Solar Ice Maker Chills with Heat and Zeolite

Seems counterintuitive, but solar energy can be harnessed to make ice cubes. An electricity-free alternative to refrigeration and air-conditioning, solar icemakers use the sun's heat during the day to drive a chemical reaction that separates a liquid refrigerant from a solid absorbent. The solid absorbent stays in the solar collector, while the liquid refrigerant is driven away and stored in a separate component called the evaporator. At night, the chemical reaction runs in reverse; the solid absorbent sucks the liquid refrigerant back into the collector. The movement happens through natural convection - without pumps, valves or any mechanical components. In the process, the liquid refrigerant evaporates and gets very cold. Any water touching the outside of the evaporator is frozen to ice, in an intermittent absorption refrigeration cycle. Basically, the two materials (absorbent and refrigerant) create a chemical reaction that becomes so cold that anything near the chemical reaction freezes - like water. To create ice continuously, the chemical reaction is produced over and over again by separating the two chemicals, using the heat of the sun, and then combining them again, at night. Once the icemaker is constructed, it has a zero carbon footprint. Greenhouse gases are not emitted during its operation nor are there any chemicals emitted that would deplete the ozone layer.

Many off grid applications exist for solar ice makers using the zeolite/water-vacuum process diagrammed here. A reservoir of water in an evacuated chamber is used to make the ice. This water reservoir is connected by a tube to another chamber containing Zeolite. Since this tube is also evacuated it contains water vapor. The chilling process is started by opening a valve so the water vapor flows to the Zeolite where it will be absorbed. As this happens, the Zeolite warms up, absorbing heat from the water reservoir as it does so. The reaction is sufficiently intense to cool the water in the reservoir enough so that it freezes. For each square meter of solar collecting area, these ice makers can generate over 10 lbs of ice. ©2012 Squidoo

Three Types of Solar Ice Makers 
Solar ice makers use one of 3 different methods: Zeolite/water - vacuum, CaCl /ammonia, or carbon/methanol. The zeolite/water under a vacuum is the easiest to implement since it doesn't include a hazardous chemical like methanol or ammonia. The carbon/methanol needs 1 square meter of collecting area to generate around 20 lbs of ice. While the ice is generated over night with these intermittent refrigeration cycles, you can cover the solar collector after a few hours to start the process.

How They Work
The plumbing of the ice maker can be divided into three parts: a generator for heating the salt-ammonia mixture, a condenser coil, and an evaporator, where the distilled ammonia collects during generation. Ammonia needs to flow back and forth between the generator and evaporator.These ice makers operate in a day/night cycle, generating distilled ammonia during the daytime and then re-absorbing it at night. The gas condenses in the condenser coil and drips down into the storage tank where, ideally, 3/4 of the absorbed ammonia collects by the end of the day. As the generator cools, the night cycle begins. The calcium chloride re-absorbs ammonia gas, pulling it back through the condenser coil as it evaporates out of the tank in the insulated box. The evaporation of the ammonia removes large quantities of heat from the collector tank and the water surrounding it. Water in bags around the tank turns to ice. In the morning the ice is removed and replaced with new water for the next cycle.

Self-Cooling Beer Kegs
An example of a Zeolite ice maker has been incorporated into the Self Cooling Beer Keg. The self-cooling keg contains three chambers. A reservoir of water in an evacuated chamber surrounds the inner chamber containing the beer. This water reservoir is connected by a tube to the outer chamber containing Zeolite. Since this tube is also evacuated it contains water vapor. By opening a valve the water vapor flows to the Zeolite where it will be absorbed. As this happens, the Zeolite warms up, absorbing heat from the water reservoir as it does so. The reaction is sufficiently intense to cool the water in the reservoir enough so that it freezes. After 30 minutes, a cold glass of beer can be tapped and the keg will keep a perfect drinking temperature for at least 12 hours. There aren't any commercially available models of these ice makers yet that aren't rather large and cost $1000 or more. The first viable product is the beer keg($35) but soon will we see other products. If you can chill 5 gallons for 8 hours with no power, they would be perfect for chilled drinks while camping or boondocking.

Source : http://www.solaripedia.com

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Natural Zeolite for Radiation Protection

Natural Zeolite for Radiation Protection

Toxic nuclear radiation is being spread all around our world due to many reactors malfunctioning or spilling their deadly load into the environment. Radiation can cause long-term damage leading to leukopenia, genetic damage and physical deformity. Food can become contaminated with radioactive isotopes, as well the water supply that irrigates crops and supplies drinking water.

Natural Zeolite, has some unique properties that make it a viable aid in ridding the body of radiation once exposed. Radiation detox cold be a primary use for this substance. The zeolite molecules, acting like a magnet with a negative charge, grab on to the radioactive particles which have a positive charge. This means that if you have ingested or absorbed radioactive particles, the zeolite can be ingested and potentially find and grab on to those particles and remove them safely through excretion.

Natural Zeolites are so powerful they are even used in toxic dump and nuclear waste cleanup. At the Hanford Nuclear Facility in Richland, Washington, radioactive strontium-90 and cesium-137 have been removed from radioactive waste solutions by passing them through tanks packed with the natural zeolite. After the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, zeolites were used to adsorb radioactive ions.

More than 500,000 tons of zeolite was dumped via helicopter at Chernobyl to absorb radioactive chemicals and other harmful toxins that were released during the disaster. In addition, cattle were fed zeolite to help keep radioactive ions out of milk, and zeolite was baked into cookies/biscuits to help minimize the contamination in humans. Sandbags of Zeolite were dropped into the seawater near the Fukushima nuclear plant to adsorb radioactive Cesium that was present there in high levels.

Source :http://www.zeolite-sale.com

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Siemens Innovative Zeolitic Drying System

An innovative zeolitic drying system from Siemens has won the Award for Climate Protection and the Environment in the category for product and service innovations in the field of climate protection. Equipped with this system, the Siemens speed Matic dishwasher is around 20% more efficient than appliances in the highest energy-efficiency category. Its minimal water consumption, 10 instead of 14 liters per cycle, also sets a new record. Engineers at BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte are the first to take this completely new technology to the mass-production stage as well. Although it is only featured in top-of-the-range models at present, there are already plans to introduce it successively in mid-range models.

Inside the dishwasher are special minerals that generate supplementary heat. This shortens the program at 50°C to just under two hours, which is around 30 minutes less than is needed by conventional dishwashers. As a result, the speedMatic is also the fastest dishwasher in the highest efficiency category. This supplementary heat is generated by zeolites – aluminosilicate minerals with a very large surface area and microporous structure. The dishwasher exploits the ability of such minerals to absorb up to 40% of their dry weight in water and, in the process, give off heat. By the same token, they release this water when heated.

During the drying cycle, warm, moist air is fed into a container under the dishwasher chamber, which contains 1.15 kilograms of small white zeolitic granules. These absorb the moisture and release hot, dry air, thus substantially shortening the drying cycle. In the next washing cycle, the granules are heated to remove the moisture, thereby regenerating them. The zeolithes stay in the dishwasher during its whole lifetime.

Thanks to its increased efficiency, the new dishwasher helps save energy and thus reduce CO2 emissions. If all dishwashers with an energy consumption of over 1.3 kWh per cycle were replaced by ultra-efficient appliances with zeolitic drying, the savings in Germany alone would amount to over 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 a year. That corresponds to the amount of C02 produced by approximately 600,000 passenger cars, each driving 15,000 kilometers a year.

Sources : http://design.kitchensatlanta.com

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Assessing Soil Acidity

By  Richard Fisher, E. M Hutton, Avilio A. Franco, Anthony Juo, Donald Kass, and Dale Evans

What Is an acid soil? 

Soil scientists use ranges of pH values to describe the acidity of soils. Soils in the pH range of 6.8 to 7.2 are considered neutral. Any soil with a pH of less than 6.8 is considered acidic, and any soil with a pH of more than 7.2 is considered alkaline. Soils with a pH of less than 35 or more than 10 rarely support plant growth Acid soils are described as "mildly acidic," "moderately acidic," and "strongly acidic" as pH values decrease. Mildly and moderately acid soils may not be detrimental to the growth of most plants.

Regions in the tropics in which soils are likely to be acid or low in bases such as calcium and magnesium.

Source: Caudle (1991).

The term "acid soil" is usually reserved for soils in which many types of plants have difficulty growing. This manual is concerned with these strongly acidic soils. They are characterized by a pH of less than 5.5 and one or more chemical problems that limit plant growth. Such problems may include (1) toxic levels of available aluminum, (2) toxic levels of available manganese, and (3) infertility due to insufficient levels of other elements important for plant growth, particularly calcium and phosphorus. Strongly acidic soil conditions limit the kinds of plants that can grow, the productivity of those plants, and the efficiency of fertilizers applied to increase plant productivity.

