Small Amounts Of Potassium Research Articles

Extracting very small amounts of potassium from iron meteorites for the analysis of potassium isotope ratios

The isotope abundance of cosmogenic K, especially the ratios of cosmogenic 40K/41K, can be used to determine reliable cosmic-ray exposure (CRE) ages for iron meteorites. Despite this potential, there are only very few studies and essentially no new data since the pioneering work by H. Voshage more than 40 years ago. This shortfall is likely due to the immense analytical difficulties encountered when extracting cosmogenic K from iron meteorites with typical concentrations in the range of a few ppb or below. Chemical extraction procedures are very challenging, resulting in large blank contributions that must be subtracted, and do have low yields preventing an efficient separation of K from the Fe matrix. The K extracted from iron meteorites is dominated by native K (non-cosmogenic K from the sample), includes K from terrestrial contamination, and only a tiny amount is of cosmogenic origin. In order to separate K from iron meteorites a physical extraction technique was developed that involves extraction of K from molten iron meteorites. In this set-up, terrestrial and native K can be partly separated from cosmogenic K by sophisticated pre-heating and extraction techniques. Sample K is ion-optically collected on a rhenium filament. The filaments are then used as evaporation filaments in a double filament set-up of a Triton Plus Thermal-Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS). Though, cosmogenic K is detectable in all samples, the measured isotope ratios are always close to terrestrial, indicating that the majority of the measured 39K and 41K is from K with almost terrestrial isotope composition. The measured 40K signal is dominantly of cosmogenic origin. The K background is either native K from the sample or terrestrial contamination. The measurements are compromised by unstable signals, i.e., by large fluctuations of the ion currents and/or large variations in the isotope ratios during the course of a single run, sometimes even with fractionation reversals. Such difficulties are likely due to the fact that the K ions are implanted into the filament rather than deposited onto the surface. In addition, parts of the filaments are covered with condensed iron, also affecting the signal stability. Despite these analytical challenges, clear cosmogenic signals were detected in almost all studied iron meteorites and cosmogenic 40K/41K ratios could be determined. However, the data quality is not yet sufficient for precise K isotope studies and for calculating reliable 40K/41K CRE ages for iron meteorites.

Study of the influence on potassium chloride enrichment technology in potassium ore

Due to the fact that the rich reserves of potash minerals are decreasing in the world, scientific research is being carried out on the development of effective technologies for beneficiation of minerals containing a small amount of potassium. In this regard, to study the mineralogical composition of low-grade potassium ores of the Tyubetagan mine, to conduct theoretical analysis of the galurgic method of beneficiation and to carry out research in laboratory conditions, to study the influence of various technological parameters on product output and to find optimal conditions, to develop a technological scheme of beneficiation of low-grade sylvinite ores by the galurgic method special attention is paid to the output. In this study, the mineralogical composition of potash ores of Tubegatan mine was studied and methods of beneficiation were proposed according to the relationship between the content of KCl, NaCl, insoluble residue and particle size of potash ores.

Spectroscopic Characterization of Mitochondrial G-Quadruplexes.

Guanine quadruplexes (G4s) are highly polymorphic four-stranded structures formed within guanine-rich DNA and RNA sequences that play a crucial role in biological processes. The recent discovery of the first G4 structures within mitochondrial DNA has led to a small revolution in the field. In particular, the G-rich conserved sequence block II (CSB II) can form different types of G4s that are thought to play a crucial role in replication. In this study, we decipher the most relevant G4 structures that can be formed within CSB II: RNA G4 at the RNA transcript, DNA G4 within the non-transcribed strand and DNA:RNA hybrid between the RNA transcript and the non-transcribed strand. We show that the more abundant, but unexplored, G6AG7 (37%) and G6AG8 (35%) sequences in CSB II yield more stable G4s than the less profuse G5AG7 sequence. Moreover, the existence of a guanine located 1 bp upstream promotes G4 formation. In all cases, parallel G4s are formed, but their topology changes from a less ordered to a highly ordered G4 when adding small amounts of potassium or sodium cations. Circular dichroism was used due to discriminate different conformations and topologies of nucleic acids and was complemented with gel electrophoresis and fluorescence spectroscopy studies.

