GOLDEN APPLE SNAIL (POMACEA CANALUCULATA) AS AN

ADDITIVE IN MAKING BRICKS

ENRILE VOCATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL

ENRILE, CAGAYAN
SY. 2023-2024

A Quantitative (Experimental) Research submitted to Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Strand in Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for Practical Research 2.

Mrs. Susan A. Garbiles

Research Adviser

Researchers:

Micah Alessandra Caranguian

Humphrey Decena
Jhon Michael Valencia
April Joy Acorda
Monaliza Quendangan
Dianne Dionisio
Evilyn De Guzman
 Chapter I

THE STUDY AND IT’S BACKGROUND

A. Problem and it’s Background

Bricks have been used extensively in building and construction for thousands of
years due to their exceptional qualities, which include high strength, low cost, and
longevity. The earliest bricks made by humans date to 10,000 BCE and were made
by hand, then sun-dried in Egypt. Records regarding the use of fire to create clay
bricks with improved performance date back to 5,000 BCE. Since then, the brick
industry has grown and changed, with the help of contemporary machinery in
particular (Zhang et al., 2018).

In the industrialized world, bricks are produced by machines and burnt in highly
automated tunnel kilns that rely on electricity and a trained labor force. Every year,
375,000,000 tonnes of coal are used in brick kilns worldwide. It is vital for the
economy, society, and environment to use fuel-efficient, economical kiln technology
that generates high-quality brick (Habla, 2023).

Asia produces 1,300 billion of the 1,500 billion bricks produced annually worldwide
due to the fast-accelerating brick industry. With an annual estimate of 37.2 million
dollars, China is the world's largest exporter of bricks. With 250–300 billion bricks
produced annually, the most of which are handmade, India is the second-largest
brick producer in the world. The most common method of forming brick in
underdeveloped nations is the labor-intensive process of hand molding clay into
bricks (Habla 2023).

In addition, the golden apple snail (Pomacea Canaliculata) is regarded as one of

the "World's Worst Invasive Species" and is a nuisance that rice growers fear the
most. It is hard to control and can destroy natural streams and rice harvests. An
infestation of giant snails has the potential to destroy an entire rice crop because they
can consume anywhere from seven to twenty-four rice seedlings a day (Plant Health
Australia, 2023).

One of the main concerns of this study is identifying viable solutions for the golden
apple snail infestation, which is growing. In addition, golden apple snail is added to
high-quality bricks used in the building sector, which helps to reduce the amount of
clay needed and stop its depletion. We might be able to lower the number of
contaminated rice harvests and possibly even save money on brick manufacture by
employing this golden apple snail in the brick-making process.

In this regard, the researchers will utilize golden apple snail (Pomacea
Canaliculata) and explore its efficacy as an additive in making bricks.

B. Statement of the Problem

The study generally aims to determine the efficacy of Golden Apple Snail
(Pomacea Canaliculata) as an additive in making bricks.

Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following:

1. What is the compressive strength of the Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea
Canaliculata) as an additive in making bricks?
2. What is the water absorption percentage of the brick in addition of Golden Apple
Snail (Pomacea Canaliculata)
3.Is there a significant difference in terms of percentage of water absorption and the
compressive strength of the brick with additional Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea
Canaliculata)?

Hypothesis
Ho: There is no significant difference in the compressive strength and percentage of
water absorption of the brick with additional Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea
Canaliculata).

C. Significance of the Study

The result of this study will be beneficial to the following:

Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture may find value in this

research as it could offer a sustainable way to manage the Golden Apple Snail
population, which is often considered a pest in rice fields and aquaculture.
Additionally, if the snail additive proves beneficial, it might open up a new revenue
stream for local farmers.
DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). The DPWH can benefit from
this research by potentially using the snail additive to enhance the strength or
insulation properties of bricks used in construction, leading to more durable and
energy-efficient infrastructure.

Teachers. Teachers can use this research as an educational tool to teach students
about innovative and sustainable agricultural practices and the importance of
interdisciplinary research.

Farmers. Farmers can benefit from this research by potentially selling their Golden
Apple Snail harvest to brick manufacturers as a supplementary income source,
thereby reducing the snail population in their fields and minimizing crop damage.

Future Researchers. This research could serve as a foundation for future studies,
inspiring researchers to explore alternative materials and additives in construction
and agriculture, potentially leading to more sustainable and cost-effective practices.

D. Scope and Delimitation

The scope of the study is to determine the efficacy of Golden Apple Snail
(Pomacea Canaliculata) as an additive in making bricks. This will be a thorough
study and analysis of the compressive strength and the percentage of water
absorption of the brick.