What is pH? 

The acidity of a soil is assessed in terms of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil solution - the moisture in the soil - as measured in units of pH. The soil solution contains chemical elements in dissolved ionic form. Many of these function as essential plant nutrients, taken up from the soil solution by the roots of plants.

The acidity of a soil results from the relative presence or absence of acidic ions, such as hydrogen (H+), in the soil solution. Soil acidity increases with the increased presence of these ions and decreases with the increased presence of basic ions such as calcium (Ca++) and magnesium (Mg++).

The acidity of a soil solution is expressed on the pH scale as the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration. Because the pH scale is mathematically logarithmic, a pH change of one unit represents a ten-fold change in the acidity or alkalinity of the solution being measured. Thus a soil with pH 5 is ten times more acidic than a soil with pH 6. A soil with pH 4 is ten times more acidic than one with pH 5 and 100 times more acidic than a soil with pH 6.

How do soils become acidic?

Soils become acidic through the normal leaching action of rainfall over long periods of time. As rainwater moves down through the soil, it absorbs carbon dioxide from the soil atmosphere and forms weak carbonic acid. It also acquires weak organic acids as it encounters soil organic matter. This acidic solution attracts basic ions, such as calcium (Ca++), magnesium (Mg++), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+), detaches them from the soil exchange complex, and leaches them from the rooting zone. As these basic ions are leached, they are replaced by acidic ions of hydrogen (H+) and aluminum (Al+++). Over long geologic periods, soils in warm climates with high rainfall become severely depleted of basic ions and strongly acidified. Many of these acid soils also have levels of available aluminum or other ions that limit plant growth.

At a pH of 5.5, a soil generally does not inhibit the growth of crops or trees because it contains little available (exchangeable) aluminum. As pH decreases to 5.1 or lower, the amount of available aluminum increases and begins to interfere with the uptake of calcium and phosphorus, adversely affecting plant growth.

The soil taxonomy classification of the United States Department of Agriculture labels most tropical soils with a pH of less than 5.5 as Oxisols or Ultisols. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) calls these Ferralsols and Acrisols. The Oxisols, with aluminum saturations of 79 to 89 percent, are more harmful to leguminous trees and crops than are the Ultisols, with aluminum saturations of 49 to 64 percent. There are also some strongly acidic Entisols (called Arenosols by FAO), Inceptisols (classified as Cambisols, Plinthosols, and Gleysols by FAO), and Andisols (Andosols).

How does soil acidity affect the availability of nutrients? 

Plant roots obtain nutrients from the soil solution, and that solution's chemical composition is affected by its pH. Nutrient availability is greatest in soils with a pH between 55 and 65. When the soil solution falls outside this range, plants often show signs of nutrient deficiencies.

In alkaline soils at a pH above 7.0, phosphorus, iron, zinc, boron, and copper become less available to plants. In acid soils at a pH below 5.0, phosphorus and molybdenum become less available and soil nitrification slows down. Some nutrients - such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium - may be lost, and high levels of available iron or aluminum may lead to the formation of insoluble phosphate compounds, dramatically reducing the level of phosphate available to plants.

The two most important indicators of acid soil conditions that are severe enough to limit plant growth are low pH and high levels of available aluminum. Indeed, aluminum toxicity and soil infertility are often associated. In soils with a pH of 5.1 or lower, aluminum levels often constitute more than 50 percent of the cation exchange complex. Manganese toxicity can also occur in a soil with a pH of less than about 5.5, but manganese toxicity is not as common as aluminum toxicity.

How do you measure soil acidity? 

The best way to determine whether a soil is strongly acid is to consult a soil scientist. Failing this, a general soil survey map may be useful. Such a map may include specific information on soil pH and the degree of aluminum saturation. Otherwise, as a general "rule of thumb," soils classified as Oxisols or Ultisols are likely to be strongly acidic in tropical climates.

If you cannot consult a soil scientist or a reliable soil map, you may need to collect soil samples and have them analyzed. Take separate samples at depths of 0 to 20 cm, 20 to 50 cm, and 50 to 100 cm below the soil surface. The subsoil is normally the best indicator of acidity because the surface soil (at 0 to 20 cm) is often affected by recent management. Altogether, you will need about 10 separate samples at each depth for each distinct soil area in your site. Mix together the 10 samples for a specific area and depth and take a small subsample of the mixture.

You may be able to send your samples to a soil laboratory for analysis of pH and available aluminum levels. Alternatively, you can analyze the pH levels of your soil samples using a portable pH meter, colorimetric test kit, or test strips. Mix each subsample with an equal volume of pure water (rain water is preferable to tap water if deionized water is not available). After mixing, allow the soil particles to settle for a few minutes and then measure the pH of the solution above the soil particles.

Equipment for measuring pH is available by mail order or from retail outlets that specialize in agricultural or scientific supplies. Colorimetric pH test kits are fairly inexpensive but are less precise than electrochemical instruments. There is no simple field test for available aluminum, but if the pH is below 5.0, then available aluminum is likely to be high.

An alternative to analyzing the soil is to observe plant growth as an indicator of soil conditions. What kinds of plants are growing in the soil? The presence of plants that tolerate acid soils such as imperata grass, bracken ferns, and Stylosanthes species-is an indication of acid soil conditions. If crops are growing well, the soil is probably not highly acid. If, on the other hand, there are problems with beans, cotton, or maize crops, then soil acidity may be the culprit. Phaseolus beans (not cowpea types) are particularly sensitive to aluminum toxicity if they are growing well, aluminum may not be a problem.

How do you Interpret the results of a soil analysis? 

An analysis of soil nutrients is often expressed in terms of milliequivalents per 100 g of soil (meq/100 g). An equivalent expression is cmol charge/kg. Values given as milliequivalents per 100 g of soil may be converted to parts per million (ppm) as follows:
1 meq/100 g of K+ (potassium) = 391 ppm
1 meq/100 g of Al+++ (aluminum) = 90 ppm
1 meq/100 g of Mg++ (magnesium) = 122 ppm
1 meq/100 g of Ca++ (calcium) = 200 ppm
1 meq/100 g of Na+ (sodium) = 230 ppm.

 Phosphorus content is usually expressed as parts per million. Most field and vegetable crops will respond to additions of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers when soil phosphorus (sodium bicarbonate [NaHCO3]-extractable) is in the range of 8 to 15 ppm and exchangeable soil potassium is in the range of 60 to 100 ppm. Soil phosphorus above 25 ppm is considered adequate for maize. One important measure that can be obtained from soil test results is the percent of aluminum saturation. This value compares the amount of exchangeable aluminum in the soil with the sum of aluminum plus exchangeable bases, as in the formula:

 Al / (Ca + Mg + K + Na + Al) x 100 = % Al saturation

In most cases, not all of these elements need to be analyzed. As a minimum for calculating percent aluminum saturation, the content of aluminum, calcium, and magnesium should be determined.

Plant species and varieties differ in the amount of aluminum saturation they can tolerate: above that limit, plant growth is reduced. Generally, cowpea-type beans, males, rice, and cassava have high tolerance to aluminum (70-100% saturation), whereas phaseolus-type beans, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat have low to moderate tolerance (0-70%), and cotton and maize have low tolerance (0-40%). Some nitrogen fixing tree species are known to tolerate high levels of aluminum in the soil, but the critical level for many species is not known. Controlled experiments are required to provide this information for a number of tree species and, in some cases, for particular varieties and provenances.

If plants show stunting, crinkled leaves, or leaves with small brown spots, manganese toxicity may be suspected. To determine manganese toxicity, apply a 5 percent hydrogen peroxide solution to a soil sample: if the solution fizzes (makes bubbles), manganese toxicity may be a problem.

Source : http://www.fastonline.org

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Controlled-Release Fertilizers Using Zeolites

Controlled-Release Fertilizers Using Zeolites

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has experimented with zeolites to help control the release of fertilizer nutrients in soil. The use of soluble fertilizers can lead to water pollution and to wasted nutrients. Nitrogen, for example, can leach into ground and surface waters, especially in sandy soils, and phosphate may become fixed and unavailable to plants, especially in tropical soils. Zeolites are porous minerals with high cation-exchange capacity that can help control the release of plant nutrients in agricultural systems. Zeolites can free soluble plant nutrients already in soil, and may improve soil fertility and water retention. Because zeolites are common, these unique minerals could be useful on a large-scale in agriculture.

USGS research has experimented with zeolites applied to several different fertilizers including controlled-release nitrogen, controlled-release phosphorous fertilizers, and in the release of trace nutrients.

Controlled-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer

Urea is one of the most common nitrogen fertilizers. It is very soluble in water, and can be leached through the root zone. In addition, urea is converted into ammonium ions by an enzyme found in most soils. Soil bacteria then convert these ammonium ions into readily leachable nitrate ions. Using zeolitic rocks in fertilizer can help prevent these nutrient losses.



