51 results for group: conference-proceedings

Potential for atmospheric carbon dioxide removal in mafic quarries via enhanced rock weathering of basalt fines

ABSTRACT Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a recognized carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy that uses crushed silicate rock (e.g., basalt) to capture atmospheric CO2, offering co-benefits such as improved soil health and increased crop production [1]. One of the main disadvantages of ERW includes the production of energy needed to crush and transport rocks to their application site [2]. Basalt quarries might be capable of removing CO2 on-site by optimizing the management of their quarry fines. This approach would reduce transport-related emissions while repurposing valuable and previously underutilized material. To test this possibility, ...

Rock dust, crop nutrition and climate change

Soils are the interface between the geosphere and the biosphere. They provide the minerals required for crop nutrition, and they regulate atmospheric CO2 to a greater extent than the ocean. These functions are often treated separately, with studies focusing on either crop nutrition or on soil organic carbon. The use of silicate rocks as remineralizers addresses both functions. Weathering releases nutrients, including silica, for crop growth, and consumes atmospheric CO2, generating bicarbonate in solution. If enough Ca is released, and with sufficient bicarbonate in solution, pedogenic calcite forms as a permanent sink for atmospheric CO2. ...

OVERVIEW OF FERTILIZERS IN BRAZIL: A JUSTIFICATION FOR STONEMEAL

The fertilizers production chain encompasses the different raw materials (phosphate rock, sulfur, potassium, and natural gas) needed to form the intermediate products (MAP, DAP, SSP, SST, etc.) which are combined to create NPK fertilizer. Due to its huge geodiversity, Brazil has significant phosphate deposits, but the same is not true in terms of its potassium, sulfur, and nitrogen (the latter two coming mainly from the petroleum and natural gas chain) deposits. This has led the country to rely on the expensive importation of these raw materials, which might jeopardize the competitiveness of Brazilian agribusiness. Through data on reserves, producti...

USE OF BLENDS OF SILICATE AGROMINERALS AS A K SOURCE FOR SOYBEAN CROPS

This study aimed to test the efficiency of blends of silicate agrominerals as K sources for soybean crops. The experiment was conducted in the surroundings of Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina – DF (TN: city in the Midwest, Brazil), in two field areas with similar climate conditions and different soil types: a medium texture soil and a clay soil. The experiment was carried out in 6 random blocks, with the following treatments: syenite and biotite schist (silicate rocks), and potassium chloride (conventional fertilizer), in doses of 0 kg, 60 kg, 120 kg, 240 kg, and 480 kg of K2O ha-1. The soil was prepared and the treatments on each plot were manually ...

STONEMEAL IN THE SOUTH OF MARANHÃO AND PIAUÍ STATES

According to forecast analysis based on strategic planning tools, the current model of agriculture practiced in the southern plains of Maranhão and Piauí states (Brazil) is unsustainable in the medium and long terms. Elaborated geological surveys in this region are pointing to large deposits of rocks and agrominerals, which can facilitate the practice of stonemeal. This could contribute to the conservation of soils and water resources. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295099176_Anais_do_II_Congresso_Brasileiro_de_Rochagem_coletanea_de_varios_autores

EFFECTS OF STONEMEAL WITH ORGANIC FERTILIZATION ON TROPICAL SOILS

This paper presents partial results of research whose main goal is to investigate the potential of using rock dust for soil remineralization. Five types of rocks were evaluated (kamafugite, carbonate-bearing mica schist, hydrothermal metamorphic rock, fresh basalt and weathered basalt) with, or without, the addition of organic compost (bovine manure). Experimentation took place near the city of Planaltina, in the Federal District area of Brasilia, Brazil. Testing occurred over a two-year period on five agricultural crops (corn, beans, garlic, carrots and okra), on a minimum of two harvests, using crop rotation. Preliminary results show that different ...

Performance evaluation of phonolite through mineral form and enrichment of filter cake in sugarcane ratoon

In order to evaluate the performance of phonolite as a source of potassium in fertilization management of sugarcane ratoon through mineral and organo-mineral forms, an experiment was installed in November of 2011 in Casa Branca, SP, Brazil, in soil type red-yellow Latosol Dystrophic medium texture, with variety SP 801816, in third yield, harvested mechanically with no fire. The experiment was designed using random blocks with four replications. The treatments were: T1-Control; T2- Mineral Phonolite 8.5% dose 70 kg ha-1 of K2O; T3- Mineral Phonolite 8.5% dose 100 kg ha-1 of K2O; T4- Mineral Phonolite 8.5% dose 130 kg ha-1 of K2O; T5- Mineral Phonolite ...

ACTION OF MICROORGANISMS IN BASALT POWDER

Stonemeal is the application of crushed rocks in the soil. The objective of this work was to observe the action of microorganisms (inoculated and native) on the mineralization of basalt rock dust and to measure the elements released into the soil. This assessment was done by comparing decomposing particles of basalt powder applied to humic A horizon of a soil derived from granite. The basalt powder was collected at Cavinatto quarry, situated in Limeira-SP (Brazil). The experiment is being conducted in vitro, in isolated plastic containers with the following treatments: 1) soil; 2) sterilized soil; 3) soil without sterilization and with addition of ...

Remineralization of agricultural soils using residues from the amethyst and agate extracting industry, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Brazil is the world’s fourth largest consumer of fertilizers, which is only behind consumers such as China, India and the USA. Therefore, it is crucial to coordinate the production and consumption of this type of product, through appropriate policies, industrial and technological development of mineral exploration and beneficiation of mining activity in the country. With this in mind, it becomes essential to assess the viability of using alternative sources of nutrients, as well as using the waste from mining and extracting industries of precious gems, as remineralizers. Thus, it is possible to reach improvements in soil fertility by transforming ...

A holistic approach to mitigating pathogenic effects on trees

The conventional ‘disease model’ approach to tree health focuses on identifying and controlling a specific pathogen (or pest) implicated as the causal agent of tree decline. Alternatively there are more holistic approaches in tree health that address a broader suite of processes occurring at the ecosystem level which may be predisposing the trees to infection by disease. Here I describe a holistic methodology that takes into account not only the proximal agents involved in tree decline, but also the age and structure of the forest, the abundance of cryptogams, the fire history, the acidity of the precipitation, the fertility of the soil, and the ...