Earth Materials Science (EMS) Laboratory


About

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

ems.labs@nigs.upd.edu.ph

ems.geochem@nigs.upd.edu.ph

02 981 8500 (loc. 3754 to 55)

Rm. 113 AAS Laboratory Room

Rm. 216 EMS Laboratory

EMS Concrete Petrography 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 

The EMS Lab houses an extensive array of scientific instruments:

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

DOST-PCIEERD Projects

  • 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

Faculty, Research Staff and Graduate Students

  • Ruth Esther Delina
  • Dainty Clarice Rabang
  • Aimee Jajalla
  • Josephine Rafols
  • James Jeremy Jimenez
  • Maria Elizabeth Laus
  • Kate Cuyno
  • Chelly Mei Tanpoco
  • Arviel Rivera
  • Jhonard John Garcia
  • Earl Conan Casalme
  • Mark Tan
  • Xandr Neal Uboan
  • Donna Mae Longga

Undergraduate Students

  • Ruth Antonette Raganit
  • Christine Joy Araneta
  • Adrian Libre
  • Loris Bianca Aballa
  • Christine Sarah Ramos

Research Laboratories