The study is limited to the use of Golden Apple Snail as an additive in making
bricks to be conducted at Enrile, Cagayan. The process of mixing the required
ingredients and the collected sample will be held at Maddarulug Sur, Enrile,
Cagayan. The study will be conducted starting October to January 2023.
 Chapter ll

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Golden Apple Snail

The freshwater snail known as the golden apple snail (GAS) is a member of
the Pomacea (Lamarck) family and is considered a pest in agriculture and quarantine
worldwide (Liu et al., 2021). Freshwater snail shells are discarded as waste and are
considered biological materials (Parveen et al., 2022). Some golden apple snails
escaped into the rice fields through the sewerage and multiplied quickly (Rusli et al.,
2023).
GAS's great flexibility, which allows it to survive in a variety of environments,
is the primary reason why they are challenging to control. Not to mention, the fact
that GAS can survive in arid environments and have a high reproductive capacity—
roughly 8700 eggs per reproductive season—are additional factors contributing to
their abundance in rice fields (Rusli et al., 2023).

Invasive Golden Apple Snail (GAS) Life Cycle

The invasive GAS life cycle is the first sign of a golden apple snail, as they
have ravenous appetites and are especially prone to grazing on water cultivated
crops like taro and rice. A huge adult snail may devour a blade of rice in 3-5 minutes,
and the GAS can damage quickly, leaving rasp-like wounds on host plants (Hollis,
2022). Due to the lengthy sexual interactions that can last up to 10–20 hours and the
5-hour egg storage period, copulation and spawning of the GAS are lengthy
processes. Due to the decreased risk of predators, egg storage is typically done at
night. Within the lab, GAS varied from 1326 to 10,869 eggs per female snail,
dispersed throughout 8 to 57 egg batches. For long to 140 days, female snails can
hold onto their sperm and release up to 3000 eggs throughout this time (Pratama et
al., 2023).
Additionally, despite a number of regulations governing the golden apple
snail's movement, the pest's global distribution has been expanding in recent years.
The concept of using GAS's immune system as a weapon to regulate its spread was
explored in Montanari's (2020) study. Studies using morphology, ultrastructural
analysis, and flow cytometry all came to the same conclusion: circulating hemocytes
are the immune cells component of GAS.
 Crop Damage
The second indication of the golden apple snail is crop damage. Golden apple
snails were one of the principal pests that took over agricultural cultivation and
resulted in a large bloom. They had suffered financial damage as a result of their
attack, which had destroyed many crops. To control the GAS infestation, chemical
synthetic molluscicides have been used; however, they are harmful to humans, non-
targeted animals, and the environment (Azmi et.al., 2022).

According to a study by Nguyan (2022), golden apple snails have a

detrimental effect on agricultural output and have invaded and damaged a significant
amount of agricultural land in Asia. The global increase in GAS cases in tropical and
subtropical nations, Southern Europe, and the United States of America has affected
rice agriculture. Although using pesticides is a common practice, their high chemical
content raises concerns about potential harm to the environment, ecology, and public
health (Nguyan et al., 2022).

Potential Economic Impacts

The possible economic effects are the final golden apple snail indicator. The
golden apple snail is a common and invasive plant that affects human health,
threatens biodiversity, and causes large financial losses in wetland rice farming
worldwide (Djeddour et al., 2021). Djamilla (2020) found that this snail species is
causing damage to rice crops in Mwea, Kenya's most significant irrigation scheme.
This represents a new introduction to continental Africa and highlights the need for a
prompt and coordinated response to contain and mitigate the risk to neighboring
countries and other rice schemes.

In addition, there are indirect economic effects from paying for pesticides and
hiring workers to physically remove the snail, as well as environmental risks from
using chemical control options in these systems improperly or excessively (Winks,
2021). Furthermore, it is claimed that the potential for harm to an invading wetland
agricultural system should not be undervalued, with estimates of the yearly global
agricultural economic losses ranging from US $55 to US $248 billion. The predicted
economic losses linked to the Golden Apple Snail in the Philippines alone in 2021
ranged from US $860 million to US $2.39 billion.
 Bricks
A rectangular block of hard material used to create walls and dwellings is
called a brick, according to the Cambridge Dictionary. Brick is a term originally used
to describe a building unit formed of shaped clay, but it is now used to describe any
stone or clay-based building unit that is cemented with a cementitious motor during
construction. Bricks come in many thicknesses and dimensions, with the standard
dimensions being 8 inches long by 4 inches wide (Rodriguez, 2023).

