WO2011060770A1

WO2011060770A1 - Mixture of volcanic and mineral raw materials, plant substrate, and soil layer

Info

Publication number: WO2011060770A1
Application number: PCT/DE2010/001354
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Ippach; Juergen Max Otto Petersen
Original assignee: Peter Ippach; Juergen Max Otto Petersen
Priority date: 2009-11-23
Filing date: 2010-11-23
Publication date: 2011-05-26
Also published as: DE102009056542A1; EP2483220A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mixture of volcanic and mineral raw materials that is used as a plant substrate or to produce a soil layer, wherein the volcanic and mineral raw materials are combined in such a way that the volcanic and mineral raw materials have a water storage capability that is suitable in particular for dry climatic zones, having a volume absorption of preferably over 50 vol% water, and at the same time have a sustained-release effect for dispensing mineral nutrients and optionally have a capillary effect (permeability) for the rising of water from lower layers to upper layers.

Description

MIXTURE OF VOLCANIC AND MINERAL

RAW MATERIALS, PLANT SUBSTRATE AND FLOOR LAYER

The present invention relates to a mixture of volcanic and mineral raw materials as well as a plant substrate consisting of the mixture and finally a soil layer of a corresponding plant substrate.

In particular, in arid (dry, arid) climates, the problem is that the mostly sandy soils are only partially or not at all suitable for plant cultivation. Low rainfall is a big problem. Even with artificial irrigation, the plant cultivation proves to be extremely difficult, because the water - as in heavy rains - too quickly seeps through the water-permeable sandy soil and can be absorbed by the plants only to a small extent. Therefore, planting in arid climates proves extremely difficult and is in many places almost impossible in the absence of sufficient amounts of water.

From practice, plant substrates are already known, which have an increased water storage capacity due to their consistency compared to the pure sand. However, the resulting water storage capacity is not enough to provide the plants with sufficient water over long periods of time. In addition, the plant substrates known from practice have the disadvantages that they usually have a high salt content, which counteracts ideal plant growth. Furthermore, from the prior art plant substrates made of plastics are known, which have a certain water storage volume. Related materials are expensive to manufacture and ecologically questionable. In addition, they change their consistency and their water storage capacity in the course of their use, so that their use for plant cultivation is unsatisfactory.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a mixture for use as a plant substrate or for producing a soil layer as well as a plant substrate and a soil layer, which / is suitable for arid climates, namely there to be able to make a plant. With the help of the mixture of the invention, the plant of a basic vegetation should be possible. Agriculture should be encouraged.

CONFIRMATION COPY The above object is achieved with respect to a suitable mixture by the features of claim 1. The plant substrate according to the invention consists of a mixture according to the invention. Accordingly, the soil layer according to the invention is produced from the plant substrate. The mixture according to the invention consists of volcanic and mineral raw materials and serves as a plant substrate or for the production of a soil layer for plant cultivation, in particular for use in arid climates. It is particularly well suited for use in areas of water scarcity, especially when irrigated water trickles into the ground very quickly.

In accordance with the invention, the volcanic and mineral raw materials have been combined in such a way that they have a water storage capacity suitable for dry climates in particular with a volume uptake of more than 50% by volume of water. The mixture is generated or combined in such a way that it simultaneously has a depot effect for delivering mineral nutrients, so that a suitably produced planting soil not only promotes irrigation, but also releases nutrients for the plants at the same time. With the mixture according to the invention, an ideal soil for the cultivation of plants can be created, on the one hand to create a basic vegetation and on the other hand in the context of agricultural activities.

The mixture of volcanic and mineral raw materials according to the invention results in a lower water consumption per unit time compared to the existing soils in arid climates. This feature reduces the amount of water needed in these regions, primarily through desalination plants. Around 5% of the world population live in such regions, but only 3% of the natural water resources are located. This ratio will continue to deteriorate over the next few years. The production of drinking and utility water is associated with enormous effort and thus with enormous costs. The mixture according to the invention is intended to contribute to considerably reducing the previously mentioned costs, and indeed in the long term.

In concrete terms, lava, pumice, tuff and selbergite are provided as volcanic raw materials. In detail the following: The lava used in the invention is a cooled magma, which was ejected from the vent in a volcanic eruption and came in different clusters sizes as fallout on the ground for deposition.

Lava loads ejected during a magmatic eruption are characterized by considerable porosity. This was created by releasing and expanding igneous gas during the eruption. Bubble cavities are formed.

