CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines—A research study conducted by Samar State University (SSU) directly contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Life Below Water as it emphasized the need for stronger coastal management and pollution control. Led by Arizza Joy Tan-Evardone, Andrew Gamba, Coleen Tibar, and Diana Shane Alcazar-Balindo, the study on “Evaluating heavy metal levels in green mussels (Perna viridis, Linnaeus, 1758) across major farms in Samar, Philippines,” looked into the heavy metal content of green mussels, a widely consumed seafood commodity in the Samar Island.
The findings revealed elevated concentrations of lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in sampling sites located near fishing ports. This shows a strong link between human activities, coastal environments, and food safety. These results raise important concerns for aquaculture sustainability and public health, particularly for coastal communities that rely on green mussels as a source of nutrition and livelihood.
The study was recently published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. Read the full research here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2025.108818