A controlled-release nitrogen (N) fertilizer can be produced by heating zeolite rock chips to about 400oC to drive out all zeolite and pore water, which is replaced with molten urea. The urea crystallizes at about 132oC. The rate of nitrogen release from the zeolitic rock is slowed in three ways: (1) by containing urea in the rock pores and zeolite crystals, thus preventing the leaching of urea from the root zone; (2) by slowing the conversion of urea by soil enzymes, thus delaying the formation of ammonium ions; and (3) by taking up ammonium ions onto exchange sites in the zeolite, thus protecting them from nitrifying bacteria. Potassium-saturated zeolite prepared by the above method contains approximately 17 wt. percent elemental N. The rate of N release can be controlled by changing the size of the rock chips.

Controlled-Release Phosphorous Fertilizers

Phosphate (H2PO4) can be released to plants from phosphate rock (P-rock) composed largely of the calcium phosphate mineral apatite by mixing the rock with zeolite having an exchange ion such as ammonium. The approximate reaction in soil solution is as follows: (P-rock) + (NH4-zeolite) = (Ca-zeolite) + (NH4+) + (H2PO4-).

The zeolite takes up Ca2+ from the phosphate rock, thereby releasing both phosphate and ammonium ions. Unlike the leaching of very soluble phosphate fertilizers (for example, super-phosphate), the controlled-release phosphate is released as a result of a specific chemical reaction in the soil. As phosphate is taken up by plants or by soil fixation, thechemical reaction releases more phosphate and ammonium in the attempt to reestablish equilibrium. The rate of phosphate release is controlled by varying the ratio of P-rock to zeolite. Phosphorus is also released from the rock by the lowering of soil pH as ammonium ions are converted to nitrate.



Controlled-release fertilizers were tested in greenhouse pot experiments with sorghum-sudangrass using NH4-saturated zeolite (clinoptilolite) and P-rock with a phosphate application rate of 340 mg P per kg soil, and zeolite/P-rock ratios ranging from 0 to 6. Total phosphate uptake and phosphate concentration measured for the grass were related linearly to the zeolite/P-rock ratio, and yields summed over four cuttings were as much as four times larger than control experiments.

Release of Trace Nutrients

Experiments indicate that zeolite in soil can aid in the release of some trace nutrients and in their uptake by plants. The release of phosphorus, potassium (K), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) was enhanced by the presence of zeolite in a neutral soil. The concentration of Cu and Mn in sudangrass (in mg/kg) was significantly related to the zeolite/P-rock (x) in experimental systems that used two different NH4-saturated clinoptilolites, two different soils, and two different forms of P-rock.

Potential Harmful Effects

Zeolites can be harmful as well as helpful to plant growth. For example, zeolites with sodium as the chief exchange ion can be toxic to plants, and K-, Ca-, and NH4-poor zeoIites can scavenge these ions from soil solutions and thereby limit plant growth when used in soils that are deficient in these nutrients. These negative results emphasize the need to use appropriate zeolites during agricultural experimentation.

Source : http://www.usgs.gov

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ZEO Health Zeolite

The Cleaning Process of ZEO Health Zeolite

We start with the cleanest zeolite on earth mined specifically for human consumption (the only mine in the world that does this). The zeolite is then intensely washed with purified water and prepared to ensure a standardized cat-ion capacity and clean cage. The zeolite is then put through rigorous quality control tests to ensure its quality and safety is maintained for human consumption. It is thoroughly dried and then MICRONIZED to the smallest powdered particle size thus allowing it to penetrate throughout the body and even through the blood brain barrier to safely remove disease causing toxic heavy metals that include lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, barium and other toxic chemicals.

Milled vs. Micronized Zeolite

Another characteristic of a low grade zeolite has to do with the way it is processed. When zeolite rocks are “milled”, they are grinded to powder. This is normally takes place at the mine and it the cheaper way to create powder. The problem with the milling process is that it crushes the zeolite cage structure rendering the zeolite un-absorbable in the body and largely ineffective for human consumption. “Micronization” is the only way to make powdered zeolite and maintain the benefits of the cage structure.



The micronization process is an expensive quality control. When faced with the choice of milling the zeolite at the mine or shipping it out to a specialty micronization plant, many zeolite companies choose to mill the zeolite. All Zeo Health Ltd. zeolite is micronized with the strictest quality controls and highest standards for human consumption.

Refference : http://www.zeolite.com

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Use Zeolite for Water Treatment

The high cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) of GSA zeolites combined with their selective affinity for specific cations make them uniquely suited to various applications in water treatment. These natural zeolites have been shown to be effective in industrial and municipal waste water systems. The following is a listing of those cations which can be removed from various effluents by GSA zeolites under the proper conditions:

Rb+ Li+ K+ Cs+ NH+4

Na+ Ag+ Cd+2 Pb+2 Zn+2

Ba+2 Sr+2 Cu+2 Ca+2 Hg+2

Mg+2 Fe+3 Co+3 Al+3 Cr+3

One of the first full scale projects to incorporate natural zeolites in a municipal tertiary water treatment system was built for the Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency. This system, designed by CH2M Hill, utilizes zeolite as an ion exchange medium for the removal of ammonium (NH+4). The municipal effluent containing ammonium is passed through the natural zeolite which adsorbs the ammonium ion. The efficiency of ammonium removal is dependent upon temperature, water quality, and rate of flow. Regeneration of the natural zeolite bed for reuse is achieved by passing a brine solution through it. The regenerant then is passed through a stripping unit and the ammonium is converted into ammonium sulfate, and sold as a fertilizer.


A pilot project near Denver, Colorado, is now using natural zeolites for the removal of ammonium in a potable water system. Similar systems are now in production which remove various pollutants including heavy metals and radioactive ions from industrial effluents.

One alternative to a typical tertiary water treatment plant is to apply effluents over natural soils. The soil filters the pollutants from the water as it gradually percolates to the natural ground-water table which may be recovered from wells for reuse. The soil, as an ion exchange medium, is regenerated by way of crop production capable of removing many of the pollutants. A major limitation of such systems is the requirement for percolation which typically necessitates the use of a sandy soil type not ideal for ion exchange. The low cation exchange capacity of these sandy soil can then be enhanced through the addition of GSA zeolites which will not impede percolation. Tests of such a system were carried out by Dr. Ian Pepper of the University of Arizona. In these tests, a turf grass was used to regenerate the system and adequate efficiencies of pollutant removal were found to be attainable. Additions of natural zeolites in these systems may be found to favorably improve the sequestering of heavy metals. Further testing is required to fully demonstrate this possibility.

Systems for the specific removal of cations from industrial wastes utilizing natural zeolites as a component of the filter medium have been commercialized. These systems have successfully recovered precious metals from plating operations as well as basic industrial pollutants from effluents.

Reference : http://www.gsaresources.com

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Agriculture and Plant Growing Use Of Natural Zeolite On Sandy Soil

Fields of using the natural zeolite embrace practically all kinds of human activities , and above all in agriculture, plant growing and ecology as follows .

1. Ameliorant, natural fertilizer structure modifier, radionuclide absorber
2. Soil deoxidizer (cations of heavy metals in the soil being decontaminated and the soil its elfbeingenriched with micro elements )
3. Stabilizer of mineral fertilizers
4. Mineral component of foamed glass and concrete.
5. Active additive to grouting mortars for well cementing
6. Abrasive materi al for producing cleaning compositions
7. Ion exchanger and sorbent for water purification and softening

Natural HOUSEPLANTS preserves water in the soi l , retaining it for along time and supplying plants with it slowly and continuously.

The use of natural zeolite stops washing out of fertilizers from the soil , restores and increases ability of the soil to exchange nutrients for plants .

Natural zeolite prevents diseases of roots of the plants , being a source of micro elements and a soil temperature regulator.

A significant number of exchange bas es : Ca, Mg, Na, K and various microelements whos equantity distinctively exceeds their content in the soil , get into the soil together with zeolite. Thanks to the hghly active sorbent and to the appearance of exchange bases in the soil solution and the solid phase absorbing functions of the soil complex made up by sandy soils are increased.

The practical introduction of cli noptilolite into the soil results in the significant accumulation of mobile and absorbed calcium; it proves that the natural mineral and the soil interact immediately. The natural zeolite acts as an ion exchanger: cations from the clinoptilolite structure are replaced with hydrogen ions of the soil solution and of the soil solid phase. Thus , as a resul t of the cli noptilolite applicati on the content of Ca, K and Mg exchange bases in the soil absorbing complex is si gnificantly increased as compared with the initial one.