The bladder cavities are open-pore on the surface of the lava loads. In the interior of the lava loads, bubble cavities of different sizes are connected to the surface of the cladding or inhomogeneously distributed / enclosed as closed bubble cavities in the lava loads.

Lava loads that were ejected in a hyaloclastic or phreatomagmatic eruption are enveloped by the smallest fragments of the basement, older tephra and xenoliths.

The lava loads usable according to the invention are lapilli and ashes (clump size <64 mm in diameter) with a basaltic and / or basanitic chemical composition. The edge-rounded lapilli show the finest ash deposits on the surface. Many bladder cavities in the lapilli and in the interstitial cavities between the lapilli are marginally cemented with palagonite.

Due to the open porosity of lava loads a considerable water storage capacity is given. The chemical composition and the zeolites provide the plant world with natural nutrients. The edge-rounded surface of the open-pored lapilli allows the vegetation a suitable rooting space.

Selbergite, commonly referred to as phonolite, is a volcanic rock. Magma has risen to near-surface areas, but has not erupted and cooled. There were magma-filled bodies forming today as phono- Lithkegel shape the landscape. The phonolite has a high content of alkalis (potassium and sodium oxide).

As a potash fertilizer, the phonolite can be used in fertilizer production. The plant availability of potash in the soil, however, is given only after about 3-5 years. However, potash is available to plants as a nutrient for years to come.

The pumice usable in the present invention has a phonolitic chemical composition. The pumice comes from a silicon-rich magma (+/- 55 wt.%), Which erupted in Plinian eruptions. The pumice was deposited like the lava as fallout. Due to the high proportion of gas bound in the magma, which was released during the eruption, the magma has been fragmented into different sized pumice clasts. The pumice clusters have open-pored and closed bubble cavities. The porosity in the pumice clasts can be over 80% by volume.

Due to its porosity, the pumice achieves a high air pore volume and thus a high water storage capacity. The pumice preferred according to the invention has a high content of plant-available potassium.

Tuff arises from the posteruptive deposits of pyroclastic flows. These form, e.g. at the collapse of a Plinian eruption column. The pumice clasts contained in the high-energy and up to 600 ° Celsius pyroclastic flows are destroyed and deposited as the smallest pumice fragments (dust). Posteruptive have formed over thousands of years of secondary minerals on the open-pored surface and between the ash particles during ongoing low-temperature diagenesis in contact with water. The newly formed minerals are called zeolites and cement the pumice fragments and the rocks transported in the pyroclastic flows into a tufa.

The potassium-containing tuff usable in the present invention has a phonolitic chemical composition and has about 15 mass% of zeolites. The tuff has a high maximum water capacity with a simultaneously very favorable air pore volume and a water permeability which can be classified as sufficiently good. The carbonate and salt concentration is very low in the tuff. The mineral raw materials are natural zeolites and clay. In addition the following:

Zeolites are generally zeolith-containing rocks. The term "zeolite" denotes a widespread group of crystalline silicates, in particular hydrous alkali metal or alkaline earth metal aluminosilicates. The zeolites which can be used here are predominantly analcime, phillipsite and chabazite.

The zeolites generally have a loose and three-dimensional network of Si0 ₄ and / or Al0 ₄ tetrahedra having a system of channels and cavities of characteristic dimension. The special lattice structure reaches a surface up to approx. 400m ² / g. As a result, the zeolite has the potential for high water storage capacity. Zeolites can also absorb significant amounts of condensed water vapor (Tau).

Negative excess charges of the zeolite network are compensated by cations such as sodium, potassium and calcium. The ions can be exchanged for other ions in contact with solutions (e.g., NaCl). Furthermore, the cavities of the crystal structure are filled with water under natural conditions.

Preferably, tuff is used with potassium-containing zeolite tuff. In the matrix of the tuff, phillipsite and chabazite form as a transitional phase with respect to analcime and potassium feldspar. In addition to potassium feldspar Philipsit preferably contains potassium ions, ie Phillipsit is kaliumnormativ with high levels of K ₂ O. This has the advantage that such a zeolite exchanges potassium for corresponding counterions available to the plant. Adsorption capacity is also referred to as cation exchange capacity. This describes the ability of a material to reversibly store positively charged ions on its surfaces. The zeolite thus provides an important storage function for nutrients. The zeolite-containing tuff has a high cation exchange capacity of 440 (mmol / Z / l) compared with lava, pumice and clay at 100 (mmol / Z / l).

This zeolite contained in the tuffs is in its soil chemical and physical properties value determining the vegetation technical characteristics of the mineral mixture. The zeolite-containing tuff replaces the otherwise in natural soils Clay minerals or organic matter-bound nutrient and buffering capacity that require additional treatment with fertilizer.

The zeolites used advantageously have the following utility in the mineral mixture. The zeolites allow a high water storage capacity. Zeolites thus optimize the water supply to the soil and reduce water consumption. Zeolites absorb condensed water vapor (dew) and release it to the plants. Zeolites reduce the use of fertilizer as the need for nitrogen is reduced.

Natural zeolite (with the mineralogical term clinoptilolite) is advantageously used in the mineral mixture in order to increase the zeolite content to> 20% by volume.

Long-term tests have shown that the physical and chemical properties of natural zeolites even meet the requirements placed on a filter material for drinking water. The duration of use in water treatment is several years (up to 10 years). To regenerate the natural zeolite, sodium chloride (NaCl conc. <5%) can be used inter alia. When using sodium chloride, an increasingly progressive, i. unlimited regeneration of the natural zeolite done. Especially in arid climates, both the groundwater and the topsoil have an increased salt concentration, which is available to the natural zeolite.

Clay defines, on the one hand, fine-grained minerals and, on the other hand, phyllosilicates. These have a crystal structure of silicon and oxygen, as well as hydrogen, magnesium and aluminum. Clay minerals consist of two characteristic elemental structures, the tetrahedral layer and the octahedral layer. After arranging these layers, the clay minerals are distinguished in two-layer, three-layer and four-layer clay minerals. Clay minerals are predominantly fine-grained (<2 m in diameter). A layered silicate larger than 2 m (in diameter) is e.g. Kaolinite.

The multi-layered clay minerals have the property of swelling. You can temporarily and reversibly absorb water in their interlayers. Volume- Minerals have a large mineral surface to which substances can be adsorbed and desorbed (see Zeolites). The surface has a moderate cation exchange capacity. The water permeability is low in the clay minerals.

The clay used advantageously has a mineral content of IIIite, smectite, kaolinite and quartz. This clay mineral population promotes the ability of water and nutrient adsorption in the mineral mixture.

The mixture of the above-mentioned and explained in terms of their properties of raw materials, taking into account the project-oriented use based on the total volume as follows vary:

5 to 40 vol% lava,

5 to 40% by volume of pumice,

25 to 85 vol% tuff,

2 to 20 vol% selbergite,

10 to 30% by volume of Naturzeolithe and

2 to 20% by volume of clay, in particular the mixture may vary as follows:

10 to 25 vol% lava,

15 to 25 vol% pumice,

50 to 70 vol% tuff,

6 to 15% by volume selbergite,

15 to 25% by volume of Naturzeolithe and

5 to 10% by volume of clay.

In the mixture, another volcanic raw material called phonolite may be mixed. The project-oriented use of phonolite on the total volume is 2 to 15 percent by volume. In particular, the phonolite in the mixture can be varied between 5 and 10 percent by volume. The grain size spectrum of the phonolite varies depending on the project-oriented use between 0.06 mm and 4 mm in diameter. The phonolite counteracts in the mixture with progressive dehydration of the mixture primarily an adhesion, in particular of the tuff particles. Thus, a subsequent water absorption in the context of a natural or artificial irrigation, for example due to a water-permeable mixture surface, guaranteed. The phonolite also counteracts so-called crusting on the mixture surface, caused by extremely progressive drying at high temperatures, depending on particle morphology and physical properties.

The use of the phonolite improves the air balance of the mixture and, because of its high content of available minerals, can increase soil fertility.

The particle size spectrum of the raw materials combined according to the invention is project-oriented and designed in such a way that the individual constituents are compiled or contained in the overall mixture without mixing damage. This ensures that the mixture "lives through" a continuous cycle of water uptake and dehydration with constant physical and chemical properties .The components of the mixture are in granular form and can be used from a very fine powder structure up to a grain size of about 10 mm For example, a grain size of up to 6 mm has proven to be particularly useful with Selbergit As already mentioned above, the actually selected and combined particle sizes depend on the project-oriented use of the mixture.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if further - secondary - components are added to the mixture, namely so-called secondary raw materials. These may be siliceous sands or silites. The addition of megamorphic rock and limestone and dolomite rock may be beneficial. It is also conceivable to add organic material in certain quantities. In principle, the secondary raw materials can be added in a coordinated volume fraction without changing the physical properties of the previously discussed mineral mixture in the use properties according to the invention. Above all, it is conceivable that, if the properties of the mixture are sufficiently good, constituents which are added either in the sense of a binder or as Fill material between a more or less coarse-grained granules serve. Any modifications are conceivable.

