Pedological and geochemical characteristics of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in Samar, Philippines

Jertz Vlyn D. Escala; Ian A. Navarrete; Marvin D. Cascante; Victor Asio

doi:10.18393/ejss.2005188

Pedological and geochemical characteristics of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in Samar, Philippines

Abstract

Limited information is available on the pedology of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in the Philippines. This study evaluated red, highly weathered soils across the ophiolitic landscape of Eastern Samar. Five soil profiles were described and sampled for laboratory analysis. The geochemical composition of the parent materials ranged from mafic to ultramafic. The soils were acidic [pH(H₂O) = 4.97–6.45; pH(CaCl₂) = 3.95–5.96] and contained low concentrations of available P (trace–1.14 mg kg⁻¹), exchangeable K (trace–0.23 cmolc kg⁻¹), Ca (trace–12.66 cmolc kg⁻¹), and Na (trace), together with low Ca/Mg ratios (0.1–41.7). Profile 2 had comparatively high exchangeable Ca concentrations, particularly in deeper horizons. Ca/Mg ratios increased with depth in Profiles 2 and 3 but decreased in Profile 5. In Profiles 1 and 4, Ca/Mg ratios were very low and could not be calculated in several subsurface horizons because exchangeable Ca and/or Mg occurred at trace levels. Extractable Ni concentrations ranged from 0.16 to 22.40 mg kg⁻¹, with the highest concentration occurring in the Bo2 horizon of Profile 4, indicating contributions from ultramafic materials, Ni accumulation, and adsorption onto Fe (oxyhydr)oxides during weathering. The warm, humid climate, highly weatherable ophiolitic parent material, stable, well-drained topography, and original rainforest vegetation promoted the formation of highly weathered Ultisols and Oxisols. Low OM (0.36%–3.60%) and total N (0.04%–0.25%) contents may reflect anthropogenic effects, particularly periodic burning associated with shifting cultivation. The CIA (55.56–99.31), CIW (55.63–99.58), MWPI (0.14–7.44), and Vogt ratio (1.08–63.95) indicated advanced weathering and substantial losses of major cations. These findings demonstrate that ophiolitic soils under humid tropical conditions undergo intense weathering and leaching, resulting in marked profile-scale variation during pedogenic development.

Keywords

Thanks

The first author gratefully acknowledges scholarship support from the Department of Science and Technology–Science Education Institute (DOST–SEI) through the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program–National Science Consortium (ASTHRDP–NSC). The authors also thank the reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions, which improved the manuscript.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Jertz Vlyn D. Escala ^* This is me
0009-0004-3292-1389
Thailand

Ian A. Navarrete This is me
0000-0001-6701-9951
Philippines

Marvin D. Cascante This is me
0009-0002-8321-572X
Taiwan

Victor Asio
0000-0003-3569-3997
Philippines

Publication Date

October 5, 2026

Submission Date

March 17, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.2005188

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA36JK95EX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Escala, J. V. D., Navarrete, I. A., Cascante, M. D., & Asio, V. (2026). Pedological and geochemical characteristics of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in Samar, Philippines. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(4), 553-567. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.2005188

AMA

1.Escala JVD, Navarrete IA, Cascante MD, Asio V. Pedological and geochemical characteristics of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in Samar, Philippines. EJSS. 2026;15(4):553-567. doi:10.18393/ejss.2005188

Chicago

Escala, Jertz Vlyn D., Ian A. Navarrete, Marvin D. Cascante, and Victor Asio. 2026. “Pedological and Geochemical Characteristics of Highly Weathered Soils Derived from Ophiolitic Rocks in Samar, Philippines”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (4): 553-67. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.2005188.

EndNote

Escala JVD, Navarrete IA, Cascante MD, Asio V (October 1, 2026) Pedological and geochemical characteristics of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in Samar, Philippines. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 4 553–567.

IEEE

[1]J. V. D. Escala, I. A. Navarrete, M. D. Cascante, and V. Asio, “Pedological and geochemical characteristics of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in Samar, Philippines”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 553–567, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.2005188.

ISNAD

Escala, Jertz Vlyn D. - Navarrete, Ian A. - Cascante, Marvin D. - Asio, Victor. “Pedological and Geochemical Characteristics of Highly Weathered Soils Derived from Ophiolitic Rocks in Samar, Philippines”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/4 (October 1, 2026): 553-567. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.2005188.

JAMA

1.Escala JVD, Navarrete IA, Cascante MD, Asio V. Pedological and geochemical characteristics of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in Samar, Philippines. EJSS. 2026;15:553–567.

MLA

Escala, Jertz Vlyn D., et al. “Pedological and Geochemical Characteristics of Highly Weathered Soils Derived from Ophiolitic Rocks in Samar, Philippines”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 4, Oct. 2026, pp. 553-67, doi:10.18393/ejss.2005188.

Vancouver

1.Jertz Vlyn D. Escala, Ian A. Navarrete, Marvin D. Cascante, Victor Asio. Pedological and geochemical characteristics of highly weathered soils derived from ophiolitic rocks in Samar, Philippines. EJSS. 2026 Oct. 1;15(4):553-67. doi:10.18393/ejss.2005188