About the 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.
Head
Carlo A. Arcilla, Ph.D. – high-temperature geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, mineral resource assessment, PMRC Competent Person Geologist
Contact Information
(02) 8981 8500 (loc. 3754 to 55)
Rm. 113 AAS Laboratory
Rm. 114 XRD/XRF Laboratory
Rm. 216 EMS Laboratory
Research in Geosciences
- Laterite Mineralogy and Geochemistry
- Igneous Petrology and Geochemistry
- Concrete Petrography
- Process Mineralogy
- Carbon Dioxide Geosequestration by Rocks and Minerals
- Generation of Hyperalkaline Non-Volcanic Springs
- Natural Analogue Studies for Radioactive Waste Disposal
- Mineral Dusts Health Hazards
- Contaminant and Radionuclide Migration and Attenuation
- Extremophiles
Equipment for Materials Characterization
- 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
Resource Evaluation Capability
- 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
Selected Projects Undertaken
- 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
Current and Ongoing Projects
Program ISCoPE: Interdisciplinary Studies on Concrete Petrography: Application on Resilience Building
Funding Agency: DOST PCIEERD
Project 1: SoPIA: Software for Petrographic Image Analysis for Concrete Petrography
Implementing Agency: UP-NIGS
Duration: 2 Years
Project 2: ExCON: Effects of Extreme Weather Conditions on Coastal Concrete
Infrastructure: Determining Appropriate Concrete Cover Thickness
Implementing Agency: UP-Resilience Institute
Duration: 2 years and 2 months
Occurrence and speciation of Chromium in Drinking water sources in Claver, Surigao del Norte, Philippines
Funding Agency: Nickel Asia Philippines,
Duration: August 2023 to February 2024
Research Activities for 2024
Papers published in International-Peer Reviewed Journals
- Delina, R.E., Tan, M., Garcia, J.J., Arcilla, C.A., et.al., Immobilization of Chromium by Iron Oxides in Nickel–Cobalt Laterite Mine Tailings, Environmental Science & Technology, (March 2025).
International Conference Presentations
- Tanpoco, C.N., Ybañez, A.B., Aguda, N.R., Arcilla, C.A., Cuyno, K.B., Jimenez, J.C., Nuñez, A.R., Ramirez, A.P.,Sabandal, J.O. Application of Petrography to the Assessment of Philippine Coastal Concrete Structures Exposed to Extreme Weather Conditions,37th International Geological Congress, Busan, South Korea
Local Conference Presentations
- Arcilla, C.A., Aguda, N.R., Jimenez, J.C., Tanpoco, C.N., Sabandal, J.O. The Role of Petrography in Construction Sector: Formulation of Philippine Standards for Quality Assurance of Aggregates and Concrete Products, GEOCON 2024, Novotel, Cubao, Metro Manila, Philippines
Major Equipment Acquired/Upgraded
- High Performance Computing Server with GPU (Housed at UP-Department of Computer Science)
MOA’s entered with Local/Foreign Institutions
- SoPIA Project with DPWH-Bureau of Research and Standards
- SoPIA Project with Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
Faculty, Research Staff and Students Members (as of Dec 2024)
Graduate Students
- Jhonard John L. Garcia
- Jeremy James C. Jimenez
- Chelly Mei N. Tanpoco
- Maria Elizabeth S. Laus
- Dainty Clarice V. Rabang
- Xandr Neal B. Uboan
- Donna Mae P. Longga
- Kris Montefalcon
Undergraduate Students
- Aaron Jude G. Medel
- Angela D. Gotladera
- Cairo Gabriel R. Nillo
- Jerome Mesina
- Joshua F. Macuja
- Marcus Gabriel H. Mendoza
Project Staff
- Nancy Aguda
- Kate B. Cuyno
- Jam Sabandal
- Melissa Laporga
- Mark Tan
- Lister Rabino
- John Mack Madridano
- Maria Ivy Dela Pesa
- Leticia Maria Diana Caldejon
- Josh Alec Askin
- Matthew Menorca
- Jejomar Derecho
- Diane Valdez
- Angelou Nunez
- Annabelle Ramirez
- Raymond Gallego
- Meg Earl Isorena
- Josephine Rafols
Recent Awards and Recognition
- Dainty Clarice V. Rabang
- Honorable Mention for the Geoscience Ambassador of the Year by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), March 19, 2024.
