the isotopic index.

The isotope signatures of the borehole samples in the basin fall above the established
isotopic index, which may suggest that the boreholes in the area are either recharged by
rains lower than 330 masl (average elevation of the basin) or by local rainfall. However, if
the long-term weighted mean from Ilomavis, Mt. Apo (740 masl), the nearest GNIP station,
is used as reference isotopic index (-7.84 18O, -48.83 2H), it appears that groundwater
from deepwells in Bukidnon, and east and west CDO are recharged from rainfall falling at
altitudes greater than 740 masl, while deepwells in West CDO are recharged by rainfall at
a slightly lower altitude (Figure 1-17). Certain samples from West CDO have isotopic
signatures that deviate from the LMWL, which may suggest evaporative enrichment.
These samples are private wells owned by subdivisions. It can be speculated that these
wells may be tapping a shallow aquifer in which rainwater do not infiltrate easily and may
be subjected to evaporation before reaching the water table. However, this speculation
needs to be supported by concrete such as well logs of these private wells, which are
1-36

lacking as of writing. Another possibility is that these wells are overpumping, leading to
down shallow water down-draft in the well. Shallow water, in most cases, are recharged
by rainwater which have been subjected to evaporation while infiltrating the soil matrix
before reaching the water table. This can be verified by time-series groundwater aging.

Figure 1-17 Boxplot of 18O of samples from Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin. Reference lines depicting weighted
means were also drawn

The isotopic signatures of the borehole samples are plotted on the established LMWL for
wet and dry season and are shown in Figure 1-18. Majority of the samples fall on the
LMWL for the wet season (May to November) suggesting the significance of rainfall falling
on these months on the recharge of the aquifers. These months are the rainiest in the
basin and correspond to the Habagat or Southwest Monsoon. The same samples which
deviate from the LMWL (Figure 1-16) fall in between the LMWL for wet and dry seasons,
while some fall on the LMWL for dry season. However, it is hard to speculate that these
1-37

wells get recharge during the dry month. It is useful to have these well monitored for
seasonal variations by sampling for stable isotope analysis at a monthly basis for at least
a year.

Figure 1-18 Plot of 18O vs. D of borehole samples from Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin. The local meteoric water
lines (in wet season and dry season) are added. Majority of the samples fall on the LMWL for the wet months.
Some samples from CDO West appear to be recharged by rainfall falling on the dry months. This rain may be
subjected to evaporation prior to infiltration to the water table, which in part may explain the deviation from the
LMWL.

A few boreholes have been sampled twice or thrice and their isotopic signatures are
compared (Figure 1-19a-c). Taking into account the error of analysis at 0.2 , only two
samples gave significantly different isotopic signatures (e.g. Sagatech and Artajo PS).
Only small variations are found in the other samples which are well within the error of
analysis. This variation was due to the hydrological features of the aquifer, which causes
the water bodies to be relatively homogeneous and not influenced by the seasonal
variation of the meteoric recharge (Mandal et al., 2011).

1-38

Figure 1-19 (a-c) Measured 18O of selected wells sampled at different times. No significant difference is
observed suggesting homogenous mixing of the aquifer

1-39

3.2.

Shallow groundwater (handpumps and dugwells)

Shallow well samples are important in establishing local recharge in shallow aquifers and
determine if there is an interconnection between shallow and deep aquifers. A total of 29
shallow well samples have been collected for the entire study area, with 5 from Agusan
Basin and 24 from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin (Table 1-6). The well locations and their 18O
are shown in Figure 1-20.
Table 1-6. Shallow well water samples collected within WRR 10 showing their coordinates, elevation and
isotopic signatures.

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

Agusan del

Magallanes

Caloc-an

SOURCE
NAME

Dugwell

LAT

LONG

9.0456

125.5286

ELEV,
SRTM

18O

-5.89

Norte
Agusan del

Butuan City

Taligoman

Handpump

8.9373

125.6325

36

-6.32

Malimono

Cantapay

Handpump

9.5453

125.4265

10

-5.54

excess

8.48

10.92

39.64

Norte
Surigao del

D-

38.64

Norte
Surigao del

2H

10.23

34.09
Surigao City

Ipil

Handpump

9.7932

125.4397

-4.09

-22

10.72

Surigao del

San

Diaz

Handpump

9.7689

125.4209

15

-5.63

13.82

Norte

Francisco

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Norte

31.22
Gusa

Handpump

8.4712

124.6805

16

-7.45

9.97

49.63
Iponan

Handpump

8.4946

124.6028

-7.54

9.68

50.64
Iponan

Handpump

8.4946

124.6028

-7.57

-51.4

9.16

Bulua

Handpump

8.5045

124.6037

-7.77

8.8

53.36
Bulua

Handpump

8.5045

124.6037

-7.82

-53.4

9.16

Pagatpat

Handpump

8.4477

124.5821

21

-7.84

-53.2

9.52

Bulua

Handpump

8.5045

124.6037

-7.9

10.06

53.14
Lumbia

Dugwell

8.3983

124.5958

159

-7.92

-53.5

9.86

Kauswagan

Dugwell

8.5024

124.6332

-7.93

-54.7

8.74

1-40

SOURCE

ELEV,

D-

18O

2H

15

-7.93

-53.5

9.94

124.6663

249

-8.07

-54.4

10.16

8.5059

124.6609

-8.26

-55.2

10.88

Handpump

8.3090

124.5814

277

-9.03

-59.5

12.74

Gusa

Dugwell

8.4786

124.6812

-7.4

-51.1

8.1

Bulua

Dugwell # 2

8.5051

124.6043

-7.72

-51.6

10.16

Bayabas

Shallow

8.5153

124.6379

-7.2

-47.9

9.7

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

LAT

LONG

Misamis

Cagayan de

Camanman-

Handpump

8.4677

124.6586

Oriental

Oro City

an

Misamis

Cagayan de

Indahag

Dugwell

8.4241

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Macabalan

Dugwell

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Dansolihon

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Tagaloan

NAME

SRTM

excess

Well
Kauswagan

Dugwell # 1

8.5049

124.6292

-7.31

-49.7

8.78

Maribuhok

Handpump

8.5162

124.8254

40

-7.97

10.2

Oriental

53.56

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Tablon

Handpump

8.4821

124.7379

-7.91

10.62

Misamis

Opol

Iponan

Dugwell # 4

8.5057

124.5979

-7.43

-49

10.44

Opol

Igpit

Dugwell # 5

8.5107

124.5859

-7.37

-51.7

7.26

Opol

Barra

Dugwell # 3

8.5094

124.6044

-7.79

-52.8

9.52

Opol

Taboc

Dugwell # 7

8.5188

124.5774

-7.32

-48.3

10.26

Opol

Poblacion

Dugwell # 5

8.5232

124.6379

-7.26

-51.1

6.98

52.66

Oriental
Misamis
Oriental
Misamis
Oriental
Misamis
Oriental
Misamis
Oriental
Note: Samples in Blue belong to CDO East while samples in Purple belong to CDO West.

1-41

Figure 1-20 Sampling locations of shallow well samples and their 18O signatures. Shallow well samples from
Agusan Basin have relatively enriched 18O values than Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin which may be attributed to
the mountain range dividing the two designated basins and the source of precipitation. This is also manifested
in the drawn contour lines. A general trend of depletion in 18O values from the coast towards inland and upland
can be observed in the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin.

The isotopic signature of shallow well samples during the study period range from 9.03
to -7.2 18O and -59.5 to -47.90 2H for the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, and -6.32 to 4.09 18O and -39.64 to -22.00 2H for the Agusan Basin. Similar to deepwell
1-42

samples, shallow well samples in Agusan Basin are relatively enriched compared to the
shallow well samples in Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin.

Agusan Basin

Isotopic signatures of shallow well samples are plotted on the established LMWL and are
shown on Figure 1-21. Values plot along the meteoric water line suggesting infiltrated
rain as the primary source of recharge. Precipitation during the months of November to
May appear to have the most significant contribution to the recharge of shallow aquifers
(Figure 1-22).

Figure 1-21 Isotopic signatures of shallow well samples from Agusan Basin plotted on the LMWL. Shallow well
samples from Surigao (upper three triangles) are relatively enriched in heavier isotopes than samples from
Agusan. Surigao is nearer to the coast than Agusan. All samples plot above the isotopic index which may
indicate local recharge or recharge from rains at altitude lower than 195 masl.

1-43

Figure 1-22 Plot of 18O vs. D of shallow well samples from Agusan Basin. The local meteoric water lines (in
wet season and dry season) are added. All samples plot along the LMWL for the wet months (November to
May) except for one dugwell from Caloc-an, which is near the coast. The dugwell may be subjected to
evaporative enrichment.

Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin

Due to high altitude, no shallow well can be found in Bukidnon. Shallow wells in CDO
have slightly enriched isotopic signature than their borehole neighbors. However, the
difference is only about 0.5 . Assuming that shallow wells are primarily recharged by
local rainfall, the small difference in the isotopic signatures can suggest that the boreholes
may be getting water also from the shallow aquifer. Intermixing of water from the
unconfined and semi-confined aquifers in the boreholes due to multi-aquifer tapping or
through leakage from unconfined to the semi-confined aquifer are the possibilities. A plot
of the isotopic signatures of the shallow well samples on the LMWL is shown in Figure 123.

1-44

Figure 1-23 Isotopic signatures of shallow well samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin plotted on the LMWL.
All samples fall above the isotopic index except the handpump from Dansolihon (277 masl), which is near
Talakag, Bukidnon. Two dugwell samples from Opol, Misamis Oriental exhibit evaporative enrichment.

The significance of rain falling on the rainier months in the basin (May to November) is
examined by plotting the isotopic signatures on the LMWL for wet and dry season (Figure
1-24). All samples, except two dugwell samples from Opol, MisOr, fall on the LMWL for
the wet season (May to November) suggesting the significance of rainfall falling on these
months on the recharge of the shallow aquifers. The dugwell samples appear to be
recharge by rains during the dry season, which may be subjected to evaporation prior to
infiltration due to higher temperature.

1-45

Figure 1-24 Plot of 18O vs. D of shallow well samples from Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin. The local meteoric
water lines (in wet season and dry season) are added. All samples, except two dugwell samples from Opol,
MisOr, fall on the LMWL for the wet months. Groundwater flowing to the dugwells may be recharged by rainfall
falling on the dry months. This rain may be subjected to evaporation prior to infiltration to the water table.

Two shallow wells have been sampled at least twice and is shown in Figure 1-25. The
small difference may suggest a homogenous mixing in the shallow aquifer due to aquifer
properties and not due to seasonal changes.

1-46

Figure 1-25 Measured 18O of selected wells sampled at different times. No significant difference is observed
suggesting homogenous mixing in the shallow aquifer due to aquifer properties and not due to seasonal
changes.

3.3.

Springs

A spring is a site where the water table of shallow aquifers meets the ground surface. A
total of 59 spring samples have been collected for the entire study area, with 27 from the
Agusan Basin and 32 from the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin (Table 1-7).

Table 1-7. Spring water samples collected within WRR 10 showing their coordinates, elevation and isotopic
signatures

