Effects of Volcanic Rocks on Agricultural Soils

Introduction
The role of volcanic rocks in agricultural soils has long been essential as it provides a potential
source of nutrients for plants and soil. Several crucial chemical components that are vitally
important to crops are locked within the minerals of which the volcanic rocks are abundant.
Thus, upon breakdown of these minerals by natural processes these essential components are
then released to the soils and act as fertilizers for plants. This study aims to relate the chemical
components present in volcanic rocks and its potential effect to the crops in agricultural soils.

How is volcanic rocks use in soil?

Volcanic rocks are usually pulverized to its finer form to increase the surface area for higher
reactivity. Igneous rocks from volcanoes like basalt have the highest mineral content. This means
that they provide the biggest benefit for your soil. Several studies showed that areas near the
vicinity of volcanoes manifested an enriched soil suitable for farming this can be correlated to
the presence of volcanic rocks which are abundant in nutrients for plants.

What are the chemical components essential to the growth of soils?

Technically speaking, fertilizers are classified based on the levels of Nitrogen, Phosporous and
Potassium present. However, most volcanic rocks do not have the qualifying level to be
considered as fertilizers. Thus, its real benefit to enhance soil growth lies from the presence of
mineral components and from the presence of trace elements like Iron and Manganese.

a. Manganese
Manganese is used in plants as a major contributor to various biological systems
including photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen assimilation. Manganese is also
involved in pollen germination, pollen tube growth, root cell elongation and
resistance to root pathogens. Deficiency in Manganese may reduce plant growth.
Manganese deficiency can occur when the pH of the growing medium exceeds 6.5.
Manganese toxicity symptoms begin with the burning of the tips and margins of older
leaves or as reddish-brown spots across older leaves. Severe toxicity may result in
spots becoming more numerous and larger, forming patches on the older leaves. At
pH levels below 5.5, manganese is very soluble and toxicity symptoms are probable
 b. Iron
Iron is mainly involved in the process of plant photosynthesis. The micronutrient's
availability to plant roots depends on the pH level of the soil with iron more readily
available in soil with a low pH. Iron and manganese both play an important role in
plant growth and development, but often compete for absorption, as an abundance of
one of these micronutrients makes the other less available to plant roots. Fertilizers
should contain an equal ratio of manganese and iron so both are readily available to
plants. Iron toxicity is not common, but some plants do secrete acids from the roots,
which lowers soil pH. These plants can take up too much iron, leading to toxicity.
The symptoms of iron toxicity include bronzing and stippling of leaves. The leaf
discoloration is caused by the plant creating enzymes to control free radicals that are
present in high iron levels. Some plants that are prone to iron toxicity include
tomatoes, basil, phlox and impatiens.

Effects of Ph levels in soils?

Soil pH affects the amount of nutrients and chemicals that are soluble in soil water, and therefore
the amount of nutrients available to plants. Some nutrients are more available under acid
conditions while others are more available under alkaline conditions. However, most mineral
nutrients are readily available to plants when soil pH is near neutral. Alkaline soils may have
problems with deficiencies of nutrients such as zinc, copper, boron and manganese. Soils with an
extremely alkaline pH (greater than 9) are likely to have high levels of sodium. The correct
balance is where the soil pH is between 5.5 and 7.5, so every effort should be taken to check soil
pH levels regularly. Early identification of soil pH problems is important as it can be both costly
and difficult to correct long-term nutrient deficiencies.
Embankment Protection using Armored Rocks

Introduction
The most common geological hazard occurring at the embankments of rivers is bank erosion.
Thus, several mitigating measures were applied to prolong the efficiency of t he banks including
anthropogenic structures such as dam, dyke, levees and etc. One of the most cost- effective
methods of embankment protection is through utilization of armored rocks and by organizing
them into a riprap layer parallel to the current banks

What is an armored rock?

Armored rocks are materials that are place in layers parallel to the embankments of the shores or
streams, these materials act as a barrier from stream or wave impacts for the purpose of
decreasing the momentum of the current as it strikes the embankments.

What is a Riprap?
Characterized as collection of materials organized in a parallel manner as to prevent scour,
erosion or sloughing of an embankment or structure. Ripraps are not primarily restricted to rocks
but can be rubble, broken concrete slabs, deformed concretes (slabs, blocks, rectangular, prisms,
etc.) as well. These materials are similar to rock in that they can be hand-placed or dumped onto
an embankment to form a flexible revetment

Common Causes for a riprap failure

a. Stone size is not large enough
b. Individual stones removed by impact or abrasion
c. Slump – side slope of the bank so steep that the angle of repose of the riprap material
is easily exceeded

What factors to look for a good armored rock?

