Earth Materials Science Laboratory | National Institute of Geological Sciences

Earth Materials Science (EMS) Laboratory

The Earth Material Science Laboratory (EMS Lab) is a research laboratory that focuses on the role of earth materials in

the geochemical cycling and uptake of various elements in the earth’s crust;
how these substances are used as raw materials resources;
and processing of these materials to derive various use and functionality such as in nanotechnology and concrete technology.

Carlo A. Arcilla, Ph. D. – high-temperature geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, mineral resource assessment, PMRC Competent Person Geologist

02 981 8500 (loc. 3754 to 55)

Rm. 113 AAS Laboratory Room

Rm. 216 EMS Laboratory

Broad-Focus X-Ray Diffractometer with Thermal Controller Assembly
Benchtop X-Ray Diffractometer System
ICDD and Siroquant Softwares for Mineral Quantification
Large-Chambered Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer
Handheld X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer
Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometer with an Attenuated Total Reflection Accessory
Ultraviolet-Visible Light Spectrometer with Cold-Vapor Mercury Analyzer
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS)
Microwave Plasma – Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP-AES)
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) – co-managed by EML
Ion Chromatography System
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GCMS)
Petrographic Microscopes with Fluorescence and Fluid Inclusion Attachments
Transient Electromagnetics (TEM) Equipment
Computer-Controlled High-Temperature Furnace capable of reaching 1700°C

Drilling equipment (small diameter – deep penetration portable drills and HILTI large-diameter surface drill)
High-end computer hardware running image processing, hydrogeological, geochemical, and crystallographic modelling software
Hidden fault detection using Radon Gas Probes
RTK Differential GPS system (3 rovers and 1 base) with linked 2-ch Hydrographic Echo Sounder

Makati pipeline leak investigation and characterization
Argon gas detection of hidden segments of the West Marikina Valley Fault
Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of various nickel laterite and saprolite deposits
Concrete petrography as a quality assessment tool of concrete
Natural analogue studies for nuclear waste disposal with Bedrock Geosciences (Switzerland) and Obayashi Corporation (Japan)
Nickel and iron resource evaluation for Century Peak Holdings, Marcventures Mining and Development Corp., PGMC, Intex Minerals
Bentonite-zeolite resource evaluation for Saile Mines (Pangasinan)
Process mineralogy for OceanaGold Corporation
Hexavalent Cr monitoring in ultramafic watersheds
Carbon Dioxide sequestration in hyperalkaline springs
Philippine black sand mineral characterization
REEs and Scandium in laterites

Concrete petrography as a quality assessment tool of hardened concrete from lifeline structures in the Philippines
Geological, chemical and physical evaluation of concrete raw materials used in critical Philippine infrastructures