Solid-phase reduction of Cr2O3 under chemical catalytic conditions

The kinetics of the solid-phase reduction of Cr2O3 with carbon under chemical catalytic action on the reacting system is studied. A significant intensification of the process in the presence of small amounts of potassium and sodium salts is established. The concepts of the catalyst action mechanism are considered and experimentally substantiated. Manufacture of iron–chromium master alloys with a restricted content of carbon can be organized at low temperatures, and they can be used in steelmaking.

Effective Way to Control the Performance of a Ceria-Based DeNOx Catalyst with Improved Alkali Resistance: Acid–Base Adjusting

Compared with V2O5–WO3/TiO2, the ceria catalyst supported on sulfated zirconia (referred to as CeSZ) shows a superior alkali resistance for selective catalytic reduction of NO in flue gases. It reveals an unexpected result that a moderate amount of potassium (normally considered as SCR poisons) could even enhance the activity of CeSZ catalyst. To investigate this exceptional phenomenon, we studied the surface acid–base properties of CeSZ catalysts with different amounts of K and their influences on SCR performances. Although K resulted in a sharp decrease in Bronsted acid sites, the total acidity, especially strong acidity, barely changed when K/Ce was less than 0.4. It was proposed that a small amount of potassium could initially alter some Bronsted acid sites to Lewis ones, therefore retaining the majority of total acidity. Moreover, increased surface basicity due to K depositing led to an enhancement in NO chemisorption and oxidation, which is beneficial to the SCR process via the reaction of NO2 and N...

Metallization of a magnetite concentrate by gas reduction in the fluidized state using a chemical catalytic action

The possibility of almost complete metallization of a deep-enrichment magnetite concentrate by its reduction in the fluidized state with hydrogen at low temperatures using chemical catalytic actions is established. The mechanism of the intensifying action of catalysts is considered. Small amounts of potassium and sodium salts are used as the catalysts.

Impact of potassium content on the structure of molybdenum nanophases in alumina supported catalysts and their performance in carbon monoxide hydrogenation

The paper focuses on the effect of potassium content on the structure of alumina supported molybdenum sulphide catalysts and their performance in carbon monoxide hydrogenation at the conditions favouring olefin production. Molybdenum oxide is a major phase in the unpromoted calcined catalyst. The formation of mixed K–Mo, Mo–Al and K–Mo–Al oxides occurs in the calcined catalysts in the presence of relatively small amounts of potassium. The mixed potassium molybdenum oxides readily convert into mixed molybdenum sulphides after pre-treatment with H2S. The presence of potassium results in a signification increase in the concentration of basic sites in the sulphided catalyst, while their strength is not much affected by the promotion.The catalytic results suggest the presence of two types of sites associated to unpromoted molybdenum sulphide and K–Mo–S species. Higher olefin (and alcohol) production rates were observed on the mixed K–Mo sulphides, while carbon monoxide hydrogenation on upromoted molybdenum sulphide leads to methane. Molybdenum oxysulphide seems not to be relevant to olefin synthesis.

Influence of Acid-Base Properties of K-Loaded Aluminophosphate Catalysts on Their Catalytic Behavior in the O-Methylation of Catechol

Kloaded aluminophosphates prepared by impregnation were characterized by Xray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, N2 adsorption, and NH3 as well as CO2 temperatureprogramed desorption (NH3-TPD, CO2-TPD). The results show that potassium was highly dispersed on the surface of the aluminophosphates. The amount of surface acidic and basic sites decreased upon adding a small amount of potassium. With an increase in potassium, the amount of surface acid sites decreased and the amount of surface base sites did not obviously change. Vapor-phase O-methylation of catechol with methanol was carried out to investigate the catalytic performance of the Kloaded aluminophosphates. Selectivity toward guaiacol obviously increased when a small amount of potassium was added. With an increase in the potassium content, selectivity toward guaiacol increased further and the conversion of catechol decreased. Combined with the characterization results, the surface weak acidic sites play an important role in improving the conversion of catechol and the surface weak basic sites are suitable for improving selectivity toward guaiacol.

