Opinion by j.b9
Visuals by OrKid
It’s true. Manila Bay’s dolomite white sand is more picturesque than a Coca-Cola bottle swimming in its waters. But we cannot bury in the sand the health hazard and marine ecosystem disruption that it could induce. This beautification project is merely aesthetic, a non-sustainable rehabilitation of the polluted stretch of Manila Bay.
The project fell short of an engineering cornerstone. Ambitious project as such requires engineering intervention to make sure that material is suitable, the sand is well-maintained, and the project itself is sustainable. Hence, this is just another deceptive stunt that captures the attention of the masses with the outer beauty. But underneath the sand are stinking negligence and poor assessment. And yet, there are those who are thrilled to take pictures with the pristine white sand without being aware of the underlying issues.
To start, this so-called “beach nourishment” project has adverse health effects. Prolonged exposure to dolomite may pose a threat to the respiratory system. The material at the center of the controversy is a naturally occurring and a common rock-forming mineral. According to Dr. Evelyn Laurito, a retired professor from the UST Chemical Engineering Department and an expert on environmental engineering, the mineral itself is non-toxic, but the dust from the mining process, if inhaled, can cause respiratory damage. Dolomite sand, depending on the size, may be blown by the wind and become dust (2.5 to 10 microns are the regulated size by DENR). These dust particulates may enter the lungs and cause respiratory disease. Not to mention that it may also contain silica, which causes scarring in the lungs, and traces of metals like lead and iron.
And just when it sounded bad already, dolomite sand, like other sand or dust particles, has also the ability to adsorb sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) or even microorganisms like viruses on its surface. Dr. Laurito warned that these aerosols can aggravate respiratory diseases. For example, SOx and NOx can react with water present in the lungs to form sulfuric and nitric acids.
As much as the people taking selfies with it admire it, our folks under the sea won't definitely enjoy it. Although the crushed dolomite can lower the acidity level of polluted streams like Manila bay, it can increase the concentration of suspended sediments in the water. Consequently, it leads to siltation or sediment pollution which takes a heavy toll on fish breeding areas, such as the case of Lake Baringo as reported by Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute. In the country, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) stated in a report that corals within a 500-meter area of a certain town’s waters were destroyed by the dolomite extraction in Alcoy, Cebu, the source of artificial sand in Manila Bay. This was also due to heavy siltation caused by crushed dolomite leaking into the sea. Hence, it could disrupt the marine ecosystem in the area.
This project is a complete waste of resources, since it’s only a matter of time before the dolomite sand will be washed away. Every shoreline is subject to erosion brought about by waves and currents. Engineering groundwork must be done to ensure that the dolomite sand overlay will be preserved. However, knowing that more than 20 typhoons visit us each year and Manila Bay experiences storm surge at times, the dumped crushed dolomite in the area will soon be carried away by strong waves. If that happens, Dr. Laurito said that it will settle in an ecosystem and interact with the organisms in it. And of course, since it is non-endemic, meaning not natural in the place, it will have implications on the deposition area. Sooner or later, the constant beating of the wind and waves will wipe the sand clean and become invasive to aquatic life.
Instead of funding a white sand beach that will soon be worn away, the government should have appropriated the P389-million budget in the sustainable rehabilitation of Manila Bay and the esteros nearby, which are the source of polluted water in the first place. Coastal clean-ups are just band-aid solutions to the problem. We cannot clean the downstream water bodies without cutting off the source like drainage systems and neglectful business establishments. More so, they are doing this cosmetic procedure at a time of great need. We are in the middle of a global health crisis. Our debt is breaching trillions of pesos. It’s not like the white sand can magically heal the COVID-19 patients.
It’s great that tourists will enjoy the sandy coast and awe-inspiring sunset. Meanwhile, the bustling cities and towns nearby will enjoy the revenue out of it. Many people are all thumbs-up to this very expensive, little art project of the government. Be that as it may, they are flaunting the dolomite white sand project at the expense of human health, environmental disruption, and waste of resources in a long term perspective.
The beauty of engineering is that we look beneath the surface and see beyond what’s visible. Without proper engineering intervention, the dolomite white sand strewn across a small bay area is just a mere ornament to a water nearly devoid of life.
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