Research Chapter 1 1

Republic of the Philippines
Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

Division of City Schools
DON PABLO LORENZO MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Gov. Ramos Ave. Sta. Maria
Zamboanga City
“SEA URCHIN (Arbacia lixula) SHELLS AS AN ALTERNATIVE “MATERIAL
FOR BRICK”
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY
Student Researcher:
ELYSSA MAE E. TUBALLA
Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School
Research Adviser:
ALDRIAN DHEEN M. MAGNAYE
S.Y. 2023-2024
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
Bricks has been a great contribution for the construction field and to the whole
world. According to Edokpayi (2021) alongside the release of air pollutants during brick
making, there is also the creation of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Releasing of greenhouse
gases Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide
(NO), and Methane (CH4) plays a role for unusual climate changes. Globally,
approximately 70% of overall greenhouse gas emissions stem from the combustion of
fossil fuels within industrial sectors. But bricks contain chemicals that are harmful for the
environment, harmful ingredients like limestone, sulphides and sulphates, alkalies, iron
pyrites and etc. Modern construction design demands cutting-edge technology and
environmentally friendly material to comply the environmental standard and safety set by
the involved implementing third parties. Traditional building bricks, while sturdy and
strong, come with a significant amount of environmental costs i.e., high energy
consumption during actual manufacturing process and the depletion of non-renewable
resources. Thus, there is an interest in searching for better alternatives to cater such
problems.
Sea urchin, are composed of primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and it
comprises more than 4% of earth’s crust (Phys, 2017), which can also be found in natural
building material like limestone and marble. The incorporation of calcium carbonate-
based elements sourced from sea urchin spines has been discovered to produce notable
impacts on the quality of brick (Scispace, n.d). The chemical composition is mainly
responsible for the strength and durability, making the capable of withstanding
tremendous compressive force. It was revealed that the shells and spines of sea urchin
skeletons consist calcium–organic composite materials fitted with other metals: Mg, Fe,
Zn, and Rb (Drozdov et al., 2016).
The research proponent would like to propose a study that caters the need of good
and quality bricks without compromising its effect on our delicate environment. Sea
urchins as an alternative material for brick making will pave its way to search for
opportunities in exploring environmental-friendly material.
Objectives of the Study
This research study aims to determine the efficacy of Sea urchin (Arbacia lixula) in shells
in the production of bricks.
Specifically, this research seeks to answer the questions:
1.) Is Sea Urchin an effective material in creating bricks in terms of:
a) Durability
b) Water Absorbency
2.) Are Sea urchin shells effective in producing bricks?
Research Hypothesis
If Sea Urchin (Arbacia lixula) will be used as a potential brick, then houses that will use
the brick that was made with Sea Urchin then structures will be more durable and water
absorbent because the shell is constructed of many small plates made of a strong material
called calcium carbonate.
Significance of the Study
This study focuses on investigating the potential of Sea Urchin shells (Arbacia
lixula) as a alternative material for brick. This study will be able to contribute in the field
sustainable construction materials, as it will help people who lives in areas that are prone
to natural disasters like landslides, heavy rain, flash floods and Typhoons. The society
can benefit in this study by recycling Sea Urchin (Arbacia lixula) waste such as shells as
an alternative material for bricks, as it is feasible to do and does not require a lot of
materials as it is mainly shells.
Scope and Delimitation
This study focuses on investigating the potential of Sea Urchin shells (Arbacia lixula) as
an alternative material for brick. Its independent variable is Sea Urchin Shells (Arbacia
lixula), while its dependent variable is the durability of the brick. The materials can be
found in beaches and to a local wet market. This research study will be conducted near
the STE building in Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School, Governor Ramos Ave,
Sta Maria, Zamboanga City within the period of 2 weeks, including the drying of the
brick and the testing of the material. The research component will be using the specific
Sea Urchin called Black Longspine Sea Urchin. The research component will be using
compression strength test for this study.

Definition of Terms
Brick - Brick denotes a unit primarily composed of clay, mixed with sand and lime,
concrete, and fly ash.
Durability - Durability is the ability of a material, structure, or product that is able to
exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or value
Water Absorbency - Water absorbency is a measure of the amount of water absorbed in
a natural or gradual way.
Calcium carbonate - Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the chemical
formula CaCO₃. It is a common substance found in rocks as the minerals calcite and
aragonite and enhances durability.
References
“Sea urchin protein provides insights into self-assembly of skeletal structures.” (2017,
June 7). https://phys.org/news/2017-06-sea-urchin-protein-insights-self-assembly.html?
fbclid=IwAR0VXvoI-RUAw2iyHpKbQ_J4o3a05TmUEWpa0qCnN-4XfPCeBZ1ZK0dO_aI
“8 Harmful Ingredients In Brick Earth”
(2022, November 25) https://dreamcivil.com/harmful-ingredients-in-brick-earth/?
fbclid=IwAR2xqFht3UQV5n9xx4wGMZXCwOLEdYid_BsIC3hjTsIODU40Ogzc4FVEzec
Drozdov, Sharmankina, Zemnukhova, Polyakova ( November, 2016)

“Chemical composition of spines and tests of sea urchins”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313412679_Chemical_composition_of_spines_
and_tests_of_sea_urchins
“How does the addition of calcium carbonate based component from sea urchin spines
affect the properties of concrete?” n.d., https://typeset.io/questions/how-does-the-
addition-of-calcium-carbonate-based-component-3elxxfxue0?
fbclid=IwAR2139EGQqfJwjLzXVvhI2QmDUQn7VH2i1VtvuChpg3jEydvrKsh-
GRDNPk
Edokpayi (November 23, 2021) “Impacts of Brick Making on Environment”
https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/15646

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Republic of the Philippines

Region IX, Zamboanga Peninsula

“SEA URCHIN (Arbacia lixula) SHELLS AS AN ALTERNATIVE “MATERIAL

ELYSSA MAE E. TUBALLA

Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School

ALDRIAN DHEEN M. MAGNAYE

Background of the study

consumption during actual manufacturing process and the depletion of non-renewable

Sea urchin, are composed of primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and it

Zn, and Rb (Drozdov et al., 2016).

opportunities in exploring environmental-friendly material.

Objectives of the Study

in the production of bricks.

Specifically, this research seeks to answer the questions:

1.) Is Sea Urchin an effective material in creating bricks in terms of:

2.) Are Sea urchin shells effective in producing bricks?

called calcium carbonate.

Significance of the Study

materials as it is mainly shells.

Scope and Delimitation

compression strength test for this study.

concrete, and fly ash.

Durability - Durability is the ability of a material, structure, or product that is able to

exist for a long time without significant deterioration in quality or value

Water Absorbency - Water absorbency is a measure of the amount of water absorbed in

a natural or gradual way.

Calcium carbonate - Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the chemical

aragonite and enhances durability.

June 7). https://phys.org/news/2017-06-sea-urchin-protein-insights-self-assembly.html?

“8 Harmful Ingredients In Brick Earth”

(2022, November 25) https://dreamcivil.com/harmful-ingredients-in-brick-earth/?

Drozdov, Sharmankina, Zemnukhova, Polyakova ( November, 2016)

Edokpayi (November 23, 2021) “Impacts of Brick Making on Environment”

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