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

SOURCE NAME

LAT

LONG

Agusan

Santiago

Curva

Curva Spring

9.25956

125.56214

ELEV,
SRTM

79

del Norte
Agusan

Nasipit

Camagong

Camagon Spring

8.96325

125.33517

13

del Norte
Agusan

San

del Sur

Francisco

Agusan

Bunawan

Karaos

San Andres

Karaos Spring

Alfred Spring

8.48922

8.19842

125.98558

126.01031

74

110

18O

2H

7.42

47.12

5.86

38.27

5.69

33.83

-6.1

-37

Dexcess

12.24

8.61

11.69

11.8

del Sur

1-47

ELEV,

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

SOURCE NAME

LAT

LONG

Agusan

Prosperidad

Poblacion

Gibong Spring

8.61119

125.91406

51

Rosario

Sta. Cruz

Maputi Spring

8.34556

126.06075

417

SRTM

del Sur
Agusan
del Sur
Agusan

San

Tinggagawan

del Sur

Francisco

Spring

Agusan

San

del Sur

Francisco

Agusan

Prosperidad

Salvacion

Bayobo Spring

8.59408

125.93047

108

Agusan

Bayugan

Pinagalaan

Pinagalaan

8.76483

125.80564

568

del Sur

City

Ormaca

Anagasian

8.48778

126.00083

148

D-

18O

2H

6.09

37.14

6.28

36.66

-34.3

12.5

12.68

5.85

34.12

6.19

38.44

6.97

43.88

-38.6

9.56

-31.4

12.12

12.5

5.47

31.26

5.95

34.73

5.37

29.58

-5.3

excess

11.58

13.58

5.85
8.45694

125.98917

91

Spring

del Sur

Spring Source #

11.08

11.88

3
Agusan

Bayugan

del Sur

City

Surigao

Claver

Makiangkan

Daywan

125.82833

244

Balibayon

9.55875

125.70844

29

Spring
Bacaug

Poblacion

Mainit

Binga

del Norte
Surigao

8.71667

6.02

del Norte
Surigao

Labao Spring II

Kag-alimpay

5.44
9.60378

125.63764

26

9.58022

125.49453

201

Spring
Binga Spring

del Norte
Surigao

Placer

Anislagan

del Norte
Surigao

9.61689

125.54100

231

Spring
Taganaan

del Norte
Surigao

Anislagan

Butuan

Payo Spring

9.67808

125.57458

34

Aurora
Lipata

del Norte
Surigao

Surigao

del Norte

City

Surigao

Malimono

Sison

Upper

Labjca/Dacuman

Dacuman

Spring

Serna

Soma Spring

9.81561

125.44897

65

9.72517

125.48050

52

Surigao

Cagti-nae

Cagti-nae Spring

9.64861

125.39372

13

Banda Banda

9.62183

125.50647

164

Patag

Spring

Del Carmen

Sayak

Botong Spring

9.85683

126.02931

37

San Isidro

Buhing

Bangon Spring

9.93806

126.06167

18

del Norte
Surigao
del Norte
Surigao

Kalipay
Del Carmen

Katipunan

Katsanon Spring

9.88406

126.01886

12

del Norte
Surigao

13.38

12.05

5.11

27.69

-5.3

13.19

13.74

28.66

Upper

del Norte

12.87

30.35

del Norte
Surigao

13.08

6.08

35.56

5.42

30.26

5.18

30.32

4.98

29.57

-30.6

10.68

10.36

5.15

30.84

-31.4

13.1

11.12

10.27

5.16
Del Carmen

Bagacay

Bagacay Spring

9.87250

126.03506

83

del Norte
Surigao

Surigao

del Norte

City

Rizal

Lumaban Spring

9.77192

125.44914

183

12.44

5.48

1-48

ELEV,

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

SOURCE NAME

LAT

LONG

Dinagat

San Jose

Cuarenta

Magkono Spring

10.02250

125.61278

192

San Jose

Cuarenta

Kamagong

10.01639

125.61694

280

SRTM

Islands
Dinagat
Islands

Spring

Bukidnon

Baungon

Bukidnon

Manolo

Pualas

Manolo

Mantibugao

Fortich
Bukidnon

Manolo

Mantibugao

Bukidnon

Manolo

Talakag

5.42

30.15

5.47

31.08

13.21

12.68

293

-7.4

-49.9

9.3

Minsoro Spring

8.50897

124.83333

114

10.4

7.68

51.04

7.82

53.21

-53.2

9.52

-54.7

8.74

-55.2

10.88

11.6

8.51

56.48

-56.1

12.06

-57.1

11.3

12.18

8.58

56.46

-56.4

12.72

-58.5

12.54

-59.5

12.74

13.34

9.05

59.06

-52.1

10.7

12.83

7.81

49.65

8.34

55.38

-52

11.92

11.39

8.33

55.25

-46.7

Tagbalola

8.42947

124.82822

390

Tagbalola

8.42947

124.82822

390

Mangima Spring

9.35

7.84
8.37803

124.87722

471

Fortich
Bukidnon

excess

124.65169

Spring
Mangima

D-

8.40742

Spring

Fortich

2H

Pualas Spring

Fortich
Bukidnon

18O

7.93

San Isidro

Linsahan Spring

8.25797

124.59692

382

8.26

Bukidnon

Bukidnon

Malaybalay

Uno

Kaamulan

8.16047

125.13206

628

City

Spring

Manolo

Kisabong Spring

8.33342

124.80569

537

Kisabong Spring

8.33342

124.80569

537

Fortich
Bukidnon

8.52

Manolo
Fortich

Bukidnon

Manolo

8.55
San Roque

Kilabong Spring

8.35042

124.91475

639

Fortich
Bukidnon

Malaybalay

Uno

City
Bukidnon

Bukidnon

Impagsug-

Kaamulan

8.16047

125.13206

628

Spring
Impalutao

Natigbasan

ong

Spring

Talakag

Bulangat Spring

8.64
8.25242

125.03439

773

8.09822

124.62122

597

8.88
9.03

Bukidnon

Impagsug-

Impalutao

ong
Misamis

Jasaan

Natigbasan

8.25242

125.03439

773

Spring
Kimaya

Spring

8.64372

124.77058

50

Oriental
Misamis

7.85
Lagonglong

Sapong Spring

8.79492

124.79414

Balingasag

Musimusi Spring

8.72297

124.79889

13

Oriental
Misamis
Oriental
Misamis

Jasaan

Corrales

Oriental
Misamis

Dumagang

8.61806

124.83083

299

Spring
Claveria

Barros Spring

7.99
8.62972

124.90694

785

Oriental
Misamis
Oriental

Opol

Taboc

Spring

11.34

8.51544

124.57242

17

7.22

6.74

1-49

ELEV,

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

SOURCE NAME

LAT

LONG

Misamis

Cagayan de

Cugman

Malasag Spring

8.44311

124.74636

428

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Cugman

Malasag Spring

8.44311

124.74636

428

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

Misamis

Cagayan de

Oriental

Oro City

SRTM

D-

18O

2H

8.12

51.94

-51.4

11.48

-52.6

10.04

-51.4

9.72

8.63

7.35

50.17

-54.1

11.18

-53.5

10.42

-53.8

8.28

excess

13.02

7.86
Agusan

Spring

8.48867

124.73642

7.83

Agusan

Spring

8.49739

124.74558

7.64

Baikingon

Bineyawan

8.45958

124.55700

64

8.38614

124.55239

82

Spring
Pagalungan

Sacolawa Spring

8.16
Pagalungan

Pagalungan

8.40556

124.56503

124

Spring
Bayanga

Monigue Spring

7.99

8.34978

124.55239

171

7.76

Mambuaya

Mambuaya

8.31869

124.59047

272

-7.6

-51.3

9.5

8.31878

124.59011

272

-52.7

9.3

-52.2

9.56

-51

8.68

Spring
Mambuaya

Mambuaya
Spring

Bayanga

Spring

7.75
8.35689

124.59581

206

7.72

Indahag

Spring

8.42425

124.63503

20

7.46

Note: Samples in Blue belong to CDO East while samples in Purple belong to CDO West.

Figure 1-26 shows the distribution of the springs in the study area and their respective
18O signatures. The isotopic content of spring samples during the study period range
from -9.05 to -6.74 18O and -59.50 to -46.70 2H for the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin,
and -7.42 to -4.98 18O and -47.12 to -27.69 2H for the Agusan Basin. Similar to
deepwell and shallow well samples, spring samples in Agusan Basin are relatively
enriched compared to the spring samples in Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin. Additionally,
springs located in higher elevation generally exhibits depleted 18O signature than lower
elevation springs in both basins. For example, Bukidnon samples have more depleted
isotopic signature than CDO samples (see Figure 1-17). Agusan samples have also more
depleted isotopic signature than Surigao and Dinagat samples (see Figure 1-14).

1-50

Figure 1-26 Sampling locations of spring water samples and their 18O signatures. Spring samples from Agusan
Basin have relatively enriched 18O values than Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin which may be attributed to the
mountain range dividing the two designated basins and the source of precipitation. The difference is also
manifested in the drawn contours. A general trend of depletion in 18O values from the coast towards inland and
upland can be observed in the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin.

Agusan Basin

Isotopic signatures of spring samples are plotted on the established LMWL and are
shown on Figure 1-27. Values plot along the meteoric water line suggesting infiltrated
rain as the primary source of recharge. Precipitation during the months of December to
1-51

April appears to have the most significant contribution to the recharge of springs (Figure
1-28).

Figure 1-27 Isotopic signatures of spring samples from Agusan Basin plotted on the LMWL. Spring samples
from Surigao (upper cluster of diamonds) are relatively enriched in heavier isotopes than samples from Agusan.
Surigao is nearer to the coast than Agusan. All samples plot above the isotopic index which may indicate local
recharge or recharge from rains at altitude lower than 195 masl. Only Curva Spring appear to be recharge by
rain at altitude higher than 195 masl.

1-52

Figure 1-28 Plot of 18O vs. D of spring samples from Agusan Basin. The local meteoric water lines (in wet
season and dry season) are added. All samples plot along the LMWL for the wet months (November to May)
except Camagong Spring and Labao Spring. These springs appear to be recharge by rains falling on the months
of June to October.

Springs can be used as proxy for establishing altitude effect under the assumption that
springs are recharged locally. Elevation of the springs is extracted from the Philippine
SRTM map and is assumed to be the elevation of recharge. Isotopic signatures of the
springs are plotted against elevation and the slope is the isotopic lapse rate. Using the
spring samples of Agusan Del Norte and Del Sur, a fairly good isotopic lapse rate of 0.17
18O and 1.06 2H /100 m was calculated. One point (i.e. Curva Spring) was
discarded in the calculation of isotopic lapse rate.

1-53

Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin
Isotopic signatures of spring samples are plotted on the established LMWL and are
shown on Figure 1-29. Values plot along the meteoric water line suggesting infiltrated
rain as the primary source of recharge. Using the weighted mean of Ilomavis, Mt. Apo,
groundwater from springs in Bukidnon and East CDO appear to be recharged at altitudes
greater than 740 masl, while springs in West CDO are recharged at a marginally lower
altitude than 740 masl (see Figure 1-17). Precipitation during the months of May to
November, the rainiest month in the basin, appears to have the most significant
contribution to the recharge of springs (Figure 1-30).

Figure 1-29 Isotopic signatures of spring samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin plotted on the LMWL. All
samples fall above the isotopic index except some samples from Bukidnon.

1-54

Figure 1-30 Plot of 18O vs. D of shallow well samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin. The local meteoric
water lines (in wet season and dry season) are added. All samples, except a spring from Opol, MisOr, fall on
the LMWL for the wet months, suggesting a significant contribution of rainfall from these months to the recharge
of the springs.

An isotopic lapse rate was also calculated for this basin using the spring samples from
Bukidnon. Elevation of the springs is extracted from the Philippine SRTM map and is
assumed to be the elevation of recharge. Isotopic signatures of the springs are plotted
against elevation and the slope is the isotopic lapse rate. An isotopic lapse rate of 0.24
18O and 1.4 2H /100 m was calculated. This has good agreement with the global
average lapse rate. Springs samples from CDO were also used to calculate isotopic lapse
rate but yielded unreliable results.

A few spring samples have been sampled twice and their isotopic signatures are compared
(Figure 1-31). Only small variations are found in the samples which are well within the error
of analysis (0.2 ). This variation was due to the hydrological features of the aquifer, which
causes the water bodies to be relatively homogeneous and not influenced by the seasonal
variation of the meteoric recharge (Mandal et al., 2011).

1-55

Figure 1-31 Measured 18O of selected springs sampled at different times. No significant difference is
observed suggesting homogenous mixing in the aquifer due to aquifer properties and not due to seasonal
changes.

3.4.

Rivers

Spatial distribution of the 18O in 36 stream water samples across the study area are shown
in Figure 1-32 (see Table 1-8 for the list). Rivers in the Agusan Basin exhibited relatively
enriched signature compared to the rivers in the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin. This reflects the
different source of precipitation inputs of the rivers in the two basins. The signatures are highly
variable and no clear pattern can be observed in the isotope signature of the major rivers and
their tributaries.
In general, river samples obtained at higher altitudes have relatively depleted isotopic
signature compared to the samples obtained at lower altitudes, reflecting the gradient in
precipitation signature with respect to altitude. Isotopic signature of rivers near its mouth may
reflect the intermixed isotope signatures from the river headwaters, its tributaries and other
sources of recharge.
All samples, except one from Agusan Basin, fall on the meteoric water line for both basins
with little evidence of evaporative enrichment (Figure 1-33 & 1-34). Almost all sampling date
corresponds to the heavy rainfall months in both basins. Only Calinawan River from Jabonga,
Agusan del Norte exhibit some evaporative enrichment (Figure 1-33).
1-56

Table 1-8. River water samples collected within WRR 10 showing their coordinates, elevation and isotopic
signatures.
PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

SOURCE

LAT

LONG

NAME

Agusan del

Jabonga

Bangonay

Norte
Agusan del

Jabonga

Colorado

Butuan City

SRTM

Dexcess

9.31950

125.55525

50

-5.97

-34.46

13.3

Calinawan

9.31794

125.52836

41

-4.44

-28.59

6.93

Baan

Agusan

8.94828

125.54708

-5.76

-35.39

10.69

8.17475

125.99361

24

-5.91

-35.21

12.07

8.16211

126.00942

30

-6.02

-35.96

12.2

8.43625

125.73792

17

-5.62

-33.68

11.28

8.44975

125.78931

16

-5.62

-34.02

10.94

8.61089

125.91428

52

-5.87

-35.74

11.22

8.27722

125.80894

21

-5.72

-34.97

10.79

8.73078

125.73003

21

-6.15

-38.23

10.97

8.67739

125.65967

12

-6.28

-39.05

11.19

9.77458

125.48031

-5.17

-29.3

12.06

9.55631

125.70942

17

-5.13

-28.06

12.98

9.57836

125.64108

12

-5.47

-31.1

12.66

9.55419

125.56817

54

-5.12

-29.35

11.61

9.55272

125.42331

-5.9

-35.57

11.63

9.62828

125.40147

22

-5.87

-34.02

12.94

9.62653

125.46756

129

-5.8

-32.7

13.7

RIver
Bunawan

Sur
Agusan del

2H

River

Norte
Agusan del

18O

River

Norte
Agusan del

Puyo

ELEV,

San

Simulao

Teodoro

River

Bunawan

Bunawan

Sur

Brook
River

Agusan del

Talacogon

Casilayan

Sur
Agusan del

River
Talacogon

Sur
Agusan del

San

Agusan

Agustin

River

Prosperidad

Gibong

Sur
Agusan del

River
La Paz

Poblacion

Sur

River

Agusan del

Bayugan

Sur

City

Agusan del

Esperanza

Andanan

Poblacion

Surigao

Norte

City

Surigao del

Claver

Daywan

Luna

Bacaug

Campo

Tubod

Poblacion

Tubod
River

Malimono

Cantapoy

Norte

Dinaligan
River

Malimono

Cagti-nae

Sison

Mayag

Norte

Norte

Bacauag
River

Norte

Surigao del

Baoy
River

Norte

Surigao del

Surigao
River

Norte

Surigao del

Wawa
River

Surigao del

Surigao del

Andanan
River

Sur

Surigao del

Adgaoan

Cuyangan
River
Mayag
River

1-57

PROVINCE

CITY

BRGY

Bukidnon

Manolo

Mantibugao

SOURCE

18O

2H

384

-8.1

-55.31

9.49

124.82828

384

-8.06

-54

10.48

124.80731

591

-70.84

11.72

LAT

LONG

8.42964

124.82828

8.42964

8.32147

NAME

Fortich
Bukidnon

Bukidnon

Manolo

Lunokan

ELEV,
SRTM

Dexcess

River
Mantibugao

Lunokan

Fortich

River

Manolo

Agusan

Fortich

Canyon

10.32

River
Bukidnon

Manolo

Agusan

Fortich

Canyon

8.32147

124.80731

591

-8.85

-57.3

13.5

8.33351

124.80583

537

-9.41

-63.37

11.91

8.14447

125.11850

614

-9.77

-65.72

12.44

8.14447

125.11850

614

-8.65

-56.4

12.8

8.18092

125.13542

701

-9.13

-59.8

13.24

8.19289

125.15350

654

-8.76

-58.31

11.77

8.19289

125.15350

654

-8.3

-54.2

12.2

8.57017

124.47642

15

-7.08

-48

8.64

8.50303

124.60486

-8.05

-54.38

10.02

8.50303

124.60486

-7.79

-50.9

11.42

8.77211

124.78336

16

-9.03

-58.61

13.63

8.46033

124.63503

-8.79

-58.69

11.63

8.46033

124.63503

-8.07

-51.8

12.76

8.54408

124.75961

11

-8.78

-58.86

11.38

8.54408

124.75961

11

-8.27

-51.8

14.36

River
Bukidnon

Bukidnon

Bukidnon

Bukidnon

Bukidnon

Bukidnon

Misamis

Manolo

Agusan

Fortich

River

Malaybalay

Sawaga

City

River

Malaybalay

Sawaga

City

River

Malaybalay

Kibalabag

City

River

Malaybalay

Can-ayan

City

River

Malaybalay

Can-ayan

City

River

Alubijid

Alubijid

Oriental

River

Misamis

Cagayan de

Iponan

Oriental

Oro City

River

Misamis

Cagayan de

Iponan

Oriental

Oro City

River

Misamis

Balingasag

Balatukan

Oriental

River

Misamis

Cagayan de

Cagayan

Oriental

Oro City

de Oro
River

Misamis

Cagayan de

Cagayan

Oriental

Oro City

de Oro
River

Misamis

Tagaloan

Sta. Cruz

Oriental
Misamis
Oriental

Tagaloan
River

Tagaloan

Sta. Cruz

Tagaloan
River

Note: Samples in Blue belong to CDO East while samples in Purple belong to CDO West.

