A preliminary evaluation of volcanic rock powder for application in agriculture as soil a remineralizer

Abstract

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of volcanic rock residue, from a crushing plant in the Nova Prata Mining District, State of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, in this work named rock powder, were investigated in view of its potential application as soil ammendment in agriculture. Abaut 52,400 m(3) of mining waste is generated annually in the city of Nova Prata without a proper disposal. The nutrients potentially available to plants were evaluated through leaching laboratory tests. Nutrient leaching tests were performed in Milli-Q water; citric acid solution 1% and 2% (AC); and oxalic acid solution 1% and 5% (AO). The bulk and leachable contents of 57 elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Mining waste were made up by CaO, K2O, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, and P2O5. The analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the major occurence of quartz, anorthite, cristobalite, sanidine, and augite. The water leachable concentrations of all elements studied were lower than 1.0mg/kg, indicating their low solubility. Leaching tests in acidic media yield larger leachable fractions for all elements being studied are in the leachate of the AO 1%. These date usefulness of volcanic rock powder as potential natural fertilizer in agriculture in the mining district in Nova Prata, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers.

Quantification of inorganic arsenic exposure and cancer risk via consumption of vegetables in southern selected districts of Pakistan

“…The ADI and HI of As were calculated to evaluate the potential human health risk associated with vegetable consumption. Similar ananlyses were previously reported in other studies (Arenas-Lago et al, 2013; Cerqueira et al, 2011, 2012; Hower et al, 2013; Ramirez-Andreotta et al, 2013b; Ramos et al, 2015; Ribeiro et al, 2013b; Rodriguez-Iruretagiiena et al, 2015; Silva et al, 2011; Martinello et al, 2014). …”

Chemical attributes of a remineralized Oxisol

“…As expected from the literature (GILL, 2015), plagioclase was the most abundant (greatest peak in Figure 1) and among the most soluble minerals in the RM (RAMOS et al, 2015). The study by FARIA (2008) demonstrated that the crystal grains are richer in Na at their periphery …”

Potential and costs of carbon dioxide removal by enhanced weathering of rocks

“…In addition, basalts are on average rich in nutrients such as phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, whose application on cropland could lead to considerable additional benefits [3,[39][40][41]. These are particularly interesting in the case of tropical regions where cation and geo-nutrient depleted soils feature deficits considering optimal plant growth rates leading to recent efforts to assess rock product fertilizer alternatives [42], which could also improve soil hydrology. Furthermore, projected shortages in K supply (as potash) could shift the focus to alternative rock products [43].…”