So the increase of the calcium content in the soil complex, caused by zeolite applicati on proves that it actively interacts not only with the soil but also with mineral fertilizers . The point in view is the exchange absorption of important-for-plant-nutrition cations introduced into the soil together with fertilizers . This property of natural zeolites is used to prevent losses of nutrient substances while they are accumulated in the soil .

Genetic resources of mineral and organic resources , being, as it is known, main carriers of the soil absorbing capacity are extremely limited in sandy soils , and consequently is limited is the capacity of the soil to absorb and retain nutritive substances . When natural zeolite is introduced into the soil the content of an active mineral fraction having good ion-exchange properties increases , resulting .in the growth of the absorbing capacity of the fertile soil . In practice the greatest increase in cation capacity may be attained when 1 hectare of land is treated wi th 15 tons of zeolite. This method is rather efficient and its effect is preserved for a long time: from 5 to 7 years .

The cation exchange capacity of the soil enriched with zeolite increases at the expense of natural reserves of alkaline earth elements cations as well as due to its elective exchange capacity to absorb and retain nutritive substances from fertili zers that have been introduced into the soil . With the increase of the absorbing capacity of the soil its most important properties improve which is reflected on the growth and heal th of plants .

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Penggunaan Zeolite pada Pertanian beserta Dosis Pemakaian

Dasar Kebijakan Pemerintah:

• SK Menteri Pertanian No 07/Kpts/Mentan/Bimas/XII/1998 tanggal 9 Desember 1998
• Dirjen Tanaman Pangan & Hortikultura No. PR.130.760 .11.1998 tanggal 26 November 1998 telah menyetujui zeolite sebagai bahan pembenah tanah.
  

Fungsi zeolite bagi lahan pentanian :

1. Menjaga keseimbangan pH tanah.
2. Meningkatkan kadar oksigen terlarut dalam air irigasi lahan persawahan.
3. Mampu mengikat logam berat yang bersifat meracun tanaman misalnya Pb dan Cd
4. Mengikat kation dan unsur dalam pupuk misalnya NH4+ dan urea K+, KCl dan ion Posphat, sehingga penyerapan pupuk menjadi effisien (tidak boros).
5. Ramah Iingkungan karena menetralkan unsur yang mencemari Iingkungan.
6. Memperbaiki struktur tanah (sifat fisik) karena kandungan Ca dan Na.
7. Meningkatkan KTK tanah (sifat kimia).
8. Meningkatkan hasil tanaman

Zeolite juga sangat mendukung sistem pertanian, dengan menggunakan zeolite hasil produk pertanian akan lebih optimal.
Cara Penggunaanya :

1. Penggunaan zeolite sebaiknya dilakukan pada saat pengolahan tanah (Penggarukan) Yaitu dengan cara ditebarkan secara merata dengan dosis sebesar 100 gram/m2
2. Campurkan dengan pupuk pada saat pemupukan dengan perbandingan sekitar 5% - 20% dari dosis pupuk yang digunakan
   

Untuk Tanaman Tahunan & Perkebunan :
Berikut Ini adalah Caranya :

1. Sebagai Pupuk dasar pada lahan yang akan ditanami dengan aa dicampur dengan pupuk tunggal Lainnya (Urea)
2. Ditebar merata sesuai dosis anjuran pada parit yang dibuat sedalam 20 cm mengelilingi batang tanaman pada lingkaran sesuai dengan proyeksi tajuk daun dan diberikan bersama dengan pupuk tunggal lainnya pada awal musim hujan.
3. Jika pemberian dilakukan dengan sistem tebar pada permukaan tanah sebaiknya dilakukan pada saat pengolahan tanah atau sebelum penanaman (Sebagaimana point 1).
4. Jika pemberiannya dilakukan setelah penanaman (umur muda) gunakan system tunggal atau larikan (garis) diantara tanaman dengan kedalaman 5 sampai dengan 10 cm atau dibuatkan parit sedalam 20 cm mengelilingi batang tanaman, selanjutnya pupuk ditebar merata sesuai dengan dosis anjuran.

Dosis penggunaan :

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Effect of limestone particle size on egg production and eggshell quality of hens during late production

Effect of limestone particle size on egg production and eggshell quality of hens during late production

F.H. de Witt#, N.P. Kuleile, H.J. van der Merwe and M.D. Fair
Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the influence of different particle size limestone in layer diets on egg production and eggshell quality during the later stages of egg production (>54 weeks of age). Calcitic limestone (360 g Ca/kg), consisting of small (<1.0 mm), medium (1.0 - 2.0 mm) and large (2.0 - 3.8 mm) particles were obtained from a specific South African source that is extensively used in poultry diets Isoenergetic (14.32 MJ AME/kg DM) and isonitrogenous (172.01 g CP/kg DM) diets with a dietary Ca content of 39.95 g Ca/kg DM were used. Sixty nine, individual caged Lohmann-Silver pullets, 17 weeks of age, were randomly allocated to the three treatments (n = 23) for the determination of various egg production and eggshell quality characteristics. Egg production and eggshell quality data recorded on individual basis at 54, 58, 64 and 70 weeks of age were pooled to calculate and statistical analysed parameter means for the late production period. Different limestone particle sizes had no effect on any of the tested egg production and eggshell quality parameters. These results suggested that larger particles limestone are not necessarily essential to provide sufficient Ca2+ to laying hens for egg production and eggshell quality at end-of-lay, provided that the dietary Ca content satisfies the requirements of the laying hen.
________________________________________________________________________________
Keywords: Lohmann-Silver, feed efficiency, egg weight, eggshell thickness, calcification
# Corresponding author. E-mail: dewittfh.sci@ufs.ac.za

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Pengaruh Penambahan Zeolite pada Kualitas Telur Puyuh

PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN ZEOLIT DALAM RANSUM TERHADAP KUALITAS TELUR BURUNG PUYUH [The Effect of Zeolit Addition in the Ration on Egg Quality of Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)]

Sihombing, G and Avivah, Avivah and Prastowo, S (2006) PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN ZEOLIT DALAM RANSUM TERHADAP KUALITAS TELUR BURUNG PUYUH [The Effect of Zeolit Addition in the Ration on Egg Quality of Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)]. Journal of the Indonesian Tropical Animal Agriculture, 31 (1). pp. 28-31. ISSN 0410-6320

Abstract

ABSTRAK Sebanyak 125 ekor burung puyuh (Coturnix coturnix japonica) telah digunakan untuk mengkaji pengaruh pemberian zeolit dalam ransum terhadap kualitas telur. Burung dialokasikan sesuai rancangan acak lengkap dengan lima perlakuan, lima ulangan dan masing-masing ulangan terdapat lima ekor burung puyuh. Perlakuan yang diberikan adalah penambahan zeolit pada ransum basal pada masing-masing perlakuan yaitu T0 (0%), T1 (2,5%), T2 (5%), T3 (7,5%) dan T4 (10%). Kualitas telur yang diamati adalah berat telur, persentase berat kerabang, persentase berat kuning telur, persentase berat albumen, tebal kerabang, indeks kuning telur, dan indeks albumen. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan zeolit pada ransum basal sampai level 10% secara umum tidak memberikan pengaruh yang signifikan, tetapi penambahan zeolit sampai level 7,5% akan memberikan pengaruh berbeda pada peningkatan tebal kerabang telur. Kata kunci : zeolit, ransum, telur, burung puyuh ABSTRACT A hundred and twenty five quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) have been used to study the effect of zeolite addition in a ration on quail eggs quality. The birds were allotted to a completely randomized design, with five treatments, five replications and each replication contained five quails. The treatments were T0 (0%), T1 (2.5%), T2 (5%), T3 (7.5%) and T4 (10%). The parameters of egg quality observed were egg weight, egg shell weight, yolk weight percentage, albumen weight percentage, eggshell thickness, yolk index and albumen index. The results showed that zeolite addition in the ration up to 10% did not significally affect overall egg quality, though the zeolite addition up to 7.5%. eggshell thickness.

Sumber : http://eprints.undip.ac.id

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Agriculture Conditions using Zeolite

Raw material zeolite from Sukabumi mining

ENHANCING OF GROWTH, ESSENTIAL OIL YIELD AND COMPONENTS OF YARROW PLANT (Achillea millefolium) GROWN UNDER SAFE AGRICULTURE CONDITIONS USING ZEOLITE AND COMPOST

E. M. Z. Harb and M. A. Mahmoud
Agricultural Botany Department, Plant Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

ABSTRACT

The unique cation exchange, adsorption, hydration-dehydration and catalytic operties of natural zeolites (as granules) loaded with micronutrients, have promoted their use in clean agriculture as soil amendments and slow-release fertilizers. This research was conducted in open field to investigate the effects of natural zeolite, organic fertilizer (compost) and combination of them on herb growth, oil yield and components of Yarrow plants (Achillea millefolium). The results indicated that zeolite loaded with micronutrients mixed with organic fertilizer led to significant increase in fresh weight, dry weight,number of flowers, total chlorophylls, carbohydrates content, oil yield as well as major ingredients of essential oil, and mineral nutrients, in comparison with the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers NPK (control) under the same conditions. These results undoubtedly confirm that zeolite and organic fertilizer (compost) mixture could replace the application of chemical fertilizers and consequently improve the quality and quantity of Achillea yield. This application may have direct impacts on safety and efficacy of herbal active constituents which entail for medicinal and aromatic products. Besides minimizing economic costs and pollution of agricultural environment.