Effect of potassium addition on bimetallic PtSn supported θ-Al2O3 catalyst for n-butane dehydrogenation to olefins

PtSn/θ–Al2O3 catalysts with different amount of potassium (0.4, 0.7, 0.95, 1.2 and 1.45wt.%) were prepared by an impregnation method, and their catalytic activity in n-butane dehydrogenation was investigated at 823K, an atmospheric pressure and a GHSV of 18,000mL(gcath)−1. The compositions listed in order of n-C4= yields at 823K were as follows: K0.95(PtSn)1.5>(PtSn)1.5>K0.4(PtSn)1.5>K0.7(PtSn)1.5>K1.2(PtSn)1.5>K1.45(PtSn)1.5>K0.9(Pt)1.5. The K0.9(Pt)1.5 and K0.95(Sn)1.5 catalyst severely deactivated in n-butane dehydrogenation. The (PtSn)1.5 (without K) catalyst showed the highest n-butane conversion, while K0.95(PtSn)1.5 did the highest n-C4= yield. The small amount of potassium on bimetallic PtSn/θ-Al2O3 catalyst improved n-C4= selectivity, but slightly decreased n-butane conversion, resulting in the increase of n-C4= yield. The effect of potassium was caused by blocking the acid sites of Pt catalyst. The TPR and HAADF STEM-EDS study suggested the reduction procedure of the Pt, Sn and K species. However, the higher loaded potassium (1.2 and 1.45wt.%) doped (PtSn)1.5 catalysts were rather highly deactivated because the sizes of Pt particles were increased by weakening the interaction between Pt and Sn. The n-C4= selectivity of the (PtSn)1.5 catalyst increased with respect to the reaction, while that of the potassium doped catalysts maintained the high n-C4= selectivity from the beginning of the reaction. Also, different alkali metals (Ca, Na and Li) were tested for the comparison with K. The potassium doped catalyst showed the highest n-C4= yield among the other alkali metals for n-butane dehydrogenation.

Leaching of base cations as affected by a forty-year use of mineral fertilisation

crop rotation experiment was established in Central Lithuania (Skėmiai, Radviliskis region) in 1971 (lysimeters were installed in 1976) on a sandy loamy Endocalcari-Endohypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-n-w-can). The effect of regular fertilisation with different rates and combinations of NPK fertilisers in a crop rotation (winter wheat → sugar beet → spring barley → spring rape → annual grasses and perennial grasses) on the concentrations of cations (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + and Na + ) in lysimeter water, sampled at 40 and 80 cm depths during winter and summer periods, was investigated. During the period 1976-2011, leaching of calcium was the most intensive one, followed by that of magnesium; leaching of sodium and potassium was significantly less. As a result of application of the N 111 P 96 K 96 fertilisation rates the sum of average concentrations of the base cations Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + and K + in lysimeter water at 40 cm depth was 179.58 mg l -1 in winter and 218.99 mg l -1 in summer (calcium - 145 and 180 mg l -1 , magnesium - 29 and 33 mg l -1 , sodium - 3.92 and 4.20 mg l -1 , potassium - 1.66 and 1.79 mg l -1 , respectively). Average fertilisation rates (N 111 P 96 K 96 ) increased the concentration of Ca 2+ in lysimeter water by 1.4 times in winter and by 1.5 times in summer, while high rates (N 222 P 192 K 192 ) - by 1.9 and 2.2 times, respectively. Mineral fertilisation resulted in 232-360 kg ha -1 Ca 2+ leached each year into the deeper layers of soil. Phosphorus fertilisation makes the calcium balance in the soil less negative, while nitrogen and potassium fertilisation encourages the process of calcium leaching. The extent of magnesium leaching from the soils treated with mineral fertilisers was within the range of 31-56 kg ha -1 Mg 2+ in winter and 17-30 kg ha -1 Mg 2+ in summer. Average and high fertilisation rates increase the level of magnesium leaching by 1.5 and 2.5 times, respectively. Small amounts of potassium were leached into the 40 cm depth of light loamy soil: in not fertilised plots 0.93 kg ha -1 K + in winter and 0.60 kg ha -1 K + in summer, in plots treated with N 111 P 96 K 96 and N 222 P 192 K 192 - 1.80 and 0.95, and 4.54 and 2.42 kg ha -1 K + , respectively. Low levels of potassium leaching had little effect on potassium balance in the soil. Sodium leaching level did not exceed 7.67 kg ha -1 Na + in winter and 3.39 kg ha -1 Na + in summer. Application of mineral fertilisers resulted in sodium leaching increase by 5.77 kg ha -1 Na + on an average; potassium fertilisation encouraged the process of sodium leaching. As a result of intensive fertilisation the concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions in lysimeter water sampled at 80 cm depth were slightly higher than in the lysimeter water at 40 cm depth, the concentration of potassium ions - lower, and the concentration of sodium ions - about the same.

