nusagri12, Author at Indonesian Best Natural Zeolite Producer

15th May 20202nd November 2022

Zeolite as Ammonia Absorber in Pond

Ponds are part of extensive aquaculture. The pond is one type of habitat that is used as a place for brackish water aquaculture activities located in coastal areas. In general, ponds are usually directly related to the maintenance of tiger prawns, although actually there are still many species that can be cultivated in ponds such as milkfish, tilapia, grouper, white snapper and so on.

However, a problem that is often encountered in pond aquaculture activities is the concentration of ammonia which has a bad effect on animals on the pond. Ammonia will be toxic to fish if allowed to accumulate in large quantities in ponds. When ammonia accumulates to toxic levels, fish cannot extract energy from feed efficiently so that eventually the fish will become lethargic, sick, and die.

Ammonia in water exists in the form of NH3 molecules and in the form of ammonia ions in the form of NH4 +. Both forms of ammonia are very dependent on pH conditions and water temperature. If the balance is changed, such as the pH value in one of the descending parts will bring about the addition of ammonia molecules. The balance between NH3 and NH4 + is also influenced by temperature. Under certain pH conditions, toxic ammonia will appear in warm water compared to cold water. In addition, the level of toxins from ammonia is also influenced by the oxygen content in the water.

Measurement of ammonia concentration will give a glimpse of the conditions at the time the water sample is taken. But measurement at all is ineffective because the relationship between these processes is very complex because the rate of change varies throughout the year and results in a measurement pattern.

Nitrogen compounds usually come from the atmosphere, water supply, food scraps, dead organisms and from the metabolism of aquatic animals. The amount of nitrogen gas or nitrogen oxides coming from the atmosphere is generally very small. Therefore pond water pollution by nitrogen originating from the atmosphere is very unlikely. Pollution of aquaculture water by nitrogen compounds is generally caused by nitrogen compounds derived from the remnants of fertilization, dirt and other substances contained in water sources. According to research, the main source of nitrogen compounds in aquaculture is the result of aquatic animal metabolism.

The main source of ammonia in ponds is fish excretion. Fish will break down the protein in the feed and excrete it through the gills and feces. The amount of ammonia that is excreted by fish depends on the input of feed given in the culture system, the addition of such as the addition of feeding rate. Ammonia enters the pond also from the decomposition of organic material such as leftover food or algae and other dead aquatic plants carried out by microbes and fungi.

The danger or not the level of ammonia poison can vary depending on the type of fish because some more can survive. In addition, other factors such as water temperature and chemical factors play an important role. For example, ammonia (NH3) constantly changes to ammonium (NH4 +), and vice versa. The amount of each relative depends on the temperature and pH of the water. Ammonia is very poisonous, while ammonium is relatively harmless.

Ammonia control is a rather complicated problem in fish farming. Medications carried out in a situation can be toxic to fish life. Fish are very sensitive to sudden changes that occur in water. Eliminating ammonia must be done without dramatically changing the pH and it is best done without using harsh chemical additives. The use of zeolites is one of the safest ways to control ammonia levels in ponds.

Physical and chemical ion exchange is considered to be the foremost and effective way to control ammonia. The use of Zeolite and Clinoptilolite has been used successfully as an ion exchange medium to remove ammonia. Cations in the pore help neutralize the zeolite load. These cations can move freely so they can easily exchange ions. The mechanism of cation exchange is largely determined by the size, charge, and type of zeolite. Natural zeolites consist of Aluminum Silicate, capable of adsorbing and exchanging gases, whereas clinoptilolite are a kind of zeolite in which ammonia gas is adsorbed and ammonia ions are exchanged. Clinoptolites are more beneficial when compared to artificial zeolites.

Descriptions are also influential in capturing ammonia in ponds. Zeolites have a high capacity for adsorbing. The adsorption mechanism that occurs includes physical adsorption (Van der Walls force) and chemical adsorption (electrostatic forces). The absorption capacity of zeolite depends on the number of pores and surface area. Only molecules smaller than the zeolite pore can be adsorbed.

Thank you for reading the article about controlling ammonia levels in ponds. The conclusion that can be obtained from this article is that zeolite is one method that can be used to safely control ammonia in a pond based on its porous nature and is able to exchange ammonia ions. Check out the article about zeolite on the Nusagri.co.id website. Nusagri also provides natural zeolites that are ready to be exported. For more information, please check the Nusagri website’s main page or contact the contact listed.

14th May 20202nd November 2022

Natural and Synthetic Zeolite

Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicate compounds consisting of SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahydra bonds connected by oxygen atoms to form a skeleton. In the zeolite framework, each Al atom is negative and will be neutralized by bonds with easily interchangeable cations. The easily interchangeable cations present in this zeolite framework influence the adsorption process and the thermal properties of zeolites. In addition to the type of cation, the zeolite adsorption ability is also influenced by the Si / Al ratio and the geometry of the zeolite pores, including of inner surface, pore-size distribution, and also pore shape. Zeolites occur naturally at the surface of the soil. At present many types of natural zeolites have been found and grouped according to their structural similarity.

Zeolite is one type of rock containing several alumino silica minerals that are hydrated from alkaline cations and alkaline soils which have a porous structural framework, are easy to boil and expand when heated (Anwar, 1987). Zeolites have a three-dimensional structure with cavities in which contain metal ions, the zeolite molecular formula, namely Mx / n [(AlO2) x (SiO2) y] mH2O where M is a validation cation n, (AlO2) x ( SiO2) y is a negatively charged zeolite framework, while x and y are total tetrahedral numbers per unit cell and the x / y ratio is always around 1 to 5, and H2O is the hydrated water molecule in the zeolite framework.

Zeolites are composed of elements of aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), oxygen (O2), and contain cations (+ ions) and water (Ballard, et al., 1988). The more complete chemical composition of zeolite consists of Silica (SiO2) 68.3%, Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) 12.3%, Iron (Fe2O3) 0.1%, Calcium (Ca) 4.3%, Magnesium (Mg) 1, 1%, Sodium (Na2O) 0.3%, and Potassium (K2O) 1.0%.

Zeolites can be obtained through two types of sources, natural zeolites and zeolite synthesis. Natural zeolites are formed due to the complex chemical and physical processes of rocks undergoing various kinds of changes in nature. Geochemists and mineralogists has estimated that zeolites are volcanic products that freeze to volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks which subsequently undergo weathering due to the effects of heat and cold. As a natural product, natural zeolites are known to have very varied compositions, but the main components are silica and alumina. In addition to these main components, zeolites also contain various minor elements, including Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe.

Apart from its wide application, natural zeolite has several disadvantages, including containing many impurities such as Na, K, Ca, Mg and Fe as well as poor crystallinity. The presence of these impurities can reduce the activity of zeolites. To improve the character of natural zeolites so that they can be used as catalysts, adsorbents, or other applications, activation and modification are usually done first.

Synthetic zeolites are zeolites that are engineered in such a way as to obtain better character than natural zeolites. The basic principle of synthetic zeolite production is its component consisting of silica and alumina, so that it can be synthesized from various raw materials containing the two components above. Minor components in zeolites can also be added easily using pure compounds, so synthetic zeolites have a fixed composition with a high degree of purity.

the difference between natural zeolites and synthetic zeolites is:

1. Synthetic zeolites are made from chemicals and natural ingredients which are then processed from the natural seed body.

2. Synthetic zeolites have a ratio of silica and alumina which is 1: 1 and on natural zeolites up to 5: 1

3. Natural zeolites are not separated in an acidic environment like synthetic zeolites

Thank you for reading our article. