English
српски-
Zeolites have a very wide application in industry, agriculture and environmental protection, thanks primarily to the useful properties of:
-
high degree of hydration
-
large cavities in volume when dehydrated
-
stability of the crystal structure when dehydrated
-
property of cation exchange
-
absorption of odors, gases, vapors and substances of heavy metals and nuclear waste from polluted environments
-
-
Natural zeolites, thanks to their extraordinary sorption properties, have a very wide application. Namely, they are used in agricultural plant production (co-fertilizers, amelioration of acid soils, improvement of water-physical properties of soils, storage of seeds, fruits and vegetables), animal husbandry (feed additive, floor spreading), practically in all industries (cosmetics industry, beer and wine industry), as well as in everyday life (removal of unpleasant odors, filtration of drinking water)
Application of natural zeolites in agriculture
-
In agriculture, natural zeolites are used in vegetables and field crops:
-
to increase the fertility of the land
-
increasing the yield of agricultural crops
-
reduction of costs for the production of agricultural products
-
as a mineral and organomineral substrate that serves as a supplement for growing vegetables
-
in the composition of fertilizers by obtaining an increase in their effectiveness and duration of action as carriers and activators of the action of herbicides
-
growth stimulants, etc.
-
-
The application of natural zeolites in vegetables and arable farming is based on a complex of useful properties – absorption and sorption, cation exchangeable, catalytic, etc.
Their effect on land and vegetables is diverse, which predetermines many areas of use.
Vegetables, fruit growing substrates
-
The effect of rocks containing clinoptilolite is multifaceted and affects the characteristics of the soil, as well as the growth, development and productivity of plants, as well as the quality of production.
-
Zeolites act on the soil as ameliorants.
-
Under the influence of zeolite, the physical and mechanical properties of the soil improve water and air permeability, the ability to absorb and retain water in the soil increases. Zeolite in higher doses reduces the acidity of the soil, increases the ability to retain nutrients and eliminates their leaching in a timely manner.
-
The impact of plant zeolites is mainly reflected through the soil, plant nutrition is improved, the root system is developed, growth and fertility are intensified, yield is increased and costs per unit of product are reduced. Zeolite improves seed germination and reduces plant diseases. In the optimal variants, under the influence of zeolite, an increase in the levels of the genus of various cultures is observed. Cereals – wheat increases yield by 6-15%, sometimes up to 20%, barley by 5-15%, rice increases yield by up to 23%.
-
When zeolite rocks are introduced into the soil, the yield of green mass of oats, alfalfa, millet and corn increases by 20-26%. In some cases, an increase in dry matter content is observed.
-
A positive effect under the influence of zeolite was registered in potatoes, increase in yield by 12%, carrots up to 63%, blue tomatoes by 19-55%, radishes up to 20%. A positive effect was observed in the storage and maintenance of potatoes.
-
An increase in yield, and in some cases the quality of fruits, was found in lemons, mandarins and oranges, apples by 13% and pears by up to 55%.
-
The greatest positive influence of zeolites on the development and yield of agricultural crops is shown in hot beds (greenhouses), where they are used as mineral substrates.
-
Zeolite contains the necessary elements for plant development:
-
magnesium
-
potassium
-
calcium
-
-
Therefore, as well as the prolonging effect on the fertilizer, the necessary doses of mineral fertilizers are reduced, the necessity of frequent top-dressings in the process of plant vegetation is eliminated, and the pollution of the environment with nitrogen and phosphorus compounds is reduced. Zeolite reduces the acidity of the soil, improves air permeability and absorption capacity of the substrate, increases the illumination of plants, there is no overheating of the substrate.
-
Zeolite substrates do not coagulate, they are sterile in relation to various diseases, they have no weed seeds. The composition of zeolite substrates is easily regulated: their physicochemical properties change little during exploitation, which allows them to be used 2-3 times longer than organic substrates, which over time undergo irreversible physicochemical changes. Zeolite substrates are easily regenerated. And it is possible to apply chemical and temperature methods of their sterilization, which are not applicable to warm organic soils.