1-58

Figure 1-32 Sampling locations of river samples and their 18O signatures. River samples from Agusan Basin
have relatively enriched 18O values than Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin. The difference in the isotopic signature of
the two basins is manifested in the drawn contour lines.

1-59

Figure 1-33 Isotopic signatures of river samples from Agusan Basin plotted on the LMWL. All samples except
the sample from Calinawan River, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, fall on the LMWL with no apparent evidence of
evaporative enrichment.

Figure 1-34 Isotopic signatures of river samples from Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin plotted on the LMWL. All
samples fall on the LMWL with no apparent evidence of evaporative enrichment.

1-60

4. Moisture source

Deepwell, shallow well and spring samples from Agusan Basin exhibit more enriched
isotopic signature than samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin (Figure 1-35). This
apparent difference was largely due to the mountain range dividing the two basin which
effectively shields the two basin from each other. Alternatively, the variance reflects the
difference in the climate regimes of the two basins. Based on their climate classification,
Agusan Basin is highly affected by Amihan or Northeast Monsoon while CagayanTagaloan Basin by Habagat or Southwest Monsoon. A snapshot of the isotopic signature
of moisture over oceans and island masses are provided in Aggarwal et al. (2004).

1-61

Figure 1-35 18O Contour Map of the Study Area

In Figure 1-36, it is shown than the Pacific Ocean (East) side of the Philippines has
moisture which have enriched isotopic signature while the Philippine Sea (West) side has
relatively depleted isotopic signature. It is highly likely that the Agusan Basin precipitation
are largely influenced by moisture from the Pacific Ocean while Cagayan-Tagaloan
precipitation by moisture from the West Philippine Sea. Another possibility is that the
mountain range forces rainout of precipitation travelling from East to West, thereby
precipitation falling on Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin are depleted of heavier isotopes.

1-62

Figure 1-36 Correlation between air circulation and moisture transport patterns and isotope distributions in the
Asian summer monsoon region (Aggarwal et al., 2004)

5. Groundwater Dating

5.1. Tritium and tritiogenic helium

Groundwater age or residence time is defined as the time that a water parcel spent in the
saturated subsurface between the recharge and sampling at a well or natural discharge
point, or the time since the last contact with the atmosphere. For dating young
groundwater, tritium or 3H is usually employed.

Tritium is the radioactive isotope of hydrogen and is naturally produced in the upper
atmosphere through the interactions between cosmic ray neutrons and nitrogen
(Ravikumar and Somashekar, 2011). Another source is the thermonuclear bomb tests
during the 1960s. It decays to 3He by emission of beta particle and has a half-life of about
12.32 years. It behaves like stable hydrogen and can replace one or both of hydrogen in
the water molecule. Being part of the water, tritium is an ideal tracer to date groundwater
with residence time of less than 50 years.

1-63

Residence time of 30 samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin was estimated using tritium.
Tritium values these samples are shown on Figure 1-37 and listed in Table 1-9. Due to the
absence of tritium input function for the Philippines and lack of tritium measurements of
same samples for different years, only qualitative information may be made to the obtained
tritium values.

Figure 1-37 Measured tritium expressed in TU of some water samples from Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin

1-64

Table 1-9. Measured tritium (TU), 3H-3He and C-14 ages of some deepwell samples.
3

Tritium
Source Name
(TU)

Error

H-3He

pM

age

(Percent

(NGT)

Modern)

Libbys
Age

Conventional
Radiocarbon
Age (CRA)

B O R E H O L E
Kihare PS

<0.5

BSWM Well

0.6

0.2

Deepwell No. 14

0.6

0.1

Deepwell No. 14

0.9

0.3

Deepwell No. 23

0.3

0.2

Deepwell No. 23

<0.5

Deepwell No. 21

<0.3

Deepwell No. 21

<0.5

Deepwell No. 10

0.3

Deepwell No. 10

<0.5

Deepwell No. 19

<0.3

Deepwell No. 8

<0.3

Deepwell No. 29

0.5

0.2

Pump # 1

1.1

0.3

Pepito Farms

0.9

0.2

Camp Evangelista

<0.3

31*

96.8

198

259

99.9

-53

39

84.3

1304

1365

68*

91.3

671

732

10*

91.0

696

757

26*

80.9

1645

1707

35

99.98

-59

1.4

0.1

PS
Sagatech Resort

0.7

0.2

S H A L L O W
Bulua Handpump

0.3

0.2

Bulua Handpump

0.4

0.2

Maribuhok

1.2

0.6

Tablon Handpump

1.0

0.3

Camanman-an

0.8

0.1

0.6

0.1

W E L L

Handpump

Handpump
Indahag Dugwell

S P R I N G
Malasag Spring

0.6

0.1

Bineyawan Spring

0.8

0.2

Sacolawa Spring

1.3

0.2

Pagalungan Spring

1.2

0.2

Mambuaya Spring

0.8

0.1

1-65

Tritium
Source Name
(TU)

Error

H-3He

pM

age

(Percent

(NGT)

Modern)

Libbys
Age

Conventional
Radiocarbon
Age (CRA)

R I V E R
Kibalabag River

1.7

0.4

Iponan River

0.7

0.2

R A I N
San Francisco

0.6 2.4

Manolo Fortich

0.5 0.9

Malaybalay City

0.6 1.5

Macasandig, CDO

0.6

Bugo, CDO

1.0

*Measured age is the upper limit


Samples in blue are COWD Wells.

Tritium concentration alone cant be used to date groundwater without the tritium input
function, but can be used to qualitatively determine whether groundwater is modern (less
than about 50 years in age) or submodern (older than about 50 years of age) (Clark et al.,
1997). Table 1-10 provides the tritium based categorization of groundwater age.
Table 1-10. Tritium based categorization of groundwater age (Clark et al, 1997; Zouari et al, 2003).

Groundwater Age (T.U.)

Categorization

< 0.8

Submodern waters (Prior to 1950s)

0.8 4.0

Mix of submodern and modern water

5 15

Modern Water (<5 to 10 Years)

15 30

With some bomb tritium

> 30

Recharge in the 1960s to 1970s

In general, borehole samples obtained at higher elevations have relatively higher


measurable tritium concentration than samples obtained near the coast. In one case, one
borehole sample (i.e. Sagatech) reflect the tritium of the neighboring river (i.e. Iponan
River), which is only a few hundred meters away from the well. There is no clear pattern
between depth vs. tritium concentration. It appears that for COWD Wells of depths 123 to
155 m, tritium concentration ranges from 0.3 to 0.6 TU (one well with depth of 155 m gave
0.9 TU). Deepwell samples ranges from submodern water to mixture of submodern and
1-66

modern water (e.g. <0.3 to 1.1 TU) and therefore have ages of at least 50 years old.
Shallow well generally have relatively higher measurable tritium concentration than their
neighboring deep well samples, which is expected since they tap shallower aquifers than
deepwells. Spring samples are the youngest in age compared with deepwell and shallow
wells. Nevertheless, in general, all groundwater samples are young with ages of at least
50 years.
Another method which uses the daughter of tritium, Helium-3, is the 3H-3He age. By
measuring 3H together with its daughter 3He, true ages can be determined through
calculations that do not rely on complicated tritium input function. In ideal circumstances,
the method is remarkably accurate for groundwater up to about 50 years old. Groundwater
ages can be estimated using the following equation:
3

() = 17.8 ln (1 +

)
3

where: 3Hetrit = component of 3He from the decay of tritium corrected for other 3He
sources such as the Earths atmosphere, small contributions from
spontaneous fission of lithium-6, and from uranium and thorium decay
3H

= tritium concentration in TU

Analysis of the tritiogenic helium of the same samples measured for tritium yielded ages
of 18 72 years (Table 1-9; Figure 1-38).

1-67

Figure 1-38 3H/3He ages of selected borehole samples in Cagayan-Tagoloan Basin

1-68

It is expected that water in recharge areas will have young ages while water in discharge
areas will have relatively older ages. This is particularly exhibited by water from the well
located upland of Bukidnon with an apparent age of 8 years relative to water from lowland
Cagayan de Oro with an apparent age of 68 years. However, in proximity to the well where
the 68 year old water was extracted is a well where groundwater drawn was determined
to have an age of 10 years. This can be explained by the fact that the production wells in
the study area are multi-screened so that the ages determined represent those of mixed
water from different aquifers tapped by the well. Based on lithological logs, the well with
groundwater age of 10 years is tapping the depths of 64 190 m which is similar to the
depths tapped by the well with groundwater age of 68 years. It can be hypothesized that
there may be a case of overpumping in this particular well field which causes shallow water
down-draft. In addition to taking water from several layers of the deeper aquifer, overproduction is taking some water from the shallower layers of the aquifer. The well field
(Bugo, CDO) where this well is located has a total of 5 production wells of varying
discharge rates compared to only 1 to the other well (Agusan, CDO). Alternatively, the
wells may be located in two different formations, which are sourcing groundwater
differently.

Recharge rate can be circulated by the formula:

= ( ) ln (
)

(5)

where: R = recharge (mm yr-1)


n = porosity
Z = thickness of the aquifer saturated zone
t = tracer-based groundwater age of a sample
z = depth of the sample (midpoint of the well screen) below the water table.

Assuming that the thickness of the aquifer saturated zone is the same that is tapped by
the borehole samples (72 130 m) and using average porosity of 0.38 for sand and gravel,
recharge rates of 422 to 645 mm/yr were calculated.

1-69

5.2. Carbon-14 age

Carbon-14 age was determined by measuring the C-14 of dissolved inorganic carbon in water
samples by atomic mass spectrometry. The obtained C-14 activity is corrected with C-13
activity to obtain the percent modern and finally the estimated Conventional Radiocarbon Age
(CRA). CRA is calculated using the following formula (Stuiver and Polach, 1977):

5568
100
1950
ln (
)
ln 2

1.029

where: 5568 = Libbys half-life of 14C


y = year of measurement
1.029 = ratio of 5730/5568
= decay constant equal to ln 2 divided by the

14C

half-life

5730 = modern accepted 14C half-life


pM = (14C/1000 + 1) *100

Table 9 shows that the percent modern component of the groundwater samples 80 percent
to more than 99 percent. This means that the groundwater samples have relatively young
ages. Conventional Radiocarbon Ages obtained ranged from 246 to about 1700 years with
two samples giving negative values. The negative values are probably caused by
contamination from 14C emitted from atomic bomb tests after 1950. This indicates that the
14C

in these samples is quite young, and the water must have been recharged (at least

partly) after 1950. This agrees with the tritium age as these same samples have
measurable tritium.

6. Water Chemistry

6.1. Water Quality


In Agusan Basin, pH ranges from 6.14 8.85 for deepwell, 6.06 7.66 for shallow well,
and 5.67 to 8.84 for spring. The lower limits are below the permissible limit of 6.5 for all
samples and above the permissible limit of 8.50 for deepwell (PNSDW 2007). Electrical
conductivities (EC, S/cm), which can give an insight to the Total Dissolved Solids of the
1-70

samples (500 mg/L limit as set by PNSDW 2007), range from 271 1090 for deepwell,
264 1094 for shallow well, and 124.6 1097 for spring. No standard is set for EC.
In the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, pH ranges from 4.35 9.52 for deep groundwater, 6.13
9.52 for shallow groundwater, and 4.75 8.84 for spring water. The lower and upper
limits are below and above the permissible limits of 6.5 and 8.5 for all samples,
respectively (PNSDW 2007) Electrical conductivities (EC, S/cm) range 6.19 to 2490 for
deep groundwater, 223 2130 for shallow groundwater, and 25.3 1530 for spring water.

Among the cations, calcium concentration ranges from 4.22 to 127.47 mg/L for deep
groundwater, 2.17 154.69 mg/L for shallow groundwater, and 28.52 180.82 mg/L for
spring water. Magnesium concentration ranges from 1.42 1281 mg/L for deep
groundwater, 1.64 94.51 mg/L for shallow groundwater, and 1.06 42.13 mg/L for spring
water. Potassium concentration ranges from 0.54 18.72 mg/L for deep groundwater,
0.38 146.07 mg/L for shallow groundwater, and 0.08 16.45 mg/L for spring water.
Sodium concentration ranges from 1.7 1072.3 mg/L for deep groundwater, 2.69 -360.92
mg/L for shallow groundwater, and 1.52 170.34 mg/L for spring water. No standard for
Philippine drinking water is set for calcium, magnesium and potassium concentrations.
For sodium, a limit of 200 mg/L is set. Based on the data, the upper limits of the ranges
for sodium concentration for deep and shallow groundwater exceed the PNSDW limit.
The sodium concentration for spring water is well within the accepted limit.
Among the anions, chloride concentration ranges from 0 2096 mg/L for deep
groundwater, 1.44 335.78 mg/L for shallow groundwater, and 3.49 141.35 mg/L for
spring water. The upper limit of the ranges for deep and shallow groundwater exceeds
the PNSDW limit of 250 mg/L. Sulfate concentration ranges from 0.21 55.36 mg/L for
deep groundwater, 1.03 92.2 mg/L for shallow groundwater, and 1.03 45.31 mg/L for
spring water. These ranges do not exceed the PNSDW limit of 250 mg/L for sulfate
concentration. Almost negligible nitrate concentrations are measured for the samples.

6.2. Groundwater Facies

Generally, the chemical composition of groundwater is primarily dependent on the type of


chemical reaction as well as the geochemical processes taking place within the
1-71

groundwater system. For the hydrogeochemical characteristics of the major and minor
ions with a view of determining the groundwater types and visualizing trends of
groundwater chemistry, the Piper trilinear diagrams are used (Piper, 1944).

Samples were analyzed for major ions and the results are plotted on a Piper Diagram
(Figure 1-39). Results shows that majority of the samples are Ca-Mg-HCO3 type, with a
few shallow wells falling under the Na-HCO3 type. The Ca-Mg-HCO3 type water can be
further subdivided into Ca-subtype and Ca-Mg-subtype. Some of the spring samples fall
on the Ca-subtype.

Dissolution of calcite and dolomite is the most important chemical process in the
generation of Ca-Mg-HCO3 type water. The Ca-subtype water is generally
undersaturated with respect to both calcite and dolomite. Ca-Mg-HCO3 type is
characteristic of water of dynamic water with short residence time.

1-72

Figure 1-39 Piper Diagram of depicting the chemical characteristics of the water samples collected within WRR
10. Majority of the samples are Ca-Mg-HCO3 type, with a few shallow wells falling under the Na-HCO3 type.

IV.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the isotopic signatures of the water sources in WRR 10, the region can be divided
into two major basins, namely the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, covering the provinces of
Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, and the Agusan Basin, covering the provinces of Agusan del
Sur and del Norte, and Surigao del Norte. The two watersheds exhibit significantly distinct
groundwater isotopic signatures. Local meteoric water lines of 2H = 7.86 18O + 9.93 was
established for Agusan Basin and 2H = 8.08 18O + 10.06 for the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin.

1-73

Agusan Basin groundwater are relatively enriched in the heavy isotopes compared to the
groundwater in Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin. This is attributed to different moisture source of
precipitation that feeds the two watersheds. The strong influence of precipitation on the
groundwater recharge is evidenced by the signature of precipitation during the high rainfall
months reflected in most groundwater and springs. Deep groundwater in the Agusan Basin
reflects the isotopic signature of rainfall in the rainy months of November to May,
corresponding to the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan. On the other hand, groundwater in the
Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, carries the isotopic signature of rainfall in the rainy months in this
basin, from May to July.

There are no apparent seasonal changes in the isotopic signature of deep groundwater in
this area. The deep groundwater in the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin appear to be modern to
pre-modern with 3H-3He ages ranging from 18 to 68 years. Chemical analysis also suggests
that the deep groundwater of the area can be classified under Ca-Mg-HCO3 type of water
which is also characteristic of dynamic groundwater systems.

In the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, groundwater flows from the uplands of Bukidnon down to
the coastal areas of the Misamis Oriental, probably originating from the KalataganKalatungan mountain ranges. In the Agusan Basin, water flows from the eastern mountain
ranges down to the plains of Agusan provinces.
An isotopic lapse rate of -0.06 /100 m was obtained for 18O and -0.53 /100 m for 2H was
calculated using the long-term weighted average of the isotopic signatures of the precipitation
samples versus elevation. However, these values are significantly small compared with the
global average and observed data in the Philippines. Isotopic lapse rates were calculated
using springs, assuming their elevations as the point of recharge. Using the springs as
proxies, isotopic lapse rates of -0.17 18O and -1.06 2H /100 m were calculated for
Agusan Basin. For Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin, isotopic lapse rate -0.24 18O and -1.4
2H /100 m were calculated using springs from Bukidnon. These values are in agreement
with the global average and observed values in some areas in the Philippines.

Shallow groundwater in both basins appear to be recharged by local precipitation, being more
enriched in the heavy isotopes compared to the deep groundwater. Shallow groundwater in
1-74

the Cagayan-Tagaloan Basin fall also under the Ca-Mg-HCO3 type of water.
Spring samples for both watersheds also appear to be recharged by local precipitation with
a few exceptions which may be recharged at higher elevations.

CDO West groundwater is different from CDO East groundwater. CDO East water may be
influenced by the water coming from the Bukidnon area. While water in CDO West appears
to be influenced by local recharge as seen in the comparability of the isotopic signature of
shallow and deep wells. This may be due to the interaction between the unconfined and semiconfined aquifers.

1-75

REFERENCES

Aggarwal, P.K., Frhlich, K., Kulkarni, K.M. and Gourcy, L.L. 2004. Stable Isotope
Evidence for Moisture Sources in the Asian Summer Monsoon Under Present and Past
Climate Regimes. Geophys. Res. Lett. 31 (8): 1 4.

Castaeda, S., Fernandez, G.L., Ascao, L., Ramos, A., Conjares, A.E. and Africa, L.
Application of Isotope and Chemical Techniques in the Study of Davao City Groundwater
Resources. Unpublished Report.

Clark, I. and Fritz, P. 1997. Environmental Isotopes in Hydrogeology. Lewis Publ., Boca
Raton. 328.
Gerardo, J.Y., Nuti, S., DAmore, F., Seastres Jr., J.S. and Gonfiantini, R. 1993. Isotopic
Evidence for Magmatic and Meteoric Water Recharge and the Processes Affecting the
Reservoir Fluids in the Palinpinon Geothermal System, Philippines. Geothermics 22(5/6):
521-533.

James, ER, Manga, M, Rose, TP and Hudson, GB. 2000. The use of temperature and
the isotopes of O, H, C, and noble gases to determine the pattern and spatial extent of
groundwater flow. J. Hydrol. 237: 100-112.

Kendall, C. and McDonnell, J.J., 1998. Isotope Tracers in Catchment Hydrology. Elsevier
Science, The Netherlands, p. 840.

Ma, J. Z.; Ding, Z.; Gates, John B.; and Su, Y. 2008. Chloride and the Environmental
Isotopes as the Indicators of the Groundwater Recharge in the Gobi Desert, Northwest
China.

Papers

in

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Earth

and

Atmospheric

Sciences.

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269.

http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/geosciencefacpub/269

Mandal, A.K., Zhang, J. and Asai, K. 2011. Stable isotopic and geochemical data for
inferring sources of recharge and groundwater flow on the volcanic island of Rishiri,
Japan. Applied Geochemistry 26: 1741-1751.

1-76

Mendoza, N.DS., Sucgang, R.J. and Castaeda, S.S. 2010. Low-level tritium
measurement in freshwater sources in the Philippines using electrolytic enrichment and
liquid scintillation spectrometry. Phil. Nucl. J. 15: 15-22.

Palanca-Tan, R. 2011. Designing a Raw Water Fee Scheme for Groundwater Extraction
in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. EEPSEA Technical Report August 2011, Singapore.

Palanca-Tan, R. and Bautista, G.M. 2003. Metering and a Water Permit Scheme for
Groundwater Use in Cagayan de Oro. EEPSEA Research Report 2003-RR8, Singapore.

Rao, S.M., Kulkarni, K.M., 1997. Isotope hydrology studies on water resources in western
Rajasthan. Curr. Sci. 72: 55-61.

Ravikumar, P. and Somashekar, R.K. 2011. Environmental Tritium (3H) and


hydrochemical investigations to evaluate groundwater in Varahi and Markandeya river
basins, Karnataka, India. J. Env. Rad. 102: 153-162.

Terwey, J.L. 1984. Isotopes in groundwater hydrology. Challenges in African Hydrology


and Water Resources (Proceedings of the Harare Symposium, July 1984). IAHS 144:
155-160.

World Bank. 2003. Philippines - Environment monitor 2003. Washington D.C. - The
Worldbank.

World Bank. 2004. Philippines - Environment monitor 2003. Washington D.C. - The
Worldbank.

Yurtsever, Y and Araguas Araguas, L. 1993. Environmental Isotope Application in


Hydrology: An Overview of the IAEAs Activities, Experiences, and Prospects. Tracers in
Hydrology (Proceedings of the Yokohama Symposium, July 1993). IAHS 215: 3-19.

Zouari, K., Hkir, N. and Ouda, B.. 2003. Palaeoclimatic Variation in Maknassi Basin
(Central Tunisia) during Holocene Period Using Pluridisplinary Approaches. Technical
document. IAEA, Vienna. 2:80e88.
1-77

CHAPTER 2
Application of Isotope Techniques in the Assessment
of Freshwater in Water Resource Region 2,
Philippines

CHAPTER 2
Application of Isotope Techniques in the Assessment of
Freshwater in Water Resource Region 2, Philippines
Mendoza, N. DS.2, S. S. Castaeda1, C.D.T. Racadio1, R. J. Sucgang1, A. Torres3, F. Billones4,
S. P. Abao3, and F.A. M. Lowe5

Abstract

The study aims to obtain benchmark isotopic characterization of the freshwater


sources in Region 2, Philippines, to demonstrate the advantage of incorporating
isotope techniques in freshwater resources assessment particularly in
understanding groundwater dynamics. Water samples from springs, deep wells,
hand pumps and dug wells, and rivers were collected within the study area from
March 2012 to August 2013. Monthly integrated rain samples were collected at
strategic locations within Cagayan province from June to December 2012. Stable
isotope (2H and 18O) signatures were determined for water sources in the
region. Mean residence time or groundwater age were estimated for selected
sources using tritium, carbon-14 and tritium-helium dating techniques. Stable
isotope values of deep and shallow groundwater from Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva
Vizcaya and Kalinga provinces generally plotted along the Philippine Meteoric
Water Line (PMWL) reflecting the effect of altitude on the isotopic signatures.
Springs in Ifugao (1250 m.a.s.l.), Mountain Province (1020 m.a.s.l.) and Nueva
Vizcaya (1314 m.a.s.l.) had isotopically values that were along the PMWL but with
relatively isotopically depleted values (e.g. -8.8 to -9.8 18O) which is
attributed to altitude effects. This indicates the significant contribution of local
precipitation to the groundwater recharge. A few shallow groundwater samples
from municipalities of Aurora and Burgos in Isabela deviated from the general
trend and were relatively more enriched in the heavy isotopes. This enrichment is
attributed evaporation.
Groundwater ages obtained using tritium-helium
technique reveal mixed groundwater ages of about 9 to 28 years in Isabela, 33 to
38 years in Cagayan and about 3 years in Nueva Vizcaya. This trend is consistent
with the conceptualized direction of groundwater flow, from the elevated area of
Nueva Vizcaya to Isabela and downstream to Cagayan. Results of chemical
analysis of groundwater in Isabela indicates a Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type which is a
typical of groundwater with short mean residence time. Water samples from rivers
within WRR2, in general, had isotope values that plotted along the PMWL
Keywords: Water Resources Region 2, water stable isotopes, groundwater age

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, Commonwealth Ave., Diliman,
Quezon City 1101, Philippines
3

Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, MGB Compound, North
Avenue, Quezon City 1100, Philippines
4

National Water Resources Board, 8th Floor, NIA Building, EDSA, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines

Local Water Utilities Administration, MWSS-LWUA Complex, Katipunan Avenue, Balara, Quezon City 1101,
Philippines

2-1

I.

INTRODUCTION

Freshwater plays a vital role in every aspect of human life. However, most of the
worlds freshwater resources have been stress due to increasing population and food
demand as well as continuous industrial development (UNESCO, 1987). Unlike these
factors, natural freshwater resources are limited and do not increase with the
population or development; instead, these are being used up and often exploited. For
instance, watersheds that may hold springs and groundwater diminish appreciably due
to deforestation and land use change (Dessie & Bredemeier, 2013; Ranada, 2014). It
is in such instances where water resource management becomes highly relevant in
enable to secure and protect such natural freshwater sources.

In the following sections, attention was focused on Water Resources Region 2 (WRR2)
one of the largest basins in the Philippines. The groundwater from the basin is one of
the main sources of freshwater particularly in Isabela and Cagayan. In Cagayan alone,
the basin provides freshwater for more than 3.2 million residents (about 70,000
households), a number of industries, and agriculture which irrigates about 5.4 sq. km.
of agricultural land mainly for corn and rice production (NSO, 2010).

However, modern insight on the dynamics of groundwater evolution at watershed


scale is needed to cope with the changes not only in social and economic perspective
but also to assess impact of climate change. Stable isotopes has been known to
provide information about the groundwater origin and the processes it underwent
(Yurtserver & Araguas-Araguas, 1993; Clark & Fritz, 1997; Kendal & McDonnel, 1998;
Aggarwal et al, 2004). In this study, different sources of freshwater in the basin were
analyzed for stable isotopes (2H & 18O) to gain insight on the general hydrological
features of surface waters & groundwater. The isotopic data presented here could be
serve as benchmark data and may be useful reference for future studies particularly
at a watershed or sub-watershed scale.

2-2

II.

METHODOLOGY
1. Study site

Site Description
The study was conducted on the Water Resources Region 2 (WRR 2) of the
Philippines.. It is located northeastern part of the Luzon island, Philippines within east
longitudes 120 50 and 122 17 and north latitude 15 45 and 18 23. It covers the
provinces of Apayao, Cagayan, Kalinga, Isabela, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva
Vizcaya, Quirino and some parts of Aurora (Figure 2-1). It has a total area 34,500 sq.
km with groundwater and surface water potential of about 2,825 and 8,510 million
cubic meter (MCM) per year , respectively (NWRB, 2012).

Figure 2-1. Map of Water Resource Region 2 showing provincial boundaries and administrative regions
namely Region-2 (R-2), Region-3 (R-3) and Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).

2-3

Geology and Hydrogeology


A detailed report about the geology and hydrogeology of WRR2 can be found in Mines
and Geosciences (MGB) survey report done by Hernando P. Quiazon and Efren De
Luna6. A geologic map of WRR2 derived from their work is shown in Figure 2-2.

Figure 2-2. Geologic Map of Water Resources Region 2 done by Quiazon and De Luna
(unpublished).

Groundwater in Cagayan Basin Northeastern Luzon by Hernando P. Quiazon (Supervising Geologist


I) and Efren De Luna (Geologist), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines. Report Unpublished.

2-4

According to Quiazon and De Luna7, the general geologic feature of the basin is
underlain at its forested periphery mainly by Cretaceous to Oligocene andesitic to
basaltic volcanic and intercalated sedimentary rocks. These mountain ranges include
the Cordillera Central on the west, Sierra Madre on the east, and Caraballo Mountains
on the south. The central part of its valleys is in younger Miocene to Recent
sequences, except where the basement rocks were uplifted, separating Bayombong
Valley from Cagayan Valley proper, and at the Cassigayan nose where the basement
rocks extends from northern Sierra Madre to Lal-lo, Cagayan.

In terms of hydrogeology, the study claimed that the basin is generally favorable to the
storage of pumpable groundwater in the interconnected interstices of its sedimentary
rocks and in the fractured and/or weathered zones in the igneous rocks. Pumpable
groundwater occurs primarily within the interstices and bedding plane openings of the
sedimentary and pyroclastic rocks and to a lesser extent within secondarily produced
openings in weathered or fractured zones, which occur in all rock types. Special
features are interconnected limestone formation channel ways which are sources of
strong springs within the basin. Alluvial deposits are sources of easily obtainable
groundwater. The shallow unconfined groundwater normally moves towards streams
channelways, swamps, ponds, low areas and to the sea unless drawn or captured by
artificial withdrawal. The observed dug wells in the saturated zone show a rate of
decline of 0.011 to 0.043 meter per day.

The artesian water moves from the intake to the discharge point under the combined
effect of its weight and atmospheric pressure. A coefficient of permeability value of 3
to 50 meter per day is obtained from the upper 50 meters of the Quaternary aquifers.
Based on 5 percent effective porosity, this means a rate of flow of 60 to 1,000 meters
per day at a hydraulic gradient of unity. Actual hydraulic gradients range from less than
one per 1,000 meters to more than 10 per 100 meters (<0.001 to >0.01).
Saturated zones are most likely to occur at the lowland valley and gently sloping land
surfaces covered with vegetation or developed for paddy rice culture. Percolation from
rainfall, influent river water from rivers and irrigation water are the immediate source

Groundwater in Cagayan Basin Northeastern Luzon by Hernando P. Quiazon (Supervising Geologist


I) and Efren De Luna (Geologist), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines. Report Unpublished.

