Evaluation of ammonium exchange capacity for agricultural soils treated with zeolites

Abstract

Natural zeolites are crystalline hydrated aluminosilicates formed by the deposition of volcanic ash in lakes with salted water. They are characterized by their ability to lose and gain water reversibly and to exchange some of the constituents without changing their structure. These properties recommend them as useful additives for agricultural soils as buffer matrix for the process of nutrients translocation. Present study aims to evaluate the ammonium exchange capacity (AEC) of treated and untreated soils with natural zeolites as an indicator of quality soil improvement. The zeolites used in this study (with a content of approx. 60% clinoptilolite) were purchased from Cemacom, the exploiting company of volcanic tuff from Zalau, Salaj County. The soil samples were collected at various time intervals during one year. Furthermore, we collecteded soil samples from unprotected and protected (greenhouses) sources where soil had different degree of organic fertilization in order to obtain information on the effect of zeolites addition on AEC.