Key words: Achillea millefolium , chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizer, yarrow plant , zeolite.

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Manfaat Zeolite pada Tanah, Tanaman, Ternak dan Tambak

Bahan baku zeolite dari lokasi tambang Cikembar, Sukabumi ex PT Khatulistiwa Hijau Prima

Zeolite pertama kali ditemukan pada tahun 1756 oleh seorang ahli mineralogy swedia bernama cronsdet. Nama zeolite berasal dari dua kata yunani, yaitu zein (mendidih) dan lithos (batuan), karena mineral ini memiliki sifat mendidih/mengembang saat dipanaskan (diaktivasi).

Dengan majunya penemuan teknologi, zeolite disebut dengan nama mineral serba guna, karena fungsinya yang sangat beraneka ragam, seperti untuk :
* Pertanian.
* Perkebunan.
* Perindustrian.
* Peternakan.
* Perairan (pertambakan dan perikanan).
* Pengolahan air bersih.
* Dan lain-lain.

MANFAAT PADA TANAH
* Membenahi kondisi tanah (fisik, kimia dan biologi tanah).
* Meningkatkan hara tanaman dan kafasitas tukar ion (ktk).
* Mempengaruhi sifat kimia tanah seperti peningkatan kalsium (Ca), kalium (K), penurunan alumunium (Al).
* Mengurangi keracunan logam berat dan tingkat kelarutan ion Fe dan Al.
* Memelihara kelestarian lingkungan.

MANFAAT PADA TANAMAN
* Meningkatkan produktivitas dan kualitas produk.
* Mempercepat pertumbuhan tanaman.
* Meningkatkan ketahanan tanaman dari hama/penyakit.
* Mengefisienkan penggunaan pupuk.
* Melepaskan nutrisi yang dibutuhkan oleh tanaman secara teratur dan perlahan.
* Mengurangi hilangnya pupuk karena terbawa arus air.

Komposisi pemakaian

Dalam pemakaian, zeolite ini tidak sendiri, tetapi digabung dengan kebutuhan vitamin, pupuk, dan mineral lain.

Komposisi campuran: Urea : SP-36 : KCl : Zeolite = 200 :100 : 125 : 300

Hasil

* Ketersediaan hara N mneingkat hingga 63 %
* Peningkatan hasil produksi sebesar 20 – 30 %
* Menstabikan ph tanah
* Berat seribu butir gabah naik hingga 15 %
* Gabah hampa turun hingga 36 %
* Rendeman beras naik hingga 11 %

MANFAAT PADA TERNAK
* Mempercepat pertumbuhan/ pertambahan berat badan.
* Meningkatkan kesehatan dan ketahanan terhadap diarchea dan pernafasan.
* Meningkatkan selera makan dan vitalitas.
* Memperlancar proses pencernaan dan penyerapan makanan.
* Mempertinggi mutu daging/kualitas.
* Meningkatkan efisiensi penggunaan pakan.
* Meningkatkan produksi susu (sapi) dan telur ayam.
* Membuat tinja lebih kering dan mengurangi bau.
* Menurunkan mortalitas.
* Memperkeras kulit telur (unggas).

Zeolite dicampurkan pada pakan sebanyak 5 – 10 %

MANFAAT PADA TAMBAK
* Meningkatkan kelangsungan hidup benur
* Meningkatkan produksi tambak udang
* Menyerap unsur NH4, H2S, besi, dan logam
* Merawat dan membersihkan kotoran dan sisa pakan
* Mengurangi kandungan amoniak dalam media budi daya ataupun media transportasi ikan/udang, sehingga berpengaruh pada pertumbuhan dan kelangsungan hidup udang/ikan serta hewan air lainnya yang bersifat ammonotelic
* Mengurangi kebutuhan air dalam kegiatan budi daya perairan intensif
* Makanan tambahan

Untuk merawat dan membersihkan kotoran dan sisa pakan, ditebarkan Zeolite sebanyak 50 kg/m 2/minggu.
Untuk tambak baru atau setelah panen, pada dasar tambak ditebarkan Zeolite sebanyak 500 kg/ha.

Artikel lainnya:

Pupuk Zeolit, Si Murah Berkhasiat Tinggi Untuk Kebun Sawit (Bagian 2)
Agriculture And Plant Growing Use Of Natural Zeolite On Sandy Soil
Pupuk Zeolit, Si Murah Berkhasiat Tinggi Untuk Kebun Sawit (Bagian 1)
Penggunaan Zeolite Pada Pertanian Beserta Dosis Pemakaian
Effect Of Limestone Particle Size On Egg Production And Eggshell Quality Of Hens During Late Production
Pengaruh Penambahan Zeolite Pada Kualitas Telur Puyuh
Agriculture Conditions Using Zeolite
PT KHATULISTIWA HIJAU PRIMA
Manfaat Zeolite Pada Tanah, Tanaman, Ternak Dan Tambak
Cara Mudah Membuat Pupuk Organik Cair (POC)
Usaha Pembuatan Pupuk Organik Instan
Manfaat Zeolite Pada Bidang Pertanian
Menghitung Kebutuhan Kompos
Standar Pupuk Organik Granul Perlu Direvisi
Go Organik 2010 Tidak Mencapai Target
Mau Jadi Profesional Atau Entrepreneur ?
Clinoptilolite Zeolites
Potensi Zeolit Untuk Mengolah Limbah Industri Dan Radioaktif
Indonesia Belum Serius Memanfaatkan Zeolit
Peresmian Laboratorium Bahasa Dan Multimedia Sekolah Bertaraf Internasional (SBI) Kab. Sukabumi
Sekolah Bertaraf Internasional ( SBI ) Kabupaten Sukabumi
Tegalbuled Miliki Pabrik Rp 50 Juta Dollar
Zeolit Sebagai Mineral Serba Guna
These Are The Members Of The Zeolite Group
The Zeolite Group Of Minerals
Etika Bisnis Dalam Islam
Inquiry About Lead Ore
Cintakan Allah Sungguh Agung
Maukah Anda Berpenghasilan Besar Dan Luar Biasa?
Kunci Sukses
Guest Book
Exchange link
Daftar Isi

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Cara Mudah Membuat Pupuk Organik Cair (POC)

Pupuk konvensional, kimiawi, sintetis, artifisial, setelah memberikan “keajaiban” di masa “revolusi hijau”, ternyata menghasilkan banyak masalah. Pertama menurunkan kesuburan tanah, selanjutnya… ketergantungan, harga mahal, barang langka, marak pemalsuan, dan silakan teruskan sendiri.

Lalu, kenapa tidak membuatnya dengan tangan sendiri. Bahannya, mudah didapat di sekitar kita.

Berikut, salah satu cara mudah membuat pupuk organik (organic fertilizer) dalam wujud cair.
Bahan dan alat:

1. Kotoran domba/kambing
2. Air bersih (dalam artian tidak tercemar bahan kimia beracun/berbahaya)
3. Ragi tape (boleh ditambah bioaktivator seperti yang banyak dijual di pasar, kalau ada)
4. Tong/drum ukuran volume 100-120 liter
   

Hanya dengan empat langkah sederhana yang dapat dilihat pada gambar di bawah ini (Klik pada gambar untuk memperbesar tampilan):



Setelah satu pekan, pupuk dapat digunakan. Paling cocok untuk diterapkan pada tanaman hortikultura.

Sebelum digunakan untuk memupuk, campurkan 15 cc air POC ke dalam 1 liter air. Berikan pada tanaman 1 minggu 1 kali. Manfaatnya adalah keniscayaan.

sumber : http://dusunlaman.net

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Usaha Pembuatan Pupuk Organik Instan

Gerakan gaya hidup sehat sedang melanda dunia, yang bertemakan " back to nature." Trend baru tersebut telah bermunculan, dimana masyarakat meng-iginkan sesuatu makanan yang benar-benar alami, bebas dari zat kimia, pestisida, hormon, dan pupuk kimia. Trend ini sejalan dengan Go Organic 2010 yang merupakan kebijakan yang dicanangkan pemerintah. Melihat fenomena seperti ini menjadikan prospek usaha pupuk organik sangat bagus. Hal ini dikarenakan masyarakat makin memperhatikan kesehatan sehingga akan memilih produk organik seperti beras, sayur, maupun buah-buahan yang menggunaan pupuk organik karena hasil produknya lebih menyehatkan bagi kesehatan tubuh. Disisi lain permintaan akan penggunaan pupuk organik semakin meningkat karena masyarakat terutama kalangan petani maupun penghobi tanaman hias yang menyadari bahwa penggunaan pupuk kimiawi dalam rentang waktu yang lama tidak memberi kontribusi positif tapi malah membuat pengerasan tanah yang membutuhkan waktu lama untuk pemulihan.