2-5

of groundwater replenishment in the basin. Recharge to the artesian aquifers enters


through topographic highs. Losses from the saturated zone is mostly discharge as
groundwater runoff to surface drainage. Dried up vegetation cover during the dry
months of April and May indicate smaller losses thru evapotranspiration while losses
to the sea are relatively insignificant during these period. Limited saturated zones in
the weathered and/or fractured zones of the igneous rocks can be completely
dewatered during long dry spells or draughts, especially if withdrawal is comparatively
strong. In general, the strongest groundwater source is the unconsolidated to poorly
consolidated sedimentary sequence which occurs at the Cagayan River valley and at
the coastal plain.

Groundwater chemistry was described as calcium bicarbonated. Hardness is reported


at 23 to 400 ppm, chloride at 4 to 920 ppm, bicarbonate at 100 to 620 ppm, alkalinity
at 83 to 520 ppm, iron at 0.03 to 4.8 ppm, acidity at 1.2 to 33 ppm and total dissolved
solids at 185 to 1,800 ppm. Sulfate content ranges from 0.6 to 70 ppm; pH is normally
alkaline.The temperature of shallow well water ranges from 26o to 28oC. Water issuing
from limestone channelways showed a range of 22oC.

Climate and Rainfall

The WRR2 falls under the Climate Type III zone (PAGASA, see Figure 2-3) which is
described as being relatively dry from December to April. The rainfall pattern varies
widely throughout the region. The recorded annual average rainfall in the northern,
central, and southern portions of the region are 2.259 mm. 1,763 mm. and 2.228 mm,
respectively. Mean annual temperature is about 26C to 23.6C and the average
relative humidity is about 85 to 75%.

2-6

Figure 2-3. Climate Map of the Philippines from PAGASA

2. Analytical parameters and methods


Sample Collection

A series of sampling campaigns were conducted in 2012 to 2013 to cover most


provinces within WRR 2. Sampling in Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province,
Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya commenced in March 2012 and was finalized between
February to May 2013. Samples were collected from boreholes which are oftentimes
deep production wells with maximum well depths of more than 35 meters below
ground level (mbgl), dugwells or shallow domestic wells with depths less than 35 mbgl,
springs, and rivers. Samples were collected for

18O, 2H, 3H,

and chemical analysis. A

total of 49 samples from shallow wells, 107 samples from boreholes or deep wells, 3
2-7

samples from springs and 21 river water samples were collected.


In August 2013, selected deep groundwater in Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya
were resampled for tritium-helium groundwater age dating technique (3H- 3He).

Rain stations for isotope measurements in precipitation or rain were installed at


Calamagui (23 m.a.s.l.), Maguilling (40 m.a.s.l), Namaballan (32 m.a.s.l.) and Natallad,
Watershed (221 m.a.s.l.) from June to December 2012.

Sampling protocols for the parameters of interest were performed as described in


Chapter 1.

Isotopic and Chemical Analysis


The analytical methodologies applied in the study are as described in Chapter 1.

III.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION


1. Establishing the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL)

Rain water samples from stations established in Calamagui, Maguilling, Namaballan,


and Natallad Watershed stations were collected periodically starting from June to
December 2012. Details of these stations and the result of stable isotope analysis are
summarized in Table 2-1. Meanwhile, the location of these stations are shown in
Figure 2-4.

2-8

Table 2-1. Stable Isotope abundance of rain samples collected in WRR2 from June to December 2012. Samples were
analyzed by IAEA Isotope Hydrology Lab. Lab uncertainties (1-) for Oxygen-18 (18O) and Deuterium (2H) were
about 0.1 and 1.0 per mil (), respectively

Station

Lat.

Long.

Elev.
(masl)

Calamagui

17.64750

121.78528

23

Start

End

Code

06-Jun-12

28-Jun-12

C6
C7

28-Jun-12

25-Jul-12

Amount
rain
(mm)

18O
()

2H
()

Deuterium
excess
(D-excess)

117.5

-8.7

-60.7

8.7

117.5

-8.5

-58.7

9.4

303.5

-10.0

-72.0

7.8

58.7

-9.6

-68.8

8.1

146.9

-5.8

-35.6

11.0

78.3

-5.8

-37.7

8.7

176.2

-10.3

-71.5

10.7

274.1

-9.1

-66.2

6.6

274.1

-9.1

-66.0

6.8

29.4

-7.7

-55.3

6.6

156.6

-6.1

-35.2

13.9

176.2

-5.7

-32.1

13.5

97.9

-6.0

-40.4

7.8

88.1

-7.4

-53.1

6.4

127.3

-8.0

-56.4

7.4

293.7

-8.8

-65.3

5.4

88.1

-10.1

-72.6

8.4

C8
25-Jul-12

22-Aug-12
C9

22-Aug-12

17-Sep-12
C10

11-Oct-12

30-Oct-12
C11

Namabbalan

17.54639

121.78417

32

30-Oct-12

20-Dec-12

06-Jun-12

04-Jul-12

04-Jul-12

31-Jul-12

N6
N7
N8

31-Jul-12

22-Aug-12
N9

22-Aug-12

20-Sep-12
N10

20-Sep-12

11-Oct-12
N11

11-Oct-12

08-Nov-12
N12

Maguilling

17.76500

121.49889

40

08-Nov-12

20-Dec-12

06-Jun-12

06-Jul-12

06-Jul-12

25-Jul-12

M6
M7
M8

25-Jul-12

29-Aug-12
M9

Natallad,
Watershed

17.66940

121.82717

221

29-Aug-12

18-Sep-12

18-Sep-12

11-Oct-12

M10

127.3

-6.4

-41.8

9.2

11-Oct-12

10-Dec-12

M11

88.1

-5.4

-34.0

9.4

07-Jun-12

08-Jul-12

W6

205.6

-6.4

-43.5

7.7

08-Jul-12

12-Aug-12

W7

293.7

-8.9

-62.7

8.8

12-Aug-12

02-Sep-12

W8

283.9

-9.0

-66.1

5.7

02-Sep-12

30-Sep-12

W9

127.3

-11.1

-80.7

7.7

30-Sep-12

31-Oct-12

W10

293.7

-5.7

-34.8

10.8

31-Oct-12

16-Dec-12

W11

97.9

-6.2

-39.1

10.8

2-9

Figure 2-4. Rain water sampling locations in Water Resources Region 2 (WRR2). Red boundary shows
the WRR2 basin; Blue lines depicts major stream networks; Rain collection stations were marked in
green.

The WRR2 LMWL was determined using regression analysis. Figure 2-5 shows the
linear relationship between delta Oxygen-18 (18O) and delta Hydrogen-2 (2H)
values, expressed in per mil () units, of all the rain samples collected from each site.
The best fit line was then found to be 2H = (8.6 0.2) 18O + (13.3 1.8) with a
correlation coefficient (r2) of about 0.984. The WRR2 LMWL coincides both with the
Philippine Meteoric Water Line (PMWL) and the Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL)
which was about 2H = 8 18O + 12 (Gerardo-Abaya, 2005) and 2H = 8 18O + 10
(Craig, 1961), respectively.

2-10

Figure 2-5. The WRR2 Local Meteoric Water Line (WRR2 LMWL) derived from 2H and 18O
isotope data in rain samples collected from stations in Calamagui, Maguilling, Namabbalan and
Nattalad, Watershed, between the months of June to December 2012. The WRR2 LMWL was
found to be about 2H = 8.6 18O + 13.3. WRR2 annual mean was then estimated (i.e., 18O =
-7.3; 2H = 50.5) using the isotope data from rain collected in Diliman (Diliman LMWL; 2H =
7.8 18O + 9.0), Quezon City, National Capital Region.

The WRR2 annual mean was estimated using the isotope data from rain collected in
Diliman area from January to November 2012. The local meteoric water line for
Diliman as estimated to be 2H = 7.8 18O + 9.0. The annual rainfall index for WRR2
was then estimated and was calculated to be about -7.3 18O and -50.5 2H.
The effect of the amount of rainfall, or the amount effect, on the isotope values for
18O in rain water samples in Cagayan was not as evident as compared to that of the
data gathered from Diliman (Figures 2-6A and 2-6B). This may be due to the
differences in climatic conditions between the two regions; that is, WRR2 can be
classified to have a Type III weather condition while Diliman which is in Metro Manila

2-11

has Type I weather condition (see Figure 2-3). Based on PAGASA8, the annual rainfall
average in WRR2 ranged from less than 2000 mm in the northern-most parts and
more than 3000 mm in the southern mountainous part. In 2012, Cagayan province
experienced a prolonged dry weather and barely received any rainfall between
January to May. However, the amount of rainfall collected from June to December
2012 ranged from 800 mm to 1300 mm, only. This was probably less than what was
being expected when compared to historical annual rainfall averages identified by
PAGASA.

2-6A)

2-6B)

Figures 2-6A and 2-6B. Rainfall pattern in Namaballan, Tuguegarao, Cagayan in WRR2 (6A) and
Diliman area in Metro Manila (6B). These two figures show the relationship between the amount of
rainfall and Oxygen-18 (18O) in rain water.

There seem to be slight difference on the stable isotope signatures of rain samples
collected between the onset of the monsoon (e.g. June to September) and the postmonsoon months (e.g. October to December) (see Figure 2-7). Rain samples that
covered the months of October to December had relatively more enriched isotope
values as compared to rain samples collected from June to September. The behavior
may be attributed to the shift in the prevailing winds systems in the Philippines namely
the Southwest monsoon (SW), which usually prevails from July to September, and the

Climatological Normals. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical and Astronomical


Services Administration. Available at:
https://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.php/climate/climatological-normals

2-12

Northeast (NE) monsoon which prevails from November to February. Gerardo-Abaya


(2005) reported similar behavior in isotope data in rain samples collected from different
parts of the Philippines.

Figure 2-7. WRR2 LMWL showing individual data points from each of the rain collection stations. The
code represents the station where the samples were collected (e.g.: C-Calamagui; N-Namaballan; MMaguilling; W-Natallad, Watershed) and the period of collection (e.g.: 6-June; 7-July; 8-August; 9September; 10-October; 11-November; 12-December. In general, rain samples that were collected from
period of October to December were relatively more enriched as compared to that of June to September
2012.

2. Shallow wells

The details of the location of shallow wells and stable isotope analysis are listed in
Table 2-2 while the spatial distribution of O-18 values are shown in Figure 2-8. The
trend in isotopic values reflects the effect of elevation and the proximity to the ocean.
Shallow groundwater in municipalities near the coast are most enriched in the heavy
isotope while shallow groundwater in municipalities near mountain slopes in Nueva
Viscaya and Aurora are most depleted in the heavy isotope. The shallow groundwater
in Isabela exhibit intermediate O-18 values. This trend indicates high contribution of
2-13

local recharge recharge from percolation of rain or influent water from river or irrigation
water.

Figure 2-8. Map location of shallow wells in WRR2 with Oxygen-18 values.

2-14

Table 2-2. Stable isotope values of shallow wells (boreholes <35 mbgl) in Cagayan and Isabela Provinces under the Water Resources Region 2 (WRR2).

Province
Cagayan

City/
Municipality
Allacapan

Aparri

Ballesteros

PNRI Code

NWRB Code

Date
sampled

WSI-12-183

2-CAG-ALLA-65

9-May-13

WSI-12034a
WSI-12034b
WSI-12-151
WSI-12-152
WSI-12-153
WSI-12-154

2-CAG-APAR-76
2-CAG-APAR-76
2-CAG-APAR-78
2-CAG-APAR-74
2-CAG-APAR-75

5-Jun-12
6-May-13
6-May-13
6-May-13
6-May-13
6-May-13

Elevation
(masl)

Well max.
depth
(mbgl)

18O
()

2H
()

Deuterium
excess
(D-excess)