사과농축액의 알코올발효 불량화 자료 설정

This study compared and analyzed the quality characteristics of five different apple juice concentrates (A~E) after alcoholic fermentation to establish test indicators for their defects. From our results, the titratable acidity was nearly similar in all diluted solutions. However, A and D showed a high pH of above 4.0 while B, C and E exhibited a low pH of below 3.0. In terms of free sugar content, maltose was undetected in A and D. In contrast, about 698 mg% maltose was found in C and more than 1,000 mg% maltose were detected in B and E. Malic acid, one of the main organic acids in apple, was measured at a high value of about 600 mg% in A and D and about 50 mg% in B, C and E. Potassium, one of the main minerals, was about 180 mg% in A and D, whereas a small amount of potassium, ranging between 6~9 mg% were present in B, C and E. Preservative (by sorbic acid) was not detected at all in all apple juice concentrates (A~E). When the above diluted apple concentrates were fermented, the alcohol contents were 11.2% and 10.8% in DAFB and AAFB, respectively. Alcoholic fermentation almost did not take place in BAFB, CAFB and EAFB. The use of maltose as the yeast may have influenced the fermentation. However, B, C and E were thought to be either defective or contaminated apple concentrates based on the analysis results of free sugar and organic acid.

Succinylcholine-induced Hyperkalemia and Beyond

The mechanism of succinylcholine-induced hyperkalemia was studied in three lesions affecting canine gastrocnemius muscle. Dogs were treated for 1 month before study: 10 with normal activity, 5 with unilateral sciatic nerve section, active on 3 legs, 5 with unilateral cast immobilization of a hind limb and pelvis, active on 3 legs, and 7 inactive with T6 section of the spinal cord. Succinylcholine responses were determined during thiopental―ha lothane (mean expired halothane 1.0 ± 0.2%) endotracheal anesthesia with arterial carbon dioxide tension of 38—42 mmHg, arterial oxygen tension of 100—120 mmHg, and muscle and body temperatures maintained at 37° ± 0.2°C. The investigators isolated and collected the venous drainage of gastrocnemius muscle and measured its total blood flow. Muscle potassium release and oxygen consumption were calculated as blood flow x (arterial content — venous content). Succinylcholine-induced gastrocnemius potassium release was greatest after both sciatic and cord section; oxygen consumption was increased in parallel. Disuse atrophy of one leg slightly increased both values but was insufficient to produce systemic hyperkalemia. Reuptake of potassium followed succinylcholine-induced release. Given before succinylcholine, modest doses of gallamine slightly modified the release of potassium, and total paralysis by gallamine blocked it.

Structure and dielectric response of Na1 − x K x NO2 nanocomposite solid solutions

This paper reports on the results of the investigation into the thermal evolution of the structure and dielectric properties of Na1 − xKxNO2 solid solutions (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10) embedded in porous glass with an average pore diameter of 70 ± 10 A in the range 300–447 K, i.e., in the ferro-and paraelectric phases. The structural properties of the bulk and nanostructured materials are compared. It is shown that the introduction of small amounts of potassium brings about a noticeable change in the intensity ratio of the elastic Bragg peaks, while leaving the space group characterizing the structure of these nanocomposites unaffected. An increase in the potassium fraction does not result in a substantial decrease in the phase transition point. Measurements of the dielectric response have revealed that an increase in the potassium content gives rise to a marked “hardening” of the lattice in the premelting state, which reduces dielectric losses.

Hydrothermal synthesis of perovskite-type BiFeO3

Single crystals of BiFeO3 were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis using hydrate sodium bismuth oxide (NaBiO3·nH2O) and iron nitrates (Fe(NO3)3·9H2O) in the potassium hydroxide solutions. The size of BiFeO3 single crystals increased with the reaction temperature and duration. Single crystals of sillenite-type Bi12.5Fe0.5O19.5 and Bi2Fe4O9 were also obtained depending on the conditions. From the chemical analysis, the chemical composition of the crystals was deduced to be Bi0.96K0.03FeO3. Although the crystals contained a small amount of potassium, the lattice parameters of the crystals agreed well with the pure BiFeO3 and the Curie temperature was not affected by this replacement.

Effect of the cationic composition of cryolite-alumina melts on the anodic overvoltage

Steady-state polarization of anodes prepared from platinum or glassy carbon is studied in a laboratory cell in a cryolite-alumina melt containing small amounts of potassium and lithium fluorides and various alumina amounts. The surface area of the anodes reaches a few centimeters squared. An insignificant depolarization of the anodic process is discovered following the replacement of a fraction of sodium ions in the electrolyte by potassium ions in an amount of ∼3.9 mol % KF (∼4.1 wt %) and a noticeable depolarization, following the substitution of K+ in an amount of ∼7.1 mol % KF (∼7.6 wt %). Substituting lithium ions in an amount of ∼3.7 mol % LiF (∼1.8 wt %) for a fraction of sodium ions leads to an insignificant polarization. A significant effect of a general cryolite ratio on polarization is discovered. A noticeable increase in the anodic polarization is fixed at an alumina concentration equal to 5–5.5 wt %.

Perovskite catalysts for the auto-reforming of sulfur containing fuels

The ideal fuel for PEMs and SOFC fuel cells is pure hydrogen, which is not available in nature and thus needs to be produced from other resources. It is a special task to make hydrogen from JP-8 (kerosene-based jet propulsion fuel), which consists of high hydrocarbon and aromatic compounds, as well as contains a significant amount of sulfur (up to 3000 ppm). The auto-thermal reforming (ATR) process is externally energy-intensive and cost-effective method for hydrogen generation. However, it is critical to develop highly efficient, low-cost catalyst. This paper presents a detailed description of a novel combustion approach for synthesis of complex LaFeO 3-based catalysts. The activities of these catalysts for ATR of JP-8 fuel were also tested in unique Micro-Scale Bench-Top Reactor System. Several non-noble (Me = K, Na, Li, Cs, Co, Mo) and noble metals additives (Me = Pt, Pd, Ru, Re) were tested as B-site substitution in La 0.6Ce 0.4Fe 0.8− Z Ni 0.2Me Z O 3− δ perovskite to find the compositions that possess stable and effective performance under severe sulfur containing environment. It was shown that small amounts of potassium (2 wt.%) or ruthenium (1 wt.%) doped to above perovskite structure significantly increase catalysts activity and lead to their stable performance during reforming of JP-8 fuel with up to 220 ppm of sulfur.

Catalytic properties of potassium-or lanthanum-promoted Co/γ-Al2O3 catalysts in carbon monoxide hydrogenation

The effects of potassium or lanthanum additives on the catalytic properties of alumina-supported cobalt catalysts were examined through carbon monoxide hydrogenation reaction. The catalysts were characterized by hydrogen or carbon monoxide chemisorption, oxygen titration, and temperature-programmed desorption. The reactions were carried out at 270 °C and atmospheric pressure. When a small amount of potassium was added to alumina-supported cobalt catalysts, the amount of hydrogen adsorption decreased more significantly than that of carbon monoxide adsorption, and the extent of reduction also decreased. With the addition of potassium, the overall carbon monoxide conversion decreased, while the selectivity to higher hydrocarbon and olefin increased. The effect of lanthanum on activity and selectivity in carbon monoxide hydrogenation was less significant than the effect of potassium. Temperature-programmed desorption showed that the presence of additives changed the adsorbed state of CO on cobalt.

Kinetics of catalyzed acid/acid and acid/aldehyde condensation reactions to non-symmetric ketones