Stone or other material used for riprap is exposed to extreme environmental conditions.
Therefore, the rocks should be hard, dense and durable. In addition, it should be resistant to
weathering, free from overburden, spoil, shale and organic material. Rock or rubble that is
laminated, fractured, porous, or otherwise physically weak is unacceptable as rock slope
protection. Stone shape is another important factor in the selection of an appropriate riprap
material. In general, riprap constructed with angular material has the best performance.
Definition of terms

Armored rocks - Armored rocks are materials that are place in layers parallel to the
embankments of the shores or streams, these materials act as a barrier from stream or wave
impacts for the purpose of decreasing the momentum of the current as it strikes the
embankments.

Riprap - Characterized as collection of materials organized in a parallel manner as to prevent

scour, erosion or sloughing of an embankment or structure.

Volcanic rocks – Rocks that formed from a cooling magma outside of the earth’s surface

Ph Level - is a measure of how acidic/basic water is. The range goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being
neutral. pHs of less than 7 indicate acidity, whereas a pH of greater than 7 indicates a base.

Fertilizer - is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues
to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants.
Related Laws

Presdential Decree No. 1067

WATER CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
CHAPTER V

Control of Waters

ARTICLE 53. To promote the best interest and the coordinated protection of flood plain
lands, the Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communications may declare
flood control areas and promulgate guidelines for governing flood plain management
plans in these areas.

ARTICLE 54. In declared flood control areas, rules and regulations may be promulgated
to prohibit or control activities that may damage or cause deterioration of lakes and
dikes, obstruct the flow of water, change the natural flow of the river, increase flood
losses or aggravate flood problems.

ARTICLE 55. The government may construct necessary flood control structures in
declared flood control areas, and for this purpose it shall have a legal easement as wide
as may be needed along and adjacent to the river bank and outside the bed or channel
of the river.

ARTICLE 56. River beds, sand bars and tidal flats may not be cultivated except upon
prior permission from the Secretary of the Department of Public Works, Transportation
and Communication and such permission shall not be granted where such cultivation
obstructs the flow of water or increase flood levels so as to cause damage to other
areas.

ARTICLE 57. Any person may erect levees or revetments to protect his property from
flood, encroachment by the river or change in the course of the river, provided that such
constructions does not cause damage to the property of another.

ARTICLE 58. When a river or stream suddenly changes its course to traverse private
lands, the owners of the affected lands may not compel the government to restore the
river to its former bed; nor can they restrain the government from taking steps to revert
the river or stream to its former course. The owners of the lands thus affected are not
entitled to compensation for any damage sustained thereby. However, the former
owners of the new bed shall be the owners of the abandoned bed in proportion to the
area lost by each.
The owners of the affected lands may undertake to return the river or stream to its old
bed at their own expense; Provided, That a permit therefor is secured from the
Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Communication and work pertaining
thereto are commenced within two years from the change in the course of the river or
stream.

ARTICLE 59. Rivers, lakes and lagoons may, upon the recommendation of the
Philippine Coast Guard, be declared navigable either in whole or in part.

ARTICLE 60. The rafting of logs and other objects on rivers and lakes which are
floatable may be controlled or prohibited during designated season of the year with due
regard to the needs of irrigation and domestic water supply and other uses of water.

ARTICLE 61. The impounding of water in ponds or reservoirs may be prohibited by the
Council upon consultation with the Department of Health if it is dangerous to public
health, or it may order that such pond or reservoir be drained if such is necessary for
the protection of public health.

ARTICLE 62. Waters of a stream may be stored in a reservoir by a permittee in such

amount as will not prejudice the right of any permittee downstream. Whoever operates
the reservoir shall, when required, release water for minimum stream flow.

All reservoir operations shall be subject to rules and regulations issued by the Council
or any proper government agency.

ARTICLE 63. The operator of a dam for the storage of water may be required to employ
an engineer possessing qualifications prescribed for the proper operations,
maintenance and administration of the dam.