-5.4

-30.3

12.6

Latitude

Longitude

Centro

18.22633

121.55492

Punta

18.36122

121.63258

46

-6.0

-38.9

9.0

Punta
San Antonio
San Antonio
Centro
Centro

18.35931
18.35817
18.35856
18.35731
18.35422

121.63403
121.63767
121.63894
121.64339
121.64669

46
51
44
42
24

6
6
6
6
12

-5.7
-5.8
-6.0
-5.8
-4.8

-35.3
-35.3
-37.0
-35.5
-28.2

9.9
10.7
11.1
11.2
10.5

Centro West
Centro East
Sta. Cruz
Centro East
Centro East
Mabuttal
West

18.41606
18.40808
18.40486
18.40889
18.40889

121.51019
121.51539
121.51853
121.51808
121.51586

22
22
24
24
25

18
12
15
9
10

-6.0
-5.6
-5.9
-6.0
-7.1

-37.0
-35.6
-36.7
-37.8
-46.1

10.9
9.4
10.8
10.2
11.0

18.36900

121.50817

27

24

-5.2

-29.4

12.1

WSI-12-188
WSI-12-189
WSI-12-190
WSI-12-191
WSI-12-192

2-CAG-BALL-166
2-CAG-BALL-165
2-CAG-BALL-162
2-CAG-BALL-164
2-CAG-BALL-163

WSI-12-193

2-CAG-BALL-161

Buguey

WSI-12-171
WSI-12-172
WSI-12-173
WSI-12-174

2-CAG-BUGU-90
2-CAG-BUGU-89
2-CAG-BUGU-92
2-CAG-BUGU-93

8-May-13
8-May-13
8-May-13
8-May-13

Centro
Centro
Malaweste
Centro

18.29058
18.28992
18.28353
18.28756

121.83067
121.83150
121.84589
121.83089

28
19
30
34

12
6
9
12

-6.3
-6.7
-6.8
-6.5

-37.8
-42.4
-43.0
-42.1

12.2
11.0
11.5
9.9

Calamaniugan

WSI-12-155
WSI-12-156
WSI-12-157
WSI-12-158
WSI-12-159

2-CAG-CAMA-95

6-May-13
6-May-13
6-May-13
6-May-13
6-May-13

Dacal-Lafugu
Gen. Batallia
Gen. Batallia
Dugo
Dugo

18.26686
18.23981
18.24314
18.25875
18.25808

121.68478
121.68136
121.68286
121.68786
121.68839

29
36
32
24
23

9
6
30
6
22

-4.6
-5.9
-5.7
-5.8
-5.3

-31.1
-35.0
-33.6
-35.4
-33.9

5.8
12.0
11.7
11.3
8.6

2-CAG-CAMA-96

10-May-13
10-May-13
10-May-13
10-May-13
10-May-13

Source
Name

10-May-13

Lal-Lo

WSI-12-181

8-May-13

Catayauan

18.17694

121.66175

31

-3.8

-25.2

4.9

Lasam

WSI-12-185

9-May-13

Centro 3

18.06022

121.58775

32

-6.7

-42.9

10.6

Piat

WSI-12-003

5-Jun-12

Maguiling

17.76756

121.49919

39

18

-6.6

-45.6

7.5

2-19

Table 2-2
Continued

Province

City/
Municipality
Sta. Ana

2H
()
-26.9
-17.0
-17.5
-16.5
-22.5

Deuterium
excess
(D-excess)
11.5
15.0
15.6
13.7
10.6

12

-6.2
-6.0

-39.4
-37.5

10.2
10.2

121.56806

35

-7.6

-46.9

14.3

16.99253

121.64286

12

-5.5

-38.6

5.6

12
12
12

-6.0
-6.7
-4.4

-42.1
-46.6
-34.0

5.5
6.6
1.5

PNRI Code
WSI-12-053
WSI-12-160
WSI-12-161
WSI-12-162
WSI-12-163

2-CAG-STA.-57
2-CAG-STA.-60
2-CAG-STA.-61
2-CAG-STA.-62

WSI-12-169
WSI-12-170

2-CAG-STA.-71
2-CAG-STA.-73

7-May-13
7-May-13

Sto. Nio

WSI-12-039

2-CAG-STO.-199

8-Jun-12

Aurora

WSI-12-134

15-Apr-13

Burgos

WSI-12-114
WSI-12-115
WSI-12-116

3-Apr-13
3-Apr-13
3-Apr-13

San Antonio
San Antonio
Caliguian

17.08947
17.09128
17.06431

121.70142
121.70467
121.69339

Cabatuan

WSI-12-143

16-Apr-13

La Paz

16.92086

121.66444

18

-7.4

-51.8

7.5

Gamu

10-Apr-13
10-Apr-13
6-Jun-12

Pintor
Mabini
Bagumbayan

17.11000
17.10025
17.15336

121.75653
121.73711
121.88644

18
25

Ilagan

WSI-12-127
WSI-12-135
WSI-12-009

52

-6.4
-7.1
-7.2

-43.6
-48.7
-45.5

7.4
8.4
11.8

Mallig

WSI-12-108

2-Apr-13

Centro

17.20964

121.61033

93

-6.9

-48.7

6.5

Naguillan

WSI-12-133

13-Apr-13

Quirino

17.02817

121.83192

24

-7.3

-48.5

10.2

Quezon

WSI-12-103

2-Apr-13

Arellano

17.31619

121.60475

123

24

-7.3

-51.0

7.1

Roxas

WSI-12-018

7-Jun-12

Vira

17.12331

121.62278

80

30

-6.4

-38.6

12.3

San Pablo

WSI-12-090

21-Mar-13

Ballacayu

17.51511

121.79850

Sta. Teresita

Isabela

8
8
8
9

18O
()
-4.8
-4.0
-4.1
-3.8
-4.1

NWRB Code

Source
Name
Mayor
Parada-Batu
Parada-Batu
Parada-Batu
San Vicente

Latitude
18.48525
18.46131
18.46139
18.46150
18.50039

Longitude
122.15317
122.17089
122.17067
122.17083
122.15111

Centro East
Centro East

18.24997
18.24789

121.90994
121.90544

17.88611

Sta. Rita

Elevation
(masl)

Well max.
depth
(mbgl)

Date
sampled
7-Aug-12
7-May-13
7-May-13
7-May-13
7-May-13

30
26

68
68
73

15

No
data

-47.2

2-20

Table 2-2
Continued

Province

City/
Municipality
Sto. Tomas

Nueva
Vizcaya

Diadi

PNRI Code
WSI-12-092

WSI-12079a
WSI-12079b

NWRB Code

Date
sampled
21-Mar-13

22-Feb-13
23-Aug-13

Source
Name

Latitude

Longitude

Poblacion

17.46969

121.7515

Elevation
(masl)

Well max.
depth
(mbgl)

18O
()

2H
()

24

No
data

-50.2

Deuterium
excess
(D-excess)

Scoting

16.70444

121.35600

275

-7.4

-50.7

8.3

Scoting

16.70444

121.35600

275

-7.6

-51.2

9.7

Bambang

WSI-12-082

22-Feb-13

Buag

16.38075

121.10600

346

-8.4

-56.2

11.2

Aritao

WSI-12-083

22-Feb-13

Poblacion

16.300389

121.034111

397

-9.0

-62.4

9.6

2-21

Cagayan shallow wells (6 to 35 mbgl)

The isotopic data of shallow groundwater in Cagayan were plotted against that of the
PMWL, GMWL and WRR2 to identify which wells were similar in terms of recharge
source as well as to identify possible group end members (see Figure 2-9).

Figure 2-9. Stable isotope data of shallow wells (depths ranging from 6 to 35 mbgl) within Cagayan
province. Data were plotted against that of the PMWL (2H =8 18O + 12; Abaya, 2005), GMWL (2H
=8.0 18O + 10; Craig, 1961) and WRR2 LMWL (2H =8.6 18O + 13.3). Nearly all data points were
within the limits of the PMWL and GMWLwith minimal shift (2H =8.0 18O + 11, rounded figures) which
indicate local recharge process.

Shallow groundwater in Cagayan province exhibited 18O values that ranged from
-3.8 to -7.1, all lying along the PMWL with a best fit line estimate of about 2H =
8.0 18O + 10.7 , with a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.925 (n=33). The stable isotope
data sorted down to its municipal locations, Allacapan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Buguey, Calamaniugan,
Lallo, Lassam, Piat, Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita, and Sto. Nio) are shown in Figure 2-10. It can be seen
that wells from same municipality generally cluster together which suggests a more localized
recharge mechanism even at a municipal boundary scale attributed to their respective local
geological overlay. This is consistent wit the dynamics of groundwater recharge described

by Quiazon and De Luna9.

Groundwater in Cagayan Basin Northeastern Luzon by Hernando P. Quiazon (Supervising Geologist


I) and Efren De Luna (Geologist), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines. Report Unpublished.

2-22

Figure 2-10. Stable isotope data of Cagayan shallow wells sorted down to its municipal locations (e.g.
Allacapan, Aparri, Ballesteros, Buguey, Calamaniugan, Lallo, Lassam, Piat, Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita,
and Sto. Nio). It can be seen that wells from same municipality generally cluster together which may
be attributed to their respective local geological overlay.

Isabela shallow wells (12 to 30 mbgl)


Isabela is largest province within WRR2 with an estimated land area of about 10,400
sq. km. It has 34 municipalities and 3 cities which include its capital, Ilagan.
Groundwater drawn from shallow wells at the depths of about 12 to 30 m.b.g.l. were
analyzed for water stable isotopes (see Table 2-2). Isotopic data were plotted against
that of the PMWL, GMWL and WRR2 (see Figure 2-11). Most of the groundwater had
isotope signature that lie along the PMWL. Groundwater samples from shallow wells
found in municipalities of Aurora and Burgos in Isabela appear to trend towards an
evaporation mixing line. The 18O values for Isabela shallow wells ranged from -5.5
to -7.4 . The best fit line was then derived and was estimated to be 2H = 5.8 18O
- 7.2 (values were rounded) at r2 = 0.847 (n=12).

2-23

Figure 2-11. Stable isotope data of shallow wells (depths ranging from 12 to 30 mbgl) within Isabela
province. Data were plotted against that of the PMWL (2H =8 18O + 12; Abaya, 2005), GMWL (2H
=8.0 18O + 10; Craig, 1961) and WRR2 LMWL (2H =8.6 18O + 13.3). Noticeably, some shallow wells
from Burgos may have been recharged by evaporated waters as wells from these areas pulled the trend
line away from both the PMWL and GMWL.

Nueva Vizcaya Shallow wells (2 to 9 mbgl)

Groundwater samples from shallow wells in Nueva Vizcaya slightly deviated from the
GMWL and PMWL with a best fit line estimate of about 2H = 7.1 18O + 2.7 at an r2
of 0.967 (n=4) ( see Figure 2-12). The range of 18O values were within -7.4 to 9.0 . The relatively depleted isotope values of 18O from Nueva Vizcaya is attributed
to isotope fractionation of heavy isotopes in rain water due to altitude effects.

2-24

Figure 2-12. Stable isotope data of shallow wells (depths ranging from 2 to 9 mbgl) within Nueva
Vizcaya. Data were plotted against that of the PMWL (2H =8 18O + 12; Abaya, 2005), GMWL (2H
=8.0 18O + 10; Craig, 1961) and WRR2 LMWL (2H =8.6 18O + 13.3).

3. Deep wells
The specific location of deep wells and the results of water isotope analysis are
summarized in Table 2-3 while the map location of these wells as well as their
corresponding Oxygen-18 values are shown in Figure 2-13.

2-25

Figure 2-13. Map location of deep wells in WRR2 with Oxygen-18 values.

2-26

Cagayan Deep Wells

Samples drawn from deep wells with maximum depths of more than 35 m.b.g.l. were
analyzed for water stable isotopes. Nearly all of the wells in these areas were designed
and constructed with multiple screens that would allow groundwater to be drawn at
different depths10. Nevertheless, the data could serve as a benchmark and could even
provide valuable insight about the characteristic or the nature of the source of
recharge.

Similar approach to that of the shallow wells, isotopic data of groundwater in deep
wells were plotted against that of the PMWL, GMWL and WRR2 (see Figure 2-14).
For deeper groundwater sources, the isotopic values of groundwater are expected to
cluster very close to the long-term annual mean of isotopes in precipitation (i.e. -7.3
18O). This is because deeper aquifers are mixture of water that originated from
various recharge processes or events within certain period of time. (Clark and
Araguas, personal communication, 2014).

For Cagayan deep wells, groundwater data fitted well with that of the PMWL with best
fit line estimate of 2H = 7.4 18O + 7.0 with an r2 of 0.813 (n=22). The 18O values
ranged from -5.4 to -8.4 . The closeness of isotopic values of groundwater to that
of water coming from meteoric origin (i.e GMWL) may be attributed to the good
permeability of soil as described by Quiazon and De Luna (MGB report, unpublished)
thus favoring local recharge. Meanwhile, the wide 18O range could be attributed to
the characteristic of well design (tapping multiple aquifers) or the heterogeneity of
geologic overlay throughout the Cagayan plains.

10

See SUPPLEMENTAL Figures for samples of well strata records. Source: Research Division, Local Water
Utilities Administration (LWUA).

2-27

Table 2-3. Stable isotope values of deep wells (boreholes > 35 mbgl) in Cagayan and Isabela, Kalinga and Nueva Vizcaya under WRR2.

Province

City/
Municipality

PNRI Code

NWRB Code

Date
sampled

Cagayan

Allacapan

WSI-12-182

2-CAG-ALLA-66

9-May-13

Gattaran

WSI-12-175
WSI-12-176
WSI-12-177

2-CAG-GATT-68
2-CAG-GATT-69
2-CAG-GATT-70

Gonzaga

WSI-12-165
WSI-12-167
WSI-12-168

Iguig

Lal-Lo

Lasam

Elevation
(masl)

18O
()

2H
()

Deuterium
excess
(Dexcess)

81

-6.2

-37.2

12.5

Latitude

Longitude

Dagupan

18.21122

121.55506

8-May-13
8-May-13
8-May-13

Centro Norte
Centro Norte
Centro Sur

18.06486
18.06414
18.06156

121.64431
121.64383
121.06306

26
29
49

50
70
80

-6.9
-6.8
-7.0

-44.8
-45.7
-46.4

10.1
9.0
9.9

2-CAG-GONZ-83
2-CAG-GONZ-84
2-CAG-GONZ-85

7-May-13
7-May-13
7-May-13

Pateng
Pateng
Sta. Clara

18.25792
18.25533
18.24623

121.98817
121.98844
122.02247

36
34
112

41
56
60

-6.3
-6.5
-6.7

-38.2
-38.3
-40.1

12.4
13.5
13.1

WSI-12-040

2-CAG-IGUI-24

9-Jun-12

Malabbac

17.72000

121.73889

110

-7.5

-48.3

11.3

WSI-12-178
WSI-12-179

2-CAG-LALL-86
2-CAG-LALL-87

18.13028
18.12994

121.67058
121.68289

43
84

80
80

-6.1
-6.2

-39.9
-39.8

8.6
10.0

WSI-12-180

2-CAG-LALL-88

18.11794

121.67911

45

78

-6.5

-41.4

10.2

WSI-12-184

2-CAG-LASA-154

Centro 2

18.06833

121.60547

55

-6.1

11.2

Nabannagan West

18.07014

121.53464

38

-5.4

Centro 1

18.06933

121.59619

80

-6.2

-37.6
34.77
41.37

8-May-13
8-May-13
8-May-13
9-May-13
9-May-13

WSI-12-186

9-May-13

Source Name

Well
max.
depth
(mbgl)

Lower Magapit
Norte
Upper Magapit
Lower Magapit
South

45

8.3

WSI-12-187

2-CAG-LASA-150

Piat

WSI-12-002

2-CAG-PIAT-7

5-Jun-12

Maguiling

17.76858

121.49894

46

93

-7.1

-47.2

10.0

Solana

WSI-12-005

2-CAG-SOLA-8

5-Jun-12

Calamagui

17.64142

121.68639

29

72

-7.3

-48.2

10.6

Tuguegarao

WSI-12-001a
WSI-12-001b
WSI-12-006
WSI-12-036a
WSI-12-036b
WSI-12-038

2-CAG-TUGU-6
2-CAG-TUGU-6
2-CAG-TUGU-1
2-CAG-TUGU-13
2-CAG-TUGU-13
2-CAG-TUGU-4

4-Jun-12
23-Aug-13
5-Jun-12
6-Jun-12
23-Aug-13
8-Jun-12

Linao Norte
Linao Norte
Buntun
Namabbalan
Namabbalan
Larion Bajo

17.65883
17.65883
17.61447
17.55250
17.65883
17.62306

121.72658
121.72658
121.69967
121.78194
121.72658
121.75361

41
41
33
32
32

91
91
100
82
82
83

-7.6
-8.4
-7.2
-7.4
-7.2
-6.0

-54.1
-53.5
-40.7
-46.6
-51.9
-37.1

6.7
13.3
16.6
12.4
5.8
10.7

2-27

8.1

Table 2-3
Continued
(1)

Province
Isabela

City/
Municipality

PNRI Code

NWRB Code

Date
sampled

Source Name

Latitude

Longitude

Elevation
(masl)

Well
max.
depth
(mbgl)

18O
()

2H
()

Deuterium
excess
(Dexcess)

