Abstract
The aim of this research is to evaluate the properties and benefits of using an organo-zeolitic fertilizer (biofertilizer) for the production of food crops and the vegetation of contaminated land. Apart from the ever increasing cost of chemical fertilizers their use over the last seventy or more years have had a deleterious effect on soil health. In contrast the bio-fertilizer, composed of organic waste and crushed zeolitic rock, containing Clinoptilolite and commonly Mordenite zeolite, functions biologically in sponsoring nitrification. Ammonium ions, provided from the degradation of the organic waste, are adsorbed to the zeolite mineral surface thus avoiding loss to the atmosphere by volatilization. Oxidation of the ammonium ions, by soil nitrifying micro-organisms, provides major and trace element nutrients. Analysis of pore water, from substrates amended with the bio-fertilizer, has shown that its electrical conductivity is orders of magnitude higher than that of pore water from un-treated substrates. This is reflected in the high ionic concentration of cations present, which covers a wide range of elements, providing essential major and beneficial trace-elements in the ionic state that are directly available for plant uptake. Further work has shown that without the organic component the degree of plant growth is greatly reduced and the converse applies in that the application of the organic waste without the crushed zeolitic rock again reduces plant growth. Many countries in the world have extensive deposits of zeolitic sediment, containing a high abundance of zeolite minerals, and the organic component, being animal or plant waste, is generally availability.
Highlights
Zeolites are silicate minerals that have an unusual crystal structure
From substrates amended with the bio-fertilizer, has shown that its electrical conductivity is orders of magnitude higher than that of pore water from un-treated substrates
Enhanced growth due use of the bio-fertilizer has been shown to depend on the bio-fertilizer providing an adequate supply of major, minor and beneficial trace elements
Summary
Zeolites are silicate minerals that have an unusual crystal structure. The structure contains open channels/pores in which cations and water molecules are captured and often loosely bound to the oxygen atoms that compose the channel walls [1,2]. Natural zeolites have two modes of formation: large crystals, often measured in centimeters, found precipitated from hydrothermal fluids that percolate through cavities (vugs) in the tops of lava flows. The fine particles drift away from the volcanic eruption centers and on falling into water are altered to crystalline minerals of which zeolites are commonly in high abundance; often reaching 80-90% of the rock. On uplift these sediments are often found as thick deposits that can be mined by open-cast procedures and it is this material that is used as the zeolitic component of the bio-fertilizer
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