The kinetics and mechanism of acid and aldehyde condensations to produce non-symmetric ketones with CeO 2-based catalysts were studied using a combination of conventional and pulse microreactor tests. The effects of oxygen and water on the reactions were also studied. Supported CeO 2 catalysts effectively catalyze the ketonization of acids at essentially complete conversion for extended periods, at weight hourly space velocities of 4–5. The optimal temperature range is 400–430 °C, depending on feed. Time on stream and number of regeneration cycles improved catalyst performance. Selectivities are improved by promotion with small amounts of potassium. The acid/acid reaction to a typical methylketone proceeds roughly three times faster than the acid/aldehyde reaction, while the aldehyde/aldehyde initial reaction rate to desired methylketones is much slower; multiple aldol condensations predominate. When using acid/aldehyde feeds, water enhances ketone production, probably by supplying oxygen to the catalyst surface. While O 2 can fulfill a similar role, it also promotes combustion. Substitution of D 2O and CD 3COOH for water and acetic acid, respectively, led to kinetic isotope effects between 1.4 and 6.7, which is in the expected range for carboxylate decompositions. Experiments at low conversion using CD 3COOH and either cyclopropanecarboxylic acid or its aldehyde showed that acetone and methylcyclopropylketone are formed preferentially as five D- and two D-atom isotopomers, respectively, for both acid/acid and acid/aldehyde feeds. This suggests the formation of a surface ketene intermediate, preferentially from acetic acid, which attacks a surface carboxylate to form the ketone, eliminating CO 2. The same conclusions could be drawn from 13 C distributions in experiments using labeled acetic acid.

Hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of κ-Na 2Si 2O 5 and Na 1.84K 0.16Si 2O 5

Single crystals of a new sodium disilicate modification labeled κ-Na 2Si 2O 5 have been prepared from the hydrothermal crystallization of a glass at 700 °C and 3 kbar. The structure has been solved and refined to a residual of R(| F|)=0.035 for 750 independent observed reflections. The compound is orthorhombic with space group Pn2 1 a ( a=8.128(1) Å, b=4.8322(8) Å, c=11.977(3) Å, V=470.4(3) Å 3, Z=4, D x =2.57 g/cm 3, μ( Mo K α)=0.87 mm −1) and belongs to the group of single layer silicates. Individual sheets can be described as being built by the condensation of zweier single chains of SiO 4-tetrahedra parallel to the b-axis or, alternatively, by condensation of vierer single chains parallel to the a-axis. The layers contain six-membered rings in UDUDUD conformation. The stacking of the layers parallel to the c-axis results in a three-dimensional structure in which the alkali cations reside on two crystallographically independent sites (M(1) and M(2)) between the layers for charge compensation. The geometrical and topological features of the single tetrahedral sheets in κ-Na 2Si 2O 5 are almost identical to those observed in β- and C-Na 2Si 2O 5. Differences between the structures can be attributed to different ways of stacking of adjacent sheets and are discussed in detail. Small amounts of potassium can be substituted for sodium without changing the structure type. At slightly different synthesis conditions (600 °C, 1 kbar) we obtained an isostructural mixed alkali disilicate with composition Na 1.84K 0.16Si 2O 5 ( a=8.172(2) Å, b=4.849(1) Å, c=12.078(3) Å, V=478.6(3) Å 3). The distribution of the alkali atoms among the two M(1) and M(2) positions shows a definite preference of the larger potassium for the M(1) site; the M(2) site is K-free.

Effects of wood, peat and coal ash fertilization on Scots pine foliar nutrient concentrations and growth on afforested former agricultural peat soils

The effects of ash and commercial fertilizers on the foliar nutrient concentrations and stand growth of Scots pine were studied in four field experiments established on former cultivated peat soils. The aims were to compare ash types (wood, peat and coal ash), study the effects of ash treatment (pelletization), compare ash fertilization with commercial fertilizers, and to study the interaction between ash fertilization and weed control. Foliar samples were collected 1–3 years and 7–8 years after fertilization. In the unfertilized plots, the foliar nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were fairly high, while those of potassium were low in all the experiments. The boron levels were low in three out of the four experiments. Application of either loose or pelletized wood ash, as well as of commercial fertilizers, increased foliar potassium and boron concentrations, and thus successfully remedied the existing nutrient imbalances and deficiencies. Since phosphorus deficiencies are rarely encountered on field afforestation sites, poor-quality wood ash with low phosphorus concentration could be used. Peat ash containing phosphorus, but only small amounts of potassium and boron, was not found to be very suitable for soil amelioration in connection with field afforestation. Coal ash, containing only small amounts of potassium, was a good source of boron for pine even when used in small amounts, and thus it can be used in cases where boron deficiencies alone are encountered. Wood ash significantly increased the height growth of Scots pines in two of the experiments, but peat ash and coal ash had no statistically significant effect. Wood ash increased the number of healthy seedlings. Vegetation control decreased seedling mortality by 24%, increased the growth of pine and decreased the proportion of trees damaged by elk and by deciduous trees.