Penggunaan pupuk organik menjadi pilihan yang tepat. tidak salah, apabila usaha ini makin prospektif, karena semakin banyak orang yang tertarik untuk berkecimpung dibidang tanaman. Meskipun berprospek namun usaha pupuk organik ini belum ketat persainganya. Bahkan pupuk organik yang diproduksi saat ini hanya bisa memenuhi 3% dari kebutuhan.

Kompos mempunyai beberapa sifat yang menguntungkan antara lain:(1) memperbaiki struktur tanah berlempung sehingga menjadi ringan, (2) mem-perbesar daya ikat tanah berpasir sehingga tanah tidak berderai, (3) menambah daya ikat air pada tanah, memperbaiki drainaise dan tata udara dalam tanah, (4) mempertinggi daya ikat tanah terhadap zat hara, (5) mengandung hara yang lengkap (6) membantu proses pelapukan bahan mineral, (7) memberi keter-sediaan bahan makanan bagi mikroba, (8) menurunkan aktivitas mikro-organisme yang merugikan.

Pupuk organik merupakan pupuk yang dibuat dari beberapa bahan dasar seperti kotoran hewan, urine hewan dan hijauan (tanaman seperti rumput-rumputan, alang-alang, dan limbah sayur-sayuran). Sehingga, pupuk organik me-miliki nilai plus dibanding pupuk kimiawi karena bahan-bahan alami yang digunakanya. Beberapa tahun belakangan ini, usaha pupuk organik sedang naik daun, karena menigkatnya permintaan dari masyarakat. Apalagi dengan semakin sering terjadinya bencana alam sehingga masyarakat berpikir ulang tentang dampak penggunaan bahan-bahan kimia terhadap kelangsungan alam.

Penggunaan pupuk kimiawi dalam rentang waktu panjang akan membuat waktu bertahun-tahun untuk menggemburan tanah yang menyebabkan hasil pertanian tidak maksimal.

Selama ini banyak dari produsen pupuk organik khususnya yang berasal dari kotoran sapi cenderung hanya menjemur langsung dijual tanpa melalui pengolahan dan penambahan nutrisi. Memang, pupuk organik memiliki kelebihan jangka panjang yaitu menggemburkan tanah tetapi pupuk organik juga memiliki kelemahan yakni kurangnya kandungan Phosfor (P), kalium dan kandungan nitrogen. Contohnya kandungan N dalam kotoran sapi yang hanya sekitar 6% sedangkan pada Urea mencapai 45% sehingga akan lebih baik jika diberikan tambahan nutrisi.

Melalui beberapa proses diatas, pupuk organik dengan bahan dasar kotoran sapi siap untuk dipasarkan.

Pupuk organik kompos instan merupakan hasil fermentasi dari bahan-bahan organik seperti tanaman, hewan, atau limbah organik.. Pemasaran pupuk organik instan siap tabur dan praktis dengan bahan dasar kotoran sapi ini terbagi menjadi tiga jalur yaitu: langsung kepada konsumen, melalui pengecer, dan melalui distributor.

Selama ini banyak dari produsen pupuk organik khususnya yang berasal dari kotoran sapi cenderung hanya menjemur langsung dijual tanpa melalui pengolahan dan penambahan nutrisi. Memang, pupuk organik memiliki kelebihan jangka panjang yaitu menggemburkan tanah tetapi pupuk organik juga memiliki kelemahan yakni kurangnya kandungan Phosfor (P), kalium dan kandungan nitrogen.
Contohnya kandungan N dalam kotoran sapi yang hanya sekitar 6% sedangkan pada Urea mencapai 45% sehingga akan lebih baik jika diberikan tambahan nutrisi.

Langkah-langkah yang sebaiknya dilakukan untuk menghasilkan pupuk yang memiliki nilai tambah yaitu: (1) Siapkan tiga tempat (wadah) dengan ukuran 1x1 m dengan kedalaman 1 m lalu alasi dengan daun pisang. (2) Masukkan kotoran Sapi dengan volume seperempat (25 cm) dari kedalaman wadah, kotoran sapi lalu dicampurkan dengan tepung tulang sebanyak 1-2%, sekam bakar sebanyak 3% dan juga EMP 4 (mikroorganisme) yang dicairkan dengan takaran 4 liter untuk 1 ton kotoran Sapi. EMP 4 berfungsi untuk mempercepat proses composting (pembusukkan). Tepung tulang berguna untuk menambahkan kandungan P (fospor), sedangkan sekam bakar berguna untuk menambahkan kan-dungan K (kalium) pada pupuk organic. Bahan-bahan seperti tepung tulang, tepung darah dan EMP 4 dapat diperoleh ditoko-toko bahan kimia. (3) Setelah semua bahan tambahan dicampurkan lalu dimasukkan kedalam wadah selama 1 minggu lalu bagian atasnya ditutup dengan daun pisang, plastik atau naungan agar tidak terkena hujan supaya benar-benar kering. (4) Setelah 1 minggu lalu dipin-dahkan ke wadah ke dua sambil diaduk. Pemindahan kotoran sapi ke wadah lainya dilakukan setelah didiamkan selama 1 minggu. (5) Setelah 4 minggu, pupuk kompos dapat dipanen dengan penyusutan kadar air sebanyak 70%, sehingga dari 1 ton kotoran sapi kita akan memperoleh 300 kg kompos kering. (6)Pupuk kompos yang sudah jadi ini maka kandungan nutrisi sudah terpenuhi kekurangan kandungan N dan P sehingga akan lebih bagus untuk menggemburkan tanah dan meningkatkan hasil tanam.

Semoga bermanfaat.

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Manfaat Zeolite pada Bidang Pertanian

Zeolit alam yang karakteristik dalam hal kristalinitas, ukuran pori, sesuai dengan struktur dan komposisi Si atau Al. Struktur zeolit yang berpori dengan molekul air didalamnya, melalui pemanasan menyebabkan molekul air mudah lepas sehingga menjadikan zeolit spesifik sebagai adsorben, molecular sieving, penukar ion, dan katalisator (Mumpton, 1978).

Karakteristik yang unit inilah menyebabkan zeolit banyak manfaatnya, di bidang pertanian, sebagai soil kondisioner dan pelepas lambat pupuk, di perikanan, sebagai penyerap unsur-unsur beracun hasil sekeresi binatang, di bidang industri sebagai penyerap bau-bauan, water treatmen, penyaring limbah dan lain sebagainya.

Zeolite Powder adalah salah satu produk dari Zeolit Indonesia yang sudah diolah dan diaktivasi sedemikian rupa sehingga memiliki kemampuan yang maksimal. Selain itu zeolit yang digunakan oleh PT Khatulistiwa Hijau Prima adalah zeolit yang berasal dari sumber/deposit zeolite di wilayah Cikembar, Sukabumi, Jawa Barat yang sudah diakui di dunia Internasional.

Komposisi mineral zeolit rata-rata dari Indonesia hampir sama yaitu :

SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, TiO2, MgO, CaO, Na2O.

Umumnya perbedaan antara sumber/deposit yang satu dengan yang lain adalah dalam jumlah kandungan, porositas, serta KTK. Perbedaan inilah biasanya yang menyebabkan apakah zeolit itu memiliki kemampuan yang baik atau kurang kurang baik.

Zeolit merupakan kristal aluminosilikat terhidrasi yang mengandung kation alkali dan alkali tanah dalam kerangka tiga dimensinya, secara empiris mempunyai rumus sebagai berikut :

Mx/n[{AlO2}x{SiO2}y]. zH2O

Dimana, Mx/n: kation golongan IA dan IIA dalam sistem periodik, n: valensi logam alkali, x: bilangan tertentu alumina dari 2-10, y: bilangan tertentu silika dari 2-7, z: jumlah molekul air.