Alicia

WSI-12-013
WSI-12-014a
WSI-12-014b

6-Jun-12
6-Jun-12
11-Mar-12

Calaocan
Antonino
Antonino

16.78361
16.78558
16.78556

121.69175
121.69439
121.69447

30
50
50

-7.0
-7.1
-7.0

-43.1
-44.4
-48.9

12.6
12.3
6.8

Aurora

WSI-12-138
WSI-12-140

15-Apr-13
15-Apr-13

Poblacion
Nampicuan

16.99061
17.02461

121.63503
121.69444

36
115

-7.3
-7.3

-49.5
-48.3

8.6
9.8

12-Apr-13
12-Apr-13

Benito Soliven
Yeban Sur
District 1

17.00625
16.97664
16.97592

121.94733
121.96128
121.96100

80
46
52

-7.3
-7.2
-7.5

-45.7
-47.2
-48.3

12.4
10.1
11.7

San Antonio
Masigun
Bacnor
San Antonio

17.08861
17.09731
17.03317
17.08956

121.70269
121.68647
121.70522
121.71194

96
115
110

-7.0
-6.7
-7.2
-7.0

-47.7
-42.9
-50.6
-47.8

8.7
10.9
7.3
8.5

Benito
Soliven

WSI-12-031
WSI-12-130
WSI-12-198

11-Mar-12

Burgos

WSI-12-111
WSI-12-112
WSI-12-113
WSI-12-120

3-Apr-13
3-Apr-13
3-Apr-13
3-Apr-13

Cabagan

WSI-12-025a
WSI-12-025b
WSI-12-093
WSI-12-094

12-Mar-12
22-Mar-13
22-Mar-13
22-Mar-13

Ugad
Ugad
Catabayungan
San Juan

17.43825
17.43825
17.43950
17.40828

121.77528
121.77528
121.75447
121.74256

48
48
48
60

-7.0
-6.6
-7.5
-7.0

-44.7
-45.6
-51.3
-50.7

11.1
7.2
8.5
5.0

Cabatuan

WSI-12-020
WSI-12-142

7-Jun-12
16-Apr-13

Del Pilar
Saranay

16.95622
16.95753

121.65869
121.67558

108
150

-7.7
-8.2

-53.2
-54.5

8.4
11.4

Cauayan City

WSI-12-011
WSI-12-012
WSI-12-032
WSI-12-145
WSI-12-146
WSI-12-200

6-Jun-12
6-Jun-12
13-Mar-12
18-Apr-13
18-Apr-13
13-Apr-13

District 2
District 2
Barbers
San Fermin
Tagaran
San Fermin

16.93758
16.92397
16.94389
16.94078
16.96733
16.91986

121.76992
121.76817
121.76733
121.76619
121.77142
121.75967

93
80
64
64

-6.8
-6.9
-6.6
-6.7
-6.8
-6.7

-43.3
-40.7
-44.0
-43.6
-43.2
-45.2

10.8
14.3
8.8
10.2
11.2
8.6

WSI-12-026

13-Mar-12

Magsaysay

16.67000

121.46556

-7.1

-46.9

9.9

Cordon

77
72
73
126

88
74

111

2-28

Table 2-3
Continued
(2)

Province
Isabela

City/
Municipality
Delfin Albano

PNRI Code
WSI-12-095
WSI-12-096

NWRB Code

Date
sampled
22-Mar-13
22-Mar-13

Source Name
Villaluz
San Antonio

Latitude
17.31750
17.27583

Longitude
121.76961
121.79025

Elevation
(masl)

Well
max.
depth
(mbgl)
60
60

18O
()
-7.4
-7.1

2H
()
-51.6
-47.8

Deuterium
excess
(Dexcess)
7.8
8.7

Gamu

WSI-12-128
WSI-12-136
WSI-12-137

12-Apr-13
10-Apr-13
10-Apr-13

Upi
Mabini
Guibang

17.03772
17.09794
17.04719

121.87314
121.73703
121.85775

90
170

-7.3
-6.9
-6.7

-47.6
-45.7
-42.5

10.5
9.4
10.9

Ilagan

WSI-12-010a
WSI-12-010b
WSI-12-030
WSI-12-084
WSI-12-085
WSI-12-086
WSI-12-087
WSI-12-097
WSI-12-098
WSI-12-099
WSI-12-124a
WSI-12-124b
WSI-12-125
WSI-12-126

6-Jun-12
23-Aug-13
15-Mar-12
19-Mar-13
19-Mar-13
19-Mar-13
19-Mar-13
5-Apr-13
5-Apr-13
5-Apr-13
4-Apr-13
23-Aug-13
4-Apr-13
4-Apr-13

Alibagu
Alibagu
Calamagui
Guinatan
Sto. Tomas
Bagumbayan
San Felipe
Alibagu
Alibagu
Baligatan
Guinatan
Guinatan
Guinatan
Guinatan

17.10261
17.10261
17.13911
17.14117
17.13775
17.15117
17.12017
17.09608
17.09139
17.11289
17.13947
17.13931
17.13869
17.13992

121.85864
121.85864
121.86647
121.88483
121.88542
121.88722
121.88025
121.85978
121.86014
121.86403
121.88242
121.87797
121.87061
121.87781

80
80
50
42
60
44
110

-7.2
-7.1
-6.9
-6.8
-7.7
-6.4
-6.5
-6.9
-7.2
-7.1
-7.5
-7.3
-7.4
-7.3

-43.3
-47.0
-46.0
-48.2
-52.1
-45.7
-44.9
-45.9
-47.9
-47.9
-48.5
-48.2
-49.1
-47.6

13.9
9.8
9.5
5.9
9.2
5.2
7.2
9.4
9.5
9.0
11.1
10.2
10.4
10.5

Luna

WSI-12-144

16-Apr-13

Centro 2

16.96772

121.72906

110

-6.8

-46.8

7.6

Mallig

WSI-12-027a
WSI-12-027b
WSI-12-105
WSI-12-106
WSI-12-107
WSI-12-109
WSI-12-110

16-Mar-12
2-Apr-13
2-Apr-13
2-Apr-13
2-Apr-13
2-Apr-13
2-Apr-13

Centro
Centro

Rang-ayan
San Pedro
Siempre Viva Sur

17.21353
17.21353
17.32636
17.20150
17.17878
17.23397
17.22944

121.61058
121.61058
121.61475
121.60675
121.58072
121.60856
121.63175

130

-7.2
-7.3
-7.6
-6.2
-7.2
-7.4
-7.3

-48.6
-50.6
-53.1
-42.9
-50.3
-51.2
-49.7

9.3
8.1
8.0
6.7
7.1
8.0
8.4

WSI-12-131
WSI-12-132
WSI-12-199

13-Apr-13
13-Apr-13
13-Apr-13

Magsaysay
Roxas
Quezon

17.01128
17.02406
17.02342

121.84475
121.83817
121.83186

72
60
60

-6.8
-6.5
-6.8

-47.0
-44.6
-45.2

7.0
7.7
8.9

Naguillan

84

80
55
100
156

2-29

Table 2-3
Continued
(3)

Province
Isabela

City/
Municipality
Quezon

Quirino

Ramon

Reina
Mercedes

Roxas

San
Guillermo
San Manuel

18O
()
-6.9
-7.6
-7.4

2H
()
-48.3
-51.9
-51.0

Deuterium
excess
(Dexcess)
7.0
8.9
7.8

Date
sampled
2-Apr-13
2-Apr-13
2-Apr-13

Source Name
Santos
Samonte
Samonte

Latitude
17.31633
17.30464
17.31175

Longitude
121.60642
121.60528
121.60011

WSI-12-117
WSI-12-118
WSI-12-119

3-Apr-13
3-Apr-13
3-Apr-13

Luna
Luna
Sto. Domingo

17.12806
17.12936
17.15450

121.72050
121.71997
121.75664

80
81
77

130
180

-6.9
-6.9
-7.3

-47.6
-48.6
-50.8

7.2
6.7
7.3

WSI-12-021a
WSI-12-021b

7-Jun-12
20-Mar-12

Centro
Centro

16.783722
16.783722

121.532139
121.532139

127
127

120
120

-6.7
-6.8

-45.0
-45.6

8.9
9.0

17-Apr-13

Tallungan
Napaccu Grande

16.99333
16.99356

121.81206
121.78953

113
106

-6.7
-6.6

-42.9
-44.3

10.6
8.4

4-Apr-13
4-Apr-13
4-Apr-13

San Antonio
Muoz East
Rizal

17.09414
17.15722
17.12206

121.61703
121.61636
121.62081

80
57
80

-6.8
-6.8
-6.4

-47.2
-47.1
-44.0

7.3
7.4
7.2

Centro

16.72286

121.80814

-7.3

-45.3

12.8

106

-7.4
-6.7
-6.7

-45.2
-47.6
-45.4

13.6
6.0
8.1

-7.2
-7.4

-47.4
-48.6

10.1
10.5

PNRI Code
WSI-12-104
WSI-12-195
WSI-12-196

WSI-12-201
WSI-12-202
WSI-12-121
WSI-12-122
WSI-12-123

WSI-12-033

NWRB Code

17-Apr-13

22-Mar-12

Elevation
(masl)
123

Well
max.
depth
(mbgl)
100
150
150

69
68
77

WSI-12-019
WSI-12-139
WSI-12-141

7-Jun-12
15-Apr-13
15-Apr-13

District 4
Babanuang
Isabela

17.02556
17.04503
17.07164

121.63478
121.63339
121.63744

San Mariano

WSI-12-129
WSI-12-197

11-Apr-13
11-Apr-13

Mallabo
Sta. Filomena

16.99111
16.98592

121.99256
122.00114

120
54

San Pablo

WSI-12-088

Auitan

17.470333

121.790278

52

Ballacayu

17.491028

121.808917

150

WSI-12-089

21-Mar-13
21-Mar-13

61

116

No
data
No
data

-51.8
-49.7

2-30

Table 2.3
Continued
(4)

Province

City/
Municipality
Santiago City

Kalinga

11

PNRI Code

NWRB Code

WSI-12-022

Date
sampled
7-Jun-12
7-Jun-12

Latitude

Longitude

Elevation
(masl)

Well
max.
depth
(mbgl)

Divisoria

16.696833

121.597944

98.1

158

-6.5

88.7
88.7
88.7
74.5

131
131
131
150

-6.6
-6.8
-6.6
-6.8

-39.6
33.611
-46.2
-45.2
-39.3

-7.3

-51.7

6.4

-6.4
-6.3
-6.5

-43.3
-40.4
-40.8

8.0
10.3
11.1

-6.4
-7.5
-8.0

-47.3
-51.8
-53.6

3.6
7.9
10.4

Source Name

WSI-12-023a
WSI-12-023b
WSI-12-023c
WSI-12-024

26-Mar-12
24-Aug-13
7-Jun-12

Mabini
Mabini
Mabini
Rizal

16.701889
16.701889
16.701889
16.722778

121.569194
121.569194
121.569194
121.550361

Sta. Maria

WSI-12-091

21-Mar-13

Poblacion 1

17.469722

121.751528

Tumauini

WSI-12-028a
WSI-12-028b
WSI-12-101

27-Mar-12
20-Mar-13
5-Apr-13

San Pedro
San Pedro
District 1

17.281667
17.281667
17.275556

121.807333
121.807333
121.809389

WSI-12-068
WSI-12-069
WSI-12-070

19-Feb-13
19-Feb-13
19-Feb-13

Upper Bulanaw
Bulanao
Dagupan

17.40267
17.40972
17.47194

121.44156
121.43914
121.46689

Tabuk City

63
63
52

148
92

18O
()

2H
()

Deuterium
excess
(Dexcess)
0.0
12.7

Data was omitted due to relatively high D-excess value

2-31

19.0
8.1
7.9
14.8

Figure 2-14. Stable isotope data of deep wells (boreholes with depth more than 35 mbgl) within
Cagayan province. Data were plotted against that of the PMWL (2H =8 18O + 12; Abaya, 2005),
GMWL (2H = 8.0 18O + 10; Craig, 1961) and WRR2 LMWL (2H =8.6 18O + 13.3). Similar to isotope
data from Cagayan shallow wells (see Figure 3.2.1.1.) nearly all data points were within the limits of
the PMWL and GMWL with a best fit line of 2H =7.5 18O + 7.0, rounded figures) which indicate local
recharge process.

Isabela Deep Wells

A slight deviation from the GMWL and PMWL was observed from the isotope values
of groundwater from Isabela (Figure 2-15). When grouped together, the data gave a
best fit line estimate of 2H = 6.8 18O + 1.1 with an r2 of 0.604 (n=82). The 18O values
ranged from -5.4 to -9.0 .

The results were consistent to that of what has been observed in Isabela shallow wells
wherein some groundwater tend to point towards the evaporation mixing line. As
mentioned previously, most of the wells were constructed in such a fashion that will
enable it to draw groundwater from multiple aquifers.

2-32

Figure 2-15. Stable isotope data of deep wells (boreholes with depth more than 35 mbgl) within Isabela
province. Data were plotted against that of the PMWL (2H =8 18O + 12; Abaya, 2005), GMWL (2H
= 8.0 18O + 10; Craig, 1961) and WRR2 LMWL (2H =8.6 18O + 13.3). One data point from Santiago
deep wells was ommitted. When taken as a group, Isabela deep wells slightly deviated from PMWL and
GMWL with a best fit line of 2H = 6.8 18O + 1.1 (rounded figures) which indicate most wells may have
been recharged by slightly evaporated waters.

Isabela groundwater chemistry


Groundwater chemistry12 in Isabela reveal a Calcium-Magnesium-Bicarbonate (CaMg-HCO3) type of water which suggest short mean residence time (see Figure 2-16).

12

Data analysis by Mr, Aniano Torres, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)

2-33

Figure 2.16. Piper Plot of Isabela Groundwater Chemistry. Generally, waters driven from shallow and
deep wells are of Ca-Mg-HCO3 type which are indication of short mean residence time.

Kalinga Deep Wells

Groundwater samples from deep wells in Kalinga were generally within the limits of
GMWL and PMWL which indicate local recharge (Figure 2-17). The range of 18O
values were between -6.4 to -8.0. The relatively depleted isotope values is
attributed to the fractionation of light to heavy isotopes due to altitude effects.

2-34

Figure 2-17. Stable isotope data of groundwater from deep wells (boreholes with depth more than 50
mbgl) within Kalinga province. The data were plotted against that of the PMWL (2H =8 18O + 12;
Abaya, 2005), GMWL (2H = 8.0 18O + 10; Craig, 1961) and WRR2 LMWL (2H =8.6 18O + 13.3).

4. Rivers

Specific locations of river where water samples were collected as well as the results
of water isotope analysis are listed in Table 2-4. The map location of sampling sites
as well as its corresponding Oxygen-18 values are shown in Figure 2-18.

2-35

Figure 2-18. Map location of river samples in WRR2 with Oxygen-18 values.

2-36

Table 2-4. Stable isotope values of river water samples collected within WRR2.