ARTICLE 64. The Council shall approve the manner, location, depth, and spacing in
which borings for subterranean or ground water may be made, determine the
requirements for the registration of every boring or alteration to existing borings as well
as other control measures for the exploitation of subterranean or ground water
resources, and in coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission prescribe
the qualifications of those who would drill such borings.

No person shall drill a well without prior permission from the Council.

ARTICLE 65. Water from one river basin may be transferred to another river basin only
with approval of the Council. In considering any request for such transfer, the Council
shall take into account the full costs of the transfer, the benefits that would accrue to the
basin of origin without the transfer, the benefits would accrue to the receiving basin on
account of the transfer, alternative schemes for supplying water to the receiving basin,
and other relevant factors.
DAO 2010-21
IRR OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7942

Section 72C. Any qualified Person may apply for an Exclusive Sand and Gravel Permit (MGB
Form No. 8-4B) with the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board for extraction, removal and
utilization of sand and gravel and other loose or unconsolidated materials from public land for its
own use covering an area of not more than one (1) hectare for a non-renewable period not
exceeding sixty (60) calendar days and a maximum volume of fifty (50) cubic meters; Provided,
that there will be no commercial disposition thereof

Section 73a. Gratuitous Permits, Government Gratuitous Permit Any Government

entity/instrumentality in need of quarry, sand and gravel or loose/unconsolidated materials in the
construction of building(s) and/or infrastructure for public use or other purposes may apply for a
Government Gratuitous Permit (MGB Form No. 8-3B) with the Provincial Governor/City Mayor
through the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board for a period coterminous with the
construction stage of the project but not to exceed one (1) year in public/private land(s) covering
an area of not more than two (2) hectares. The applicant shall submit a project proposal stating
where the materials to be taken shall be used and the estimated volume needed.

Section 73b. Private Gratuitous Permit Any landowner may apply for a Private Gratuitous Permit
with the Provincial Governor/City Mayor through the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Board
for the extraction, removal and utilization of quarry, sand and gravel or loose/unconsolidated
materials from his/her land for a non-renewable period of sixty (60) calendar days: Provided,
That there is adequate proof of ownership and that the materials shall be for personal use.
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1067

A DECREE INSTITUTING A WATER CODE, THEREBY REVISING AND

CONSOLIDATING THE LAWS GOVERNING THE OWNERSHIP, APPROPRIATION,
UTILIZATION, EXPLOITATION, DEVELOPMENT, CONSERVATION AND
PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES

CHAPTER IV

Utilization of Waters

ARTICLE 33. Water contained in open canals, aqueducts or reservoirs of private

persons may be used by any person for domestic purpose or for watering plants as long
as the water is withdrawn by manual methods without checking the stream or damaging
the canal, aqueduct or reservoir; Provided, That this right may be restricted by the
owner should it result in loss or injury to him.

ARTICLE 34. A water permittee or appropriator may use any watercourse to convey
water to another point in the watercourse for the purpose stated in a permit and such
water may be diverted or recaptured at that point by said permittee in the same amount
less allowance for normal losses in transit.

ARTICLE 35. Works for the storage, diversion, distribution and utilization of water
resources shall contain adequate provision for the prevention and control of diseases
that may be induced or spread by such works when required by the Council.

ARTICLE 38. Authority for the construction of dams, bridges and other structures across
of which may interfere with the flow of navigable or floatable waterways shall first be
secured from the Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications.

ARTICLE 39. Except in cases of emergency to save life or property, the construction or
repair of the following works shall be undertaken only after the plans and specifications
therefor, as may be required by the Council, are approved by the proper government
agency; dams for the diversion or storage of water; structures for the use of water
power, installations for the utilization of subterranean or ground water and other
structures for utilization of water resources.
ARTICLE 43. No person shall raise or lower the water level of a river stream, lake,
lagoon or marsh nor drain the same without a permit.

ARTICLE 46. When artificial means are employed to drain water from higher to lower
land, the owner of the higher land shall select the routes and methods of drainage that
will cause the minimum damage to the lower lands, subject to the requirements of just
compensation.

ARTICLE 47. When the use, conveyance or storage of waters results in damage to
another, the person responsible for the damage shall pay compensation.

ARTICLE 48. When a water resources project interferes with the access of landowner to
a portion of his property or with the conveyance of irrigation or drainage water, the
person or agency constructing the project shall bear the cost of construction and
maintenance of the bridges, flumes and other structures necessary for maintaining
access, irrigation, or drainage, in addition to paying compensation for land and
incidental damages.