Struktur dan Sifat Zeolit Alam

Struktur zeolit dapat digambarkan seperti sarang lebah dengan saluran-saluran dan rongga-rongga yang dihasilkan oleh sambungan-sambungan kaku tetrahedral (Dyer, 1994). Struktur kristal dari mineral zeolit termasuk anggota kelas aluminosilikat. Umumnya zeolit tersusun oleh satuan unit pembangun primer yang merupakan satuan unit terkecil tetrahedral SiO4 dan AlO4. Dalam struktur zeolit, atom Si dan O tidak memiliki muatan,sedangkan atom Al bermuatan negatif sehingga struktur rantai aluminosilika tersebut akan dinetralkan oleh kation (contoh Na+, Ca+, dan K+).

Pada tahun 1967, Meier mengklasifikasikan dan mengilusterasikan struktur zeolit berdasarkan susunan unit pembangunnya, yaitu: unit pembangun primer, sekunder, dan tersier.

1. Unit pembangun primer berupa tetrahedral SiO4 dan AlO4 yang merupakan satuan unit terkecil.
2. Unit pembangun sekunder terbentuk dari rangkaian unit pembangun primer dengan cara setiap satu atom oksigen secara bersama sebagai sudut dua tetrahedral, membentuk cicin tunggal maupun ganda dengan 4, 5, 6, dan 8 tetrahedral.
3. Unit pembangun tersier atau struktur ruang terbentuk dari ikatan unit pembangun sekunder satu sama lain dengan berbagai kombinasi. Kristal zeolit merupakan rangkaian tiga dimensi unit tersier tersebut (Subagjo, 1993).

Adapun bentuk-bentuk dasar yang terkombinasi akan membentuk kristal berpori dengan pola dan dimensi saluran-saluran sejajar yang saling terhubungkan oleh saluran lain yang tegak lurus dengan variasi ukuran tertentu. Molekul tamu, yaitu molekul yang teradsorpsi atau bereaksi dengan bantuan permukaan zeolit, berdifusi menyusuri saluran pori untuk mencapai permukaan dalam zeolit. Pengelompokan sistem pori zeolit berdasarkan dimensi arah difusi molekul tamu di dalam kristal zeolit dibagi menjadi tiga kelompok, yaitu sistem pori satu dimensi, sistem pori dua dimensi, dan sistem pori tiga dimensi, seperti ditunjukkan dalam gambar 2. (Subagjo, 1993).

Berdasarkan ukuran pori zeolit terbagi tiga kelompok besar, yaitu sistem pori cincin 8 oksigen, sistem pori 10 oksigen, dan sistem pori cincin 12 oksigen (Subagjo, 1993).

Zeolit alam mempunyai struktur kristal berdimensi tiga dengan pori-pori yang banyak. Struktur zeolit yang berpori dengan cairan di dalamnya mudah lepas karena pemanasan sehingga sifatnya spesifik, yaitu dapat menyerap bahan lain yang ukuran molekulnya lebih kecil dari ukuran porinya (Dorfner, 1991).

Zeolit sebagai padatan anorganik yang berwarna kebiru-biruan memiliki sifat-sifat yang sangat unik, diantaranya adalah sangat berpori, mempunyai kemampuan menukar ion, keasaman, dan mudah dimodifikasi.

Penukar zeolit yang luas (sangat berpori) dikarenakan adanya rangkaian-rangkaian dari unit pembangun primer tetrahedral silika dan alumina. Pori-porinya berukuran molekul yang terbentuk dari tumpukan cincin beranggotakan 6, 8, 10, atau 12 tetrahedral (Barrer,1982).

Saluran pori pada zeolit berisi molekul air terbentuk akibat proses hidrasi udara disekeliling kation penukar. Melalui pemanasan air akan terurai dan saluran-saluran pori akan mengadsorpsi pada permukaan dalam dari ruang (Prayitno, 1989).

Zeolit mempunyai selektivitas tinggi dan sering digunakan untuk mengisolasi kation-kation yang diikat. Menurut Mumpton dan Fishman (1978), pertukaran zeolit bersifat membuka ikatan kerangka tetrahedralnya sehingga dapat terurai atau bertukar dengan mudah oleh pencucian suatu larutan yang kuat. Artinya, zeolit dapat memberikan ion-ion logam dengan adanya penambahan larutan garam (Prayitno, 1989).

Zeolit bersifat sebagai padatan asam Bronsted melalui pengaturan perbandingan Si/Al dalam kerangka kristal. Tetapi cara ini hanya diterapkan pada zeolit yang kaya silika, karena tahan oleh asam (Subagjo,1993).

Sifat-sifat tersebut menjadikan zeolit banyak digunakan dalam proses-proses dasar seperti dalam proses adsorpsi, pertukaran kation, katalis yang selektif dengan memanfaatkan pusat asam dan sebagai ayakan molekul.

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Menghitung Kebutuhan Kompos

Cara Pemakaian dan Menghitung Kebutuhan Kompos

Cara pemakaian kompos, sebaiknya disesuaikan dengan keadaan jenis tanah dan kandungan C organik dalam tanah tersebut, disamping juga harus disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan masing-masing jenis tanaman.

Tiap-tiap tanaman memerlukan kandungan bahan organik yang berbeda-beda. Tanaman sayuran apabila tidak dipupuk dengan pupuk organik sama sekali pertumbuhannya tidak akan sebaik tanaman yang mendapat pupuk organik.

Tanaman bunga seperti antara lain Azalea atau Anthurium, pertumbuhannya akan sangat baik pada media yang 100 persen terdiri dari bahan organik. Apabila medianya tercampur dengan tanah, pertumbuhannya kurang optimal. Beberapa tanaman lainnya akan tumbuh dengan baik apabila kompos ditambah dengan tanah dengan perbandingan 1:1. Disamping itu ada juga tanaman yang menghendaki kompos dicampur dengan tanah dan pasir dengan perbandingan 1 : 1 : 1.

Sementara itu tiap-tiap jenis tanah memiliki keadaan kesetimbangan kandungan bahan organik sendiri-sendiri. Pada tanah-tanah abu vulkanik (Andisol) seperti tanah di Lembang, kandungan C organik tanah (ideal), tidak akan sama dengan kandungan C organik tanah (ideal) pada jenis tanah Inseptisol di Banjaran, misalnya.

Sehingga jumlah pemberian pupuk organik pada tiap tanaman dan pada berbagai jenis tanah tidak akan sama.

Untuk menentukan tingkat kandungan C organik dalam tanah, harus dilakukan dengan analisa laboratorium.

Untuk mengetahui berapa kebutuhan pupuk C organik, dapat dilakukan dengan cara mempergunakan rumus sbb:

Kebutuhan Kompos (C organik) = C organik Tanah x 1.724 x 20 cm x 10.000 m2

C organik tanah = ditentukan berdasarkan hasil analisa tanah di laboratorium
1.724: konstanta 20 cm: kedalaman lapisan olah tanah 10.000 m2: Luas areal

Sebagai ilustrasi, apabila hasil analisa laboratorium tanah diketahui kandungan C organik tanah di suatu tempat adalah 2.56 %, Maka menghitung kandungan C organik tanah dalam lapisan olah (20 cm) seluas 1 ha adalah:

Kandungan C organik lapisan olah tanah adalah = 2.56 x 1,724 x 20 x 10.000 = 8.800 kg /ha = 8.8 ton / ha

Sementara itu ada juga yang mengelompokan tingkat kandungan bahan organik tanah secara umum, seperti dapat dilihat pada tabel berikut:

Kandungan Organik	Tingkat	Setara Dengan
(% Berat Tanah)		Ton / ha
Metoda Welkley - Black
> 20	Sangat Tinggi	> 68.9
10 – 20	Tinggi	34.48 – 68.9
4 – 10	Sedang	13.79 – 34.48
2 - 4	Rendah	4.34 – 13.79
min 2	Sangat Rendah	min 4.34

Sumber: Metson (1961) dalam Brooker Tropical Soil Manual 1984

Dengan demikian rekomendasi pemberian pupuk organik dilakukan berdasarkan kekurangan kandungan C organik dalam tanah. Sebagai ilustrasi dapat dikemukakan bahwa bila berdasarkan analisa laboratorium tanah, kandungan C organik tanah adalah 2.56 % setara dengan 8.8 ton / ha, maka berdasarkan keadaan tingkat kesuburan C organik tanah, kandungan organik tanah berada pada tingkat rendah.

Berapa persisnya kebutuhan pupuk Organik, adalah sangat tergantung kepada jenis tanah dan jenis tanaman. Keadaan ini baru akan diketahui dengan lebih akurat apabila dilakukan pengujian lapangan. Tetapi dengan bantuan panduan tingkat kesuburan tanah pada tabel 5 di atas, dapat diketahui secara umum bahwa untuk mencapai tingkat kesuburan C organik tanah sedang, yaitu 13.79 s/d 34.48 ton / ha, maka diperlukan penambahan pupuk organik sebesar = (13.79 s/d 34.48 ) – 8.8 ton = 4.99 s/d 25.4 ton /ha.