Pinacanaun River
Cagayan River
Cagayan River

Latitude
17.62886
17.62889
17.59083

Longitude
121.77114
121.77111
121.67361

Elevatio
n (masl)
28
28
19

18O
()
-6.4
-7.6
-5.7

2H
()
-41.0
-36.9
-39.2

Deuteriu
m excess
(Dexcess)
10.4
23.8
6.5

Baggao

Tuguegaro River

17.91250

121.82861

49

-5.8

-44.2

1.9

7-May-13

Pateng

Wangag River

18.25489

121.98806

27

-5.7

-35.1

10.7

WSI-12-004

5-Jun-12

Sta. Barbara

Chico River

17.75919

121.48333

39

-8.3

-53.2

13.4

Lamut

WSI-12-077
WSI-12-078

21-Feb-13
21-Feb-13

Hapid
Baguinge

16.72753
16.78406

121.24381
121.12103

257
438

-8.61
-8.86

-56.23
-57.84

12.7
13.0

Ilagan

WSI-12-008
WSI-12-194

6-Jun-12
5-Apr-13

Alinguigan
Passa

Malalam Bridge
Passa Creek

17.12419
17.18925

121.90636
121.95522

35
74

-7.1
-6.9

-41.0
-44.1

15.6
10.7

San Isidro

WSI-12-015

6-Jun-12

Camarag

Ganano River

16.73231

121.64669

74

-7.9

-52.5

10.3

Kalinga

Tabuk City

WSI-12-066
WSI-12-067
WSI-12-071
WSI-12-072
WSI-12-073

19-Feb-13
19-Feb-13
20-Feb-13
20-Feb-13
20-Feb-13

Pinukpuk
Bulanaw
Dupag
Bagumbayan
Anbato

17.61586
17.40292
17.40664
17.40772
17.27050

121.40686
121.41839
121.26119
121.26111
121.15411

72
192
292
290
492

-7.62
-8.1
-8.24
-9.32
-9.37

-52.36
-56.99
-52.13
-60.19
-63.88

8.6
7.8
13.8
14.4
11.1

Mountain
Province

Sabangan

WSI-12-075

Lagan

17.00778

120.92736

1018

-10.12

-69.91

11.1

Bayombong

WSI-12-080

Magapuy

16.43353

121.11258

305

-5.8

-42.4

3.6

Bambang

WSI-12-081

San
Leonardo

16.38603

121.08572

336

-7.8

-54.4

8.2

Nagtipunan

WSI-12-016

Aglipay

WSI-12-017

Source
Name
Larion Alto
Namabbalan
Cataggaman

10-Jun-12

WSI-12-166

Piat
Ifugao

Isabela

Province
Cagayan

Nueva
Vizcaya

Quirino

City/
Municipality
Tuguegarao

PNRI Code
WSI-12-007
WSI-12-035
WSI-12-037

Date sampled
5-Jun-12
6-Jun-12
7-Jun-12

Baggao

WSI-12-041

Gonzaga

20-Feb-13

22-Feb-13

22-Feb-13

7-Jun-12
7-Jun-12

Dipantan

Cagayan River,
Abbag Bridge

16.25850

121.65142

170

-7.9

-39.6

23.3

Palacian

Addalam River

16.47114

121.62725

97

-7.3

-44.4

13.8

2-38

River water samples from Ifugao, Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and
Nueva Vizcaya, have had barely signs of evaporation as most data points lie
within the limits of GMWL and PMWL (Figure 2-19). The behavior is consistent
during the loss of groundwater from the saturated zone as described by
Quiazon and De Luna (unpublished). Moreover, relatively depleted isotope
values from higher elevation particularly in Kalinga, Mountain Province and
Nueva Vizcaya were also observed as part of isotope fractionation due to
altitude effects. On the other hand, some river waters, particularly those that
were sampled in Cagayan and Quirino, lay on top of GMWL and PMWL which
may indicate runoff coming from artificial sources such as water from dams,
pools, or irrigation waters.

Figure 2-19. Stable isotope data of river waters within WRR2. The data were plotted against that of the
PMWL (2H =8 18O + 12; Abaya, 2005), GMWL (2H = 8.0 18O + 10; Craig, 1961) and WRR2 LMWL
(2H =8.6 18O + 13.3).

2-39

5. Springs

Three (3) spring water samples were collected from the provinces of Ifugao (1250
m.a.s.l.), Mountain Province (1020 m.a.s.l.) and Nueva Vizcaya (1314 m.a.s.l.).
Details of the location can be seen in Table 2-5 while the map location is shown in
Figure 2-20. The data lie within the limits of GMWL and PMWL as seen in Figure 221. The relatively depleted isotope values is attributed to the fractionation of water
isotopes due altitude effects (Gerardo-Abaya, 2005).

Figure 2-20. Map location of spring samples in WRR2 with Oxygen-18 values.

2-40

Figure 2-21. Stable isotope data of the spring water samples (n=3) collected from provinces of Ifugao,
Mountain Province, and Nueva Vizcaya. The data were plotted against that of the PMWL (2H =8 18O
+ 12; Abaya, 2005), GMWL (2H = 8.0 18O + 10; Craig, 1961) and WRR2 LMWL (2H =8.6 18O +
13.3).

Table 2-5. Stable isotope values of spring water samples collected within Ifugao, Mountain Province and Nueva
Vizcaya of WRR2.
Province
Ifugao

City/
Municipality
Banaue

PNRI Code
WSI-12-076

Mt.
Province

Bontoc

WSI-12-074

Nueva
Vizcaya

Sta. Fe

WSI-12-203

Date
sampled
21-Feb-13
20-Feb-13

22-Feb-13

Long.
121.05692

Elev.
(masl)
1250

18
O
()
-8.8

2H
()
-56.6

D-excess
13.5

17.01950

120.93353

1020

-9.8

-66.8

11.4

16.12833

120.90278

1314

-9.4

-65.1

9.9

Source
Name
Amganad

Lat.
16.89725

Gonogon

Spring

2-41

6. Groundwater Dating

Groundwater mean residence time or groundwater age provides valuable insight on


the dynamics of groundwater recharge as well as the vulnerability of the aquifer.
Generally, groundwater with shorter mean residence time would mean that the aquifer
is being recharged relatively faster than that of groundwater with longer mean
residence time.

A total of six (6) groundwater samples were collected from boreholes in Tuguegarao,
Ilagan and Nueva Vizcaya (See Table 2-6). The map distribution of the samples
indicating the groundwater ages obtained from 3H-3He is shown in Figure 2-22.

Table 2-6. Groundwater samples with Tritium and Tritium-Helium-3 data for estimation of mean residence time.

City/
Municipality
Tuguegarao
Ilagan

Diadi, NV

Station
Linao
Namabbalan
Guinatan
Alibagu
Mabini
Scoting

Lat.
17.65883
17.55250
17.13931
17.10261
16.70033
16.66039

Long.
121.72658
121.78194
121.87797
121.85864
121.56308
121.36950

Elev.
(masl)
28
20
53
76
92
235

Max. well
depth
(mbgl)
63
50
80
131
6

18O
()
-8.35
-7.21
-7.30
-7.11
-6.63
-7.62

2H
()
-53.53
-51.92
-48.17
-47.04
-45.19
-51.24

Tritium
conc.
(TU)
0.7
0.5
0.8
0.7
0.8
2.1

Age in years
(Tritum/Helium-3)
33
38
9
28
12
3

2-42

33y
38y

28y

3y

9y

12y

Figure 2-22. Groundwater ages in WRR2 based on 3H/3He dating. Groundwater drawn from shallow well (6 mbgl)
from Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya had the shortest mean residence time of about 3 years which may be expected of shallow
wells(6 mbgl) from recharge areas. Mixed groundwater ages of about 9 to 38 years were observed in the plains with
elevation of about 20m to 50 m.a.s.l.

2-43

IV.

CONCLUSIONS

Isotope techniques has been applied in assessing freshwater sources in Water


Resources Region 2 at a basin scale. The results provided insight on the general
hydrological features of groundwater and surface water alike. Findings based on
isotope technique were found to be consistent with previous hydrogeological
investigations (Quiazon and De Luna, unpublished). Both shallow and deep
groundwater were found to be recharged locally by rain. The wide variability in stable
isotope range in shallow and deep wells can be attributed to differences in geological
overlay along the plains of Cagayan and Isabela province. Furthermore, factors such
as borehole design could have influenced the wide range in isotope values in deep
wells as different aquifers may had been tapped for freshwater production.

Majority of isotope values from river water samples were found within that of the
GMWL and PMWL but with relatively depleted values. This could be an indication of
some saturated unconfined aquifers leaking to the streams, a groundwater-to-surface
water mechanism which was previously suggested by Quiazon and De Luna.

The limited data on springs may not be enough to draw generalized conclusion but the
relatively depleted values of water from three springs in Ifugao, Mountain Province
and Nueva Vizcaya and were nonetheless consistent with the typical values expected
from groundwater at high elevation areas (Gerardo-Abaya, 2005).

Similarly, the limited precipitation may not be enough to clearly establish the local
meteoric water line for WRR2. However, it was shown that either Philippine meteoric
water line (Gerardo-Abaya, 2005) or the Global meteoric water line (Craig, 1969) may
be used for convenience especially on initial investigations. The long term annual
mean of Oxygen-18 in rain was estimated to be -7.3. This value was used
throughout the isotope graphs to qualitatively identify which groundwater systems
share similar recharge processes.

2-44

REFERENCES
Aggarwal, P.K., Frhlich, K., Kulkarni, K.M. and Gourcy, L.L. 2004. Stable Isotope
Evidence for Moisture Sources in the Asian Summer Monsoon Under Present and Past
Climate Regimes. Geophys. Res. Lett. 31 (8): 1 4.
Castaeda, S., Fernandez, G.L., Ascao, L., Ramos, A., Conjares, A.E. and Africa, L.
Application of Isotope and Chemical Techniques in the Study of Davao City
Groundwater Resources. Unpublished Report.
Clark, I. and Fritz, P. 1997. Environmental Isotopes in Hydrogeology. Lewis Publ.,
Boca Raton. 328.
Craig, H. (1961). Isotopic variations in meteoric waters. Science, 133, 1702-1703.
Dessie A. & Bredemeier M. (2013). The Effect of Deforestation on Water Quality: A
Case Study in Cienda Micro Watershed, Leyte, Philippines, Resources and
Environment, Vol. 3 No. 1, 2013, pp. 1-9. doi: 10.5923/j.re.20130301.01.
Gerardo-Abaya, J. (2005). Determination of recharge from stable isotope data to the
hydrological systems in the Southern Negros Geothermal Field and its environs,
Philippines. Proceedings World Geothermal Congress 2005 Antalya, Turkey, 24-29
April 2005.
Kendall, C. and McDonnell, J.J., 1998. Isotope Tracers in Catchment Hydrology.
Elsevier Science, The Netherlands, p. 840.
Mendoza, N.DS., Sucgang, R.J. and Castaeda, S.S. 2010. Low-level tritium
measurement in freshwater sources in the Philippines using electrolytic enrichment
and liquid scintillation spectrometry. Phil. Nucl. J. 15: 15-22.
Quiazon, H.P. & De Luna, E. (unpublished report). Groundwater in Cagayan Basin
Northeastern Luzon by Hernando P. Quiazon (Supervising Geologist I) and Efren De
Luna (Geologist). Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippines.
Rao, S.M., Kulkarni, K.M., 1997. Isotope hydrology studies on water resources in
western Rajasthan. Curr. Sci. 72: 55-61.
Ranada, Pia (2014). Bulacan deforestation drying up Metro Manila water supply.
Retrieved online at: http://www.rappler.com/science-nature/environment/60761-ipowatershed-mismanagement-denr-mwss. Last accessed: 30 January 2016
UNESCO (1987). The role of water in socio-economic development. Report 1 of IHPII Project. W.E. Cox, ed.. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization. 7, place de Fontenoy, 75700 Paris
Yurtsever, Y and Araguas-Araguas, L. 1993. Environmental Isotope Application in
Hydrology: An Overview of the IAEAs Activities, Experiences, and Prospects. Tracers
in Hydrology (Proceedings of the Yokohama Symposium, July 1993). IAHS 215: 3-19.

2-45

SUPPLEMENTAL FIGURES
The following figures are examples of well designs and strata records in Cagayan and
Isabela Wells.

Supplemental Figure 1. Well Record of Deep Production well (100m mbgl) in Cagayan

2-46

Supplemental Figure 2. Well Record of Shallow well (30m mbgl) in Cagayan

2-47

Supplemental Figure 3. Well Record of Deep well (150m mbgl) in Isabela

2-48

Supplemental Figure 4. Well Record of Shallow well (30m mbgl) in Isabela

2-49

GEOLOGICAL MAPS OF PROVINCES IN WATER RESOURCES REGION 2 FROM MINES & GEOSCIENCES BUREAU (1)

2-50

GEOLOGICAL MAPS OF PROVINCES IN WATER RESOURCES REGION 2 FROM MINES & GEOSCIENCES BUREAU (2)

2-51

GEOLOGICAL MAPS OF PROVINCES IN WATER RESOURCES REGION 2 FROM MINES & GEOSCIENCES BUREAU (3)

2-52

GEOLOGICAL MAPS OF PROVINCES IN WATER RESOURCES REGION 2 FROM MINES & GEOSCIENCES BUREAU (4)

2-53

CHAPTER 3
CONCLUDING REMARKS

I.

IMPACT OF THE STUDY

To minimize groundwater vulnerability to contamination and degradation associated with


sustainability and availability, managers, policy makers, and regulators need suitable
scientific basis to assess the risk to contamination and over-extraction of water supplies,
particularly drinking water, for the effective implementation of proper management and
regulation. The incorporation of geochemical and environmental isotopes techniques in
this study has improved the understanding of groundwater recharge processes in Region
2 and Region 10 in the Philippines. This study provides benchmark isotope data that will
be useful for monitoring the impact of long term operation of the production wells and
development of new water sources in the two regions. Further the results of the study
provide impetus for further investigations in water critical areas.

Appreciation of the results of the study and the advantage of isotope techniques in
accelerating information gathering and understanding of hydrological processes has
prompted the National Water Resources Board in integrating isotope hydrology
techniques in the national groundwater resources assessment program.

3-1

II.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP STUDIES

Limitations in the sampling network, particularly of the surface water, and the
difficulty in accessing some water sources, particularly upstream, precluded the
collection of more resolved spatial and temporal data to make quantitative
assessment of groundwater recharge components. Further work in the area is
required to evaluate the use of isotope data to quantitatively assess the relative
contribution of surface water to the groundwater recharge.

Collection of isotope data for precipitation has to be sustained.

Integration of hydrogeological information in the interpretation of the isotopic


results still has to be done. Further discussion with hydrogeologists to verify the
agreement of interpretations made based on isotope data and the hydrogeological
information is important to obtain more meaningful interpretation.

To establish tritium time-series data for representative aquifer type in the area to
be used as a calibration reference point for the particular aquifer type. This will
enable accurate age determination and prediction of arrival of contaminants from
the surface.

III.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REGULATOR AND OPERATORS

Results of the field investigations provided evidence of modern recharge to the


groundwater, both in Region 2 and Region 10.

Monitoring for potential

contaminants to the groundwater from surface water should, therefore, be

3-2

conducted. Results also show that rainfall during the rainy months contribute
significantly to the recharge. Focus monitoring on periods towards the end of
wet seasons or following excessive rainfall events such as when floods occur.
Measures to minimize surface water contamination should be implemented.

A monitoring program for groundwater quality status around the vicinity of rivers
is suggested. Monitoring wells should be sited both in the up gradient and down
gradient of the river.

3-3

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