[SCI-TECH] Dolomite Sand: Worth it or Washed Out?
by Sandra Fagerstrom
In the Philippines, white-sand beaches are usually associated with the magnificent last frontier in Palawan, or to the small heaven-like paradise of Boracay. Up to now, these gratifying sceneries are what makes of relaxing beaches. However, these views are now not only limited to provinces and places far from the city’s capital as the national government, in partnership with the Manila administration, aimed to salvage the beauty of Manila Bay after months of cleaning and sanitizing through the addition of something major, the controversial Dolomite sand.
WATCH: What is Dolomite? courtesy of Nivremus Trends
What is Dolomite Sand?
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock, usually used for acid neutralization, stream restoration projects, and as a soil conditioner. Dolomite Sand is a crushed-up version of the mineral, which was then overlaid on top of the original gray sand of the area. Due to the pale color of the mineral, it was able to mimic the famed White Sand Beaches our country is famous for, giving an aesthetically pleasing look to the once dour looking area. The government officials in charge of this project claims that this was implemented to imitate the visual aesthetic of white sand beaches in Manila Bay, and that it would be able to benefit the mental health of the Filipino people, overall bring about a positive change and confirming that their decision was for the best, as mentioned by Palace spokesperson Harry Roque.
Ok, so it looks nice. What’s the commotion all about, then?
A lot, actually.
Environmentally speaking, multiple controversies regarding the dolomite ‘sand’ have surfaced ever since it was first announced and implemented by the Philippine government, where studies claimed that this might instead be detrimental to the surrounding life and health of both human and aquatic life. As mentioned, Dolomite is usually utilized in chemical-based projects, and as stated by the Department of Health, long-term exposure can cause damage to the lungs, even cancer due to the heavy compounds present in the mineral. Irritation can also be a side effect to the small particles of the crushed mineral, especially to sensitive areas of the body, like the eyes.
Now moving on to the possible problems faced by the ecosystem of the area, Dolomite Sand may react negatively to the few corals that inhabit the area, as these two are made of calcium carbonate; and with no corals, fish will refrain from visiting the area. In addition, it has already been emphasized that the problems and issues listed by the government that can be solved by the dolomite sand are not a one-shot deal, meaning that the true restoration of Manila Bay will take time and effort, and instead of simply finding a way to make the area look cleaner, there should be long-term planning and consultations with multiple experts, such as those working under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as other professionals working in the field.
Even though the government claimed the Dolomite Sand being a project for the benefit of the people, the many health risks that can arise from this will ultimately face unprecedented effects to those in constant contact with the area. Hopefully, the government meets the required countermeasures and precautions to these problems in due time so that even Manila will have its own ‘Pocket’ Beach to be experienced by local and national communities and — if implemented well enough — be showcased around the world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Generally known as optimistic and energetic, I have never felt more drained in my life, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Juggling the maintenance of good grades with a casual art career, I also aim to write more, and with the opportunity of the Tigercubs to express myself with
a colorful vocabulary (In a good way!) I hope to be able to excel in various other fields. Aside from the aforementioned activities, I also spend my time listening to video essays, tutorials, and podcasts, with the subjects ranging from art, true crime, reviews, and character analyses. However, even with the struggle of multitasking, I believe that a positive personality will see me through!