-
The reclamation effects of zeolites are expressed in several directions:
-
physical and mechanical properties are improved, which is especially important for heavy clay soils. Under the action of zeolite in clay soils, iron hydroxides bind, clay aggregates enlarge, increase porosity, air and water permeability. Bark formation is reduced when humidity fluctuates in dry conditions
-
zeolite tuffs increase the adsorption capacity of light, sandy, soddy barren and dry forest soils about 10 times
-
the zeolite water content in clinoptilolite makes up about 13% by weight. The total wet volume due to the secondary porosity of the zeolite increases the ability to retain water in the soil and heated substrates. Adsorbed zeolite waters including secondary porosity form an important reserve of moisture in the soil, it does not evaporate and does not move to lower horizons of the soil profile, which is especially important for light sandy soils with reduced wet volume and during the dry period. Water in the secondary pores of zeolite does not freeze when the temperature drops to – 20 degrees (Celsius), which increases the resistance of plants to frost.
-
Application in industry
-
It has been shown that zeolites can be used as regulators of consumption of flotation reagents, which are used in the processing of polymetallic ores, where mordenite is used. They can also be used in the food industry to improve the quality of food products and gas. In the production of technical gases is used for drying them.
In the consumer goods industry, zeolites can be used as drying and packaging agents for chemicals, medicines, food products, etc.
Other application
-
Clinoptilolite can be used as an additive to toothpastes. Phillipsite can be used in hemodialysis. Certain areas of application can also be found in medicine, for the treatment of viruses and vaccines and for other purposes.
-
Fungal diseases are still a big puzzle not only in medicine but also in the treatment of plants and animals. Science is intensively trying to find an effective cure for their suppression, but so far it has not succeeded. That is why all predictions are that this century will be marked by a great battle with mycotoxins. Maybe these spaces hide the right cure for all kinds of fungal diseases.
-
Today, zeolite is mostly used in poultry farming, pig farming, agriculture, at least when it comes to domestic areas. For example, the introduction of zeolite in the poultry diet increased production by 20% and achieved a high quality of meat and eggs.
-
The explanation for the “magic” formula of zeolite lies in its binding of mycotoxins which are known to produce toxins produced by various molds. Some of the mycotoxins have been found to be carcinogenic such as aflatoxins.
-
It has even been found that plants and animals infected with various fungal diseases and used in human nutrition cause hormonal disorders, especially in women.
-
Research has shown that zeolite successfully replaces destructive nitrogen fertilizers. It not only improves the soil, but also prevents the penetration of dangerous substances into watercourses. Experiments in agriculture have shown that zeolite achieves far higher yields and much better quality products.
-
Deodorants
-
In apartments and work rooms, zeolites are used for deodorization of sanitary facilities, kitchens, places where dogs and cats live, when storing clothes.
-
At the same time, the deodorant function reduces the humidity in the refrigerators and freezers, and they are thus protected from icing.
-
Material for packaging, storage of vegetables, fruits and food products
-
Two basic ways of applying zeolite in the storage of vegetables, fruits and food products are proposed.
-
The first – filling, dusting vegetables and fruits with zeolites or adding them in permeable packaging.
-
Another way is to introduce zeolites as fillers for packaging and packaging, films of polyethylene and other polymers, paper, cardboard for packaging, etc.
-
Zeolites in the storage of vegetables, fruits and various products regulate the atmosphere, reduce humidity, to some extent alleviate temperature fluctuations, adsorb and inactivate enzymes and other materials separated from bacteria, which accelerate the processes of putrefaction and decomposition, and thus protect food from spoilage. Zeolites can be saturated against bacteriological and other materials, which are capable of preserving products and their quality.
-
A number of inventions have been proposed in which natural zeolites are used to store vegetables, fruits, flowers, tea and other spoilage food products.
-
To preserve the quality in Japan, packages of well-permeable fabric with zeolite were inserted into the confetti baskets, which guaranteed the freshness and quality of the confetti for longer storage.
-
Special tests were performed to determine the efficiency of natural zeolites in the storage of vegetables and fruits. In unfavorable conditions – humidity 100%, proximity to groundwater, which comes to the level where the warehouse is located, through 8 months the degree of damage to potatoes, treated with zeolites (fractions up to 1mm) was 2-3 times less than untreated, preservation where the experiment was performed it had 60-80%, and where no experiment was performed 5-11%.