One of the earliest building materials ever used was mud brick (Mason,
2022). It is a building material made of easily obtained materials including water,
clay, sand, and mud. The traditional construction techniques are often praised for
their ability to help regulate heat and for preserving culture, but the benefits of the
earthen materials used to address local climate and economic conditions are
vulnerable to earthquakes (Zafra et.al., 2023). It is often made in hot climates that do
not have an ample supply of stone or wood (Wollacot, 2023).

The first artificial materials created for building purposes were clay bricks,
which are made simply by combining clay and water (Fernandez, 2019). Clay bricks
are resistant, long-lasting, and easy to construct. The ideal clay composition for
making bricks typically consists of 20–30% alumina, 50–60% silica, 1–5% lime, and
Five to six percent iron oxide, with trace amounts of other carbonates and oxide
(Chitab, 2021). Building materials constructed of clay, such as tiles and bricks, are
strong, solid, and long-lasting; they have a lifespan of over a century and can
withstand weather, earthquakes, and fires, according to Kannan (2018).

Compressive Strength
Compressive strength refers to the maximum level of compressive stress at
which a material can break, either brittlely or ductilely (Corrosion Pedia, 2019).
According to Jamal (2017), the compressive strength test gauges the strength of
concrete in its hardened form and represents the maximum strength that may be
obtained under ideal circumstances. According to Mahajan (2019), the computation
of concrete's compressive strength involves dividing the load applied to the cube at
the site of failure by the cross section area of the cube (15 x 15 x 15 cm), where the
load was applied.
 In addition, clay bricks have three different classifications for their compressive
strength: first class, second class, and third class. The terms "well burned," "over
burned," and "under burned" refer to the different stages of the production process
(Murthi, 2020). First class bricks have a compressive strength of 105 kg/cm², second
class bricks have a compressive strength of 70 kg/cm², common building bricks have
a compressive strength of 35 kg/cm², and sun-dried bricks have a compressive
strength of 15–25 kg/cm² (Housing News Desk, 2023).

Water Absorption
The capacity of water to move into the pores in concrete is known as water
absorption. These pores are formed when the hydrating liquid water combines with
the active elements in the concrete cement through a capillary action. Water
absorption can be expressed as a percentage, where a rate of less than 3 percent is
considered very low and a rate of more than 15% is thought to be significant enough
to suggest a decline in the test specimen's compressive strength (Robertson, 2018).

Water absorption can lower the structural qualities of masonry constructions

by affecting the bricks' inherent quality and the strength of the link between the bricks
and mortar (Bakar et.all., 2017). A temperature of 27± 2⁰C should be maintained for
a full day in order to assess the water absorption of bricks (Rahangdale, 2022). The
bricks are weighed before being submerged in fresh water for a whole day as part of
the test. Next, the water absorption percentage is computed. The brick's quality
increases with decreasing water absorption. According to Wahid (2019), high-quality
brick absorbs no more than 20% of its own weight in water.

Correlation between measures

The golden apple snail, or Pomacea Canaliculata, is an amphibian that can
live for short periods of time in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. It has a unique
lung and grill adaption that it uses for reproduction (Solitude 2018). The golden apple
snail is said to contain calcium carbonate (CaCO3), according to Amnart (2018). The
calcium carbonate is stable at room temperature and cannot be dissolved in water.
When heated at a high temperature, it will combine to make calcium oxide. As a
result, as it breaks down, carbon dioxide will be released. This calcium carbonate
characteristic finds numerous applications in the production of numerous low-cost
materials (Soft School, 2019). These can be found in paint adhesives, sealants,
building supplies, chalkboard chalk, ceramic tiles, and iron ore purification.
 Because of its numerous applications and long history of usage as a building
material, calcium carbonate is significant to the construction industry (Colis, 2021).
These days, the construction industry uses calcium carbonate to fill the spaces
between cement grains, speed up the hydration process, and influence workability,
mechanical qualities, and durability through chemical reactions such as nucleation
and dilution.
Because calcite is reactive, it changes how lime, alumina, and sulfate are
distributed, which changes the mineralogy of hydrated cement pastes. While C-S-H
is unaltered over most of the composition range, calcite addition affects the
equilibrium between the AFm and AFt phases and the amount of free calcium
hydroxide. The space-filling ability of the paste is optimized when the calcite content
is adjusted to maximize the AFt content, according to calculations of the specific
volume of the solids as a function of calcite addition (Colis, 2021).