Sumber : http://lestarimandiri.org/id/pupuk-organik/92-pupuk-organik/230-menghitung-kebutuhan-kompos.html

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Standar Pupuk Organik Granul Perlu Direvisi

Di dalam Peraturan Menteri Pertanian No. 28/Permentan/SR.130/5/2009 tentang Pupuk Organik, Pupuk Hayati dan Pembenah Tanah, dikenal istilah Pupuk Organik Granul. Pupuk organik didefinisikan sebagai pupuk yang berasal dari sisa tanaman dan/atau kotoran hewan yang telah melalui proses rekayasa, berbentuk padat atau cair dan dapat diperkaya dengan bahan mineral alami dan/atau mikroba yang bermanfaat memperkaya hara, bahan organik tanah, dan memperbaiki sifat fisik, kimia dan biologi tanah.

Permentan No. 28/Permentan/SR.130/5/2009 lahir dalam rangka mendukung program subsidi pupuk organik, pupuk hayati dan pembenah tanah kepada petani yang diberikan melalui Departemen Pertanian. Para produsen pupuk organik granul harus memperhatikan Permentan tersebut. Namun sayangnya, di dalam persyaratan teknisnya pada beberapa hal masih terdapat informasi yang mengundang banyak pertanyaan sehingga perlu direvisi.

Berdasarkan Permentan No. 28/Permentan/SR.130/5/2009, beberapa persyaratan yang harus diperhatikan dalam POG antara lain adalah rasio C/N, kandungan bahan ikutan, kandungan unsur mikro, kandungan organisme patogen, kandungan organik, dan kadar air.

Dalam Permentan tersebut, pupuk organik granul dibagi menjadi dua kelompok yaitu pupuk organik granul biasa (tanpa tambahan mikroba fungsional) dan pupuk organik granul dengan tambahan mikroba fungsional (seperti mikroba penambat N2 bebas, mikroba pelarut P, mikroba penyedia K dan sebagainya). Perbedaan kedua kelompok tersebut dalam persyaratan teknisnya hanya pada kriteria kandungan mikroba fungsional dan kadar air.

Kadar Air
Kadar air yang diperbolehkan dalam pupuk organik granul murni adalah antara 4-15%, sedangkan untuk pupuk organik granul yang diperkaya mikroba adalah 10-20%.

Batasan kadar air serendah itu untuk proses produksi pupuk organik granul dari kompos perlu dikritisi karena dalam proses pembuatannya boros energi dan mematikan kandungan beraneka ragam mikroba positif bawaan (native microbe) kompos yang digranulkan. Mengapa boros energi dan mematikan aneka mikroba?

Hal itu disebabkan karena untuk mengejar persyaratan tersebut, para produsen pupuk organik granul biasanya menggunakan mesin pengering dengan suhu hingga 100-200oC sehingga memerlukan pasokan energi yang cukup tinggi. Pasokan energi yang tinggi berarti pasokan biaya yang tinggi pula.

Sementara itu, dengan ekspos suhu di atas 100oC selama beberapa detik atau menit di mesin pengering, aneka ragam mikroba positif yang terdapat di dalam pupuk organik granul akan mati. Padahal mikroba-mikroba yang terdapat dalam kompos sangat bermanfaat dalam peningkatan kesuburan tanah.

Dengan demikian, implikasi dari persyaratan kadar air tersebut telah membawa pada konsekuensi logis pada pemborosan energi dan matinya aneka mikroba positif. Oleh karena itu hendaknya persyaratan kadar air dalam Permentan tersebut tidak serendah itu, tetapi ditingkatkan menjadi lebih tinggi lagi misalnya 20-30% (baik bagi pupuk organik granul murni maupun pupuk organik granul yang diperkaya mikroba).

Penentuan kadar air serendah itu mungkin cocok bagi industri pupuk kimia granul, bukan pupuk organik granul, yang memang bebas dari mikroba dan memerlukan bentuk yang kompak, bulat, dan keras.

Kandungan Mikroba Fungsional
Kandungan mikroba fungsional (penambat N, Pelarut P, atau Penyedia K) di dalam pupuk organik granul hasil pengayaan, minimal sebanyak 103/gram. Penambahan mikroba fungsional tersebut tentunya akan lebih efektif lagi kalau mikroba positif penghuni kompos tidak keburu mati pada saat pengeringan granul.

Dan seandainya tanpa pengeringan dengan suhu tinggi (dalam rangka menuju kadar air yang distandarkan), pupuk organik granul murni (sekalipun tanpa penambahan mikroba fungsional) secara alami telah membawa mikroba fungsional pula dengan jenis yang sangat beraneka ragam dan relatif adaptif.

Selain itu, seandainya pengeringannya dilakukan dengan suhu yang tidak terlampau tinggi, penambahan mikroba fungsional dapat dilakukan pada tahap granulasi sehingga tahap pengayaan mikroba setelah proses pengeringan dapat ditiadakan. Hal tersebut berarti juga akan menghemat ongkos produksi pupuk organik granul.

Rasio C/N
Dalam Permentan, rasio C/N yang biasanya terkait dengan tingkat kematangan produk kompos tidaklah mendapat perhatian yang serius sehingga nilainya relatif longgar dan rancu. Terkait dengan hal tersebut, di persyaratan disebutkan bahwa kandungan rasio C/N pupuk organik granul antara 15-25.

Rasio C/N dengan ambang batas atas sebesar 25 terlalu longgar karena biasanya dengan nilai sebesar itu dalam kacamata komposting, komposnya belum begitu matang. Sementara itu pembatasan rasio C/N pada batas bawah 15 adalah rancu, karena sebenarnya rasio C/N akan semakin baik jika semakin mendekati rasio C/N tanah (sekitar 10).

Cara pandang terhadap besaran rasio C/N tidak bisa dilepaskan dengan kriteria kompos matang karena bahan baku pupuk organik granul adalah kompos. Umumnya kriteria kompos yang telah matang adalah di bawah angka 20, dan tanpa ambang batas bawah.

Tingkat Keasaman (pH)
Di dalam Permentan tingkat keasaman pupuk organik granul terlalu longgar rentangnya yaitu antara 4-8. Hal ini juga mengundang pertanyaan karena nilai pH 4 merupakan nilai yang cukup ekstrim (karena sangat asam) bagi kehidupan organisma sehingga pemakaiannya untuk tanaman pada keasaman tersebut perlu dipertimbangkan dengan baik. Jika pH-nya masih serendah itu, tanaman yang dipupuk bisa mati. Standar keasaman yang baik adalah antara 6,5- 8,0.

Kandungan Unsur Makro (C, N, P2O5 dan K2O)
Kandungan C dalam pupuk organik granul minimal 12%. Nilai kandungan C, terutama C-organik, dalam POG akan memberikan indikasi besarnya kandungan material organik, karena dalam persyaratan pupuk organik granul tidak ada kriteria kandungan bahan organik. Semakin tinggi kandungan C akan semakin tinggi kandungan bahan organik.

Lain halnya dengan kandungan C, kandungan unsur N, dan senyawa P2O5 dan K2O justru dibatasi tidak boleh lebih dari 6%. Pernyataan tidak boleh melebihi 6% tidak jelas alasannya, karena biasanya yang dibatasi adalah kandungan minimumnya dan dibiarkan tidak ada batas atasnya. Hal tersebut terkait dengan penyediaan unsur N, P dan K yang sangat dibutuhkan oleh tanaman. Semakin besar kandungan unsur NPK dalam beberapa hal tentunya sangat baik bagi pemupukan.

Kandungan Bakteri Patogen
Nilai ambang kandungan fecal Coli dan Salmonella masing-masing adalah tidak boleh melebihi 100 MPN/gr. Bakteri Coli dan Salmonella adalah bakteri yang berasal dari saluran pencernaan manuasia dan hewan mamalia lainnya yang dapat menyebabkan sakit perut.

Keberadaan kedua bakteri tersebut mengindikasikan bahwa material tersebut tercemar oleh material fekal (kotoran). Oleh karena bahan baku pupuk organik granul biasanya adalah kotoran hewan, maka kemungkinan pupuk organik granul yang diproduksi juga mengandung bakteri patogen tersebut. Jika kedua macam bakteri tersebut terdeteksi dalam jumlah yang banyak, kemungkinan besar material tersebut juga tercemar oleh jenis bakteri patogen lainnya.

Kandungan bakteri patogen dapat diminimalisir atau dibasmi dengan proses komposting aerobik yang terkendali. Dalam proses komposting aerobik akan terjadi efek pasteurisasi selama beberapa hari yang dapat mematikan bibit-bibit penyakit patogen.

Tabel Kriteria POG menurut Permentan No. 28/Permentan/SR.130/5/2009



Sumber : http://sriwahyono.blogspot.com

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