With regard to the plant substrate and the soil layer produced therefrom, it should be noted that the mixture can serve as an admixture to poor soils, namely as a proportionate admixture for upgrading the soils. Likewise, the mixture may be a plant substrate, from which the soil layer to be produced for planting is completely built up. Depending on the desired planting, different soil thicknesses or depths can be produced, for example in the range between 20 and 50 cm, preferably in the range of about 30 cm, in particular when agricultural cultivation is desired. Likewise, this can be a basic cultivation of the soil make.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and on the other hand to refer to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are explained. In the drawing show

Figure 1 shows a conventional soil, as it typically occurs in dry climates; and

Fig. 2 is a bottom having a bottom layer with an inventive

Planting substrate or a mixture according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a soil layer in dry climates, through which rainwater or water from an artificial irrigation runs directly, at least not stored in the soil layer containing the plants. Such a soil is not very suitable for planting, which makes it extremely difficult - in dry climates - to cultivate soils occurring there. Fig. 2 shows the effect of a bottom layer according to the invention, which is produced with a substrate according to the invention, namely from a mineral mixture according to the invention. Schematically, it is shown how the soil layer or the granulate forming the bottom layer stores well over 50% of the total volume of the mixture of water, so that a depot is created in relation to the water. The planting is further promoted by the fact that the soil layer thus produced has a depot effect for the release of mineral nutrients, so that with the mixture according to the invention both a water reservoir and a nutrient depot is created.

Another important feature of the mixture according to the invention is the fact that, in contrast to most soils in the above-mentioned fields of application, the mixture or a soil layer constructed therefrom has a capillary water rise (permeability). This means that if the near-surface water is consumed by the plants and / or by the solar radiation, stored water from the lower layers of the mixture can ascend into the near-surface layers and thereby be available to the plants. The capillary effect is thus of very particular importance, namely in addition to the basic water storage property and the mineral nutrients depot effect.

The mixture of volcanic and mineral raw materials according to the invention can thus be used in an ideal manner as a plant substrate and thus for the production of a soil layer, especially in arid climates.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the mixture according to the invention, reference is made to avoid repetition to the general part of the specification and to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be expressly understood that the embodiment described above is only for the purpose of discussion of the claimed teaching, but does not limit the embodiment.

Claims

1. A mixture of volcanic and mineral raw materials serves as a plant substrate or for producing a soil layer, the volcanic and mineral raw materials are combined so that they have a suitable especially for dry climates water storage capacity with a volume of preferably more than 50 vol% water and simultaneously Have a depot effect for the release of mineral nutrients and possibly a capillary action (permeability) for water from lower layers to upper layers.

2. Mixture according to claim 1, characterized in that as volcanic raw materials lava, pumice tuff and selbergite are provided.

3. Mixture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that are provided as mineral raw materials natural zeolites and clay.

4. Mixture according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that

5 to 40 vol% lava,

5 to 40% by volume of pumice,

25 to 85 vol% tuff,

2 to 20 vol% selbergite,

10 to 30% by volume of Naturzeolithe and

2 to 20% by volume of clay

are provided.

5. Mixture according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that

10 to 25 vol% lava,

15 to 25 vol% pumice,

50 to 70 vol% tuff,

6 to 15% by volume selbergite,

15 to 25% by volume of Naturzeolithe and

5 to 10% by volume of clay

are provided.

6. Mixture according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that 2 to 15% by volume, preferably 5 to 10% by volume of phonolite

are provided.

7. Mixture according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the grain size spectrum of the individual components is assembled entmischungssicher.

8. Mixture according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the constituents are present as granules in different particle size fractions up to a diameter of 10 mm.

9. Mixture according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that further - secondary - components are added, namely

siliceous sands and / or silites and / or

metamorphic rocks and / or

Lime and dolomite rocks and / or organic material.

10. plant substrate, consisting of a mineral mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

1 1. soil layer of a plant substrate according to claim 10, characterized by a bottom thickness (depth in the true sense) of 20 to 50 cm, preferably of about 30 cm, wherein the bottom layer is made entirely from the plant substrate or contains the plant substrate as an admixture.