Synthesis
In accordance with the findings of Colis (2021), the golden apple snail
(Pomacea Canaliculata), which is well-known in the building industry for containing
calcium carbonate, can be utilized as an ingredient when creating bricks. In order to
make golden apple snail use more meaningful and practical in the modern era, new
techniques are required in light of scientific and technological advancements. The
way the Golden Apple Snail is used prevents it from reaching its full potential. In
order to explore the potential of Golden Apple Snail as an additive in brickmaking,
further research is required.
E. Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Golden Apple Snail Compressive Strength and

( Pomacea Canaliculata) Water Absorption of Bricks

Figure 1

As seen in Figure 1, the conceptual framework represents the independent and

dependent variable of the study. The independent variable is the golden apple snail
(Pomacea Canaliculata), on the other hand, the dependent variable is the
compressive strength and water absorption percentage of the brick. The researchers
will assess the effectiveness of adding the golden apple snail (Pomacea
Canaliculata) in making bricks.

Definition of Terms

Additive: A substance added to a product to the product to improve its quality,

performance, or characteristics.

Brick: A building material typically made of clay or concrete used for construction
purposes.

Compressive Strength: The ability of a material to withstand compressive forces

without breaking or deforming.

Golden Apple Snail: A freshwater snail species native to Southeast Asia, known for
its golden shell and considered a pest in some regions particularly in rice fields.

Water Absorption: The capacity of a material to soak up or absorb water that can
affect the durability, strength, and performance of the material.
 CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A. Research Design

In this study, the researchers will employ a quantitative approach, specifically,

a true experimental design to have a detailed analysis of the compressive strength,
and water absorption of bricks when golden apple snail shell powder is added in
making bricks. The researchers will utilize this approach because they will gather
data about how the golden apple snail affects the compressive strength, and water
absorption of bricks. It will help them analyze the relationship between variables with
precision, make data analysis as objective, and draw specific conclusion regarding
the research hypothesis.

B. Sampling Procedures and Samples

The research will aim to involve a total of 300 grams of snail powder for the
study, specifically focusing on golden apple snails within Enrile Vocational High
School. The researchers will use the pest-to-pest matching technique to ensure that
the selected snails are representative of the population and have similar
characteristics.
The materials needed for making bricks would be water, fine sand, cement
powder, and golden apple snail shell powder.

C. Research Instrument
In conducting research on using golden apple snail (Pomacea Canaliculata)
as an additive in making bricks, it would need a set of materials. In compressive
strength test, this test is performed utilizing a compression testing machine. In water
absorption test of bricks, It will make use of oven, and weight balance.
After gathering all the materials needed to produce the bricks, the bricks are
ready to be test in Department of Public Works and Highways.

D. Data Gathering Method

The researchers will prepare 300grams of golden apple snail shell powder,
300grams of cement, 1100grams of fine sand, and 300ml of water. The produced
bricks will be subjected to different tests: compressive strength test and water
absorption test.
 According to Dream Civil (2021), the compression strength of the brick is the
ratio of maximum load at the failure to the cross-sectional area of the brick.
Mathematically, (Co= P/A), where Co is the compressive strength of the bricks, P is
the maximum load at failure, and A is the cross-sectional area of the brick.
According to Parikh (2019), the percentage of water absorption of brick by its
mass, after 24 hours immersion in cold water is calculated by {(M2-M1)/M1*100},
where M1 is the initial weight of the brick, while M2 is the final weight of the brick.

D. Data Analysis
To analyze the data gathered in testing of bricks, the researchers will make use of:

1. Mean- to get the average compressive strength, and average percentage

of water absorption of bricks.

2. One-way analysis of variance (One Way ANOVA)- this will be used to know
if there is a significant difference between the compressive strength and water
absorption of bricks.

CHAPTER VII

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

A. Presentation of Data

1. What is the compressive strength of the Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea

Canaliculata) as an additive in making bricks?

Table 1

Sample Cross- Maximum Compressive

Sectional Area Load at Failure Strength
(mm2) (N) (MPa)
1 4888 mm2 4.1 0.84 MPa
2 4320 mm2 5.25 1.22 MPa
3 4750 mm2 3.48 0.73 MPa
Mean = 0.93 MPa
 Table 1. shows that the mean of the compressive strength test of the Bricks
with the Golden Apple Snail as an additive is 0.93 MPa.

2. What is the water absorption percentage of the brick in addition of Golden Apple
Snail (Pomacea Canaliculata)?
Table 2

Sample Weight in Air Weight in Water

(M1) Submerge Absorption (%)
(M2)
1 1387.7 1507.5 8.6%
2 1478.2 1649.3 11.6%
3 1371.2 1517.2 10.6%
MEAN 10.3%

Table 2. shows that the mean of the Water Absorption Level of the bricks
with the Golden Apple Snail as an additive is 10.3%

3.Is there a significant difference in terms of percentage of water absorption and the
compressive strength of the brick with additional Golden Apple Snail (Pomacea
Canaliculata)?
Table 3

Test Mean P-Value Level of Decision

Significance
Compressive 0.93 0.000477 0.05 Reject Ho
Strength Test (Significant)
Water 10.3 0.000477 0.05 Reject Ho
Absorption (Significant)
Level Test

Table 3. shows the analysis of variance shows a computed p-value of

0.000477, which is less than the level of significance, 0.05. The researchers,
therefore, reject the null hypothesis and accept the alternative hypothesis, which
states that there is a significant difference in terms of the compressive strength and
water absorption level of bricks when Golden Apple Snail is added.
Interpretation of Data
The result of the experiment conducted with the used of Golden Apple Snail had
shown a potential to be effective as an additive in making bricks. The data recorded
during the experimentation were tabulated in Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3, as well
as the mean of each tests. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was conducted
to determine if there is a significant difference between the compressive strength and
water absorption level of the bricks. One-way analysis of variance revealed that there
is a significant difference between the compressive strength and water absorption
level of the bricks in addition of Golden Apple Snail. The result of the study conclude
that Golden Apple Snail is an effective additive in making bricks.

CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATION
A. Summary
The primary objective of this research was determined and examined the efficacy of
Golden Apple Snail as an additive in making bricks. The researchers implemented a
quantitative approach, specifically, a true experimental design. The bricks were
subjected to two different tests: compressive strength test and water absoption test.
The data gathering procedure presented a computed mean of the compressive
strength of 0.93, and water absorption level of 10.3. The one-way ANOVA test of
0.05 level of significance concluded that there is a significant difference between the
compressive strength and water absorption level of the bricks.
Analysis revealed that there is a significant difference in terms percentage of
water absorption and the compressive strength of the brick with additional Golden
Apple Snail. Therefore, Golden Apple Snail is an effective additive in making bricks.

B. Conclusions
The researchers conclude that the Golden Apple Snail is an effective additive in
making bricks. With this, Golden Apple Snail as an additive in bricks has the potential
to enhance the strength of the bricks, and can reduce the snail population that
causes crop damage. The researchers therefore conclude that Golden Apple Snail is
acceptable as an additive in making bricks. This is because Golden Apple Snail is the
number one problem of farmers that destroy their crops, also, Golden Apple Snail
contains Calcium Carbonate that is significant in the construction industry.
C. Recommendation
To improve the study more, here are the following recommendations that are
hereby advice:
1. The Department of Public Works and Highways ucan enhance infrastructure cost-
effectiveness by researching golden apple snail shell usage in construction,
promoting sustainability and innovation.
2. The Department of Agriculture can support farmers by providing training,
resources, and market access for sustainable golden apple snail shell utilization.
3. In every 300g of gas, 1100grams of sand, and 300grams of cement, it can make a
brick with a width of 3 inches,height of 4.5 inches,and length of 9 inches.
4. Instead of using so much cement which cost higher in every kilogram, crushed
golden apple snail can be its alternative or substitute.
5. By collecting Golden apple snail farmers can increase income by collecting golden
apple snail shells for brick production and exploring diverse market opportunities.

Appendices

After gathering the materials needed for the study, the researcher will start making
bricks in addition of golden apple snails.

Procedure:
1. Preparation: Clean the collected snail shells to remove any debris or organic
matter.
2. Drying: Allow the shells to dry completely in sunlight or using an oven at a low
temperature to remove moisture.
3. Crushing: Crush the dried shells into a fine powder using suitable equipment.
4. Brick-making Mixture: Prepare the regular brick-making mixture (cement powder,
fine sand, snail powder and water) as per the standard procedure.
5. Additive Inclusion: Introduce the crushed snail shell powder into the mixture
gradually, ensuring it's evenly distributed.
6. Mixing: Blend the entire mixture thoroughly to incorporate the snail shell powder
uniformly.
7. Brick Formation: Mold the mixture into brick shapes using molds or by hand,
depending on the desired size and shape.
8. Drying and Firing: Dry the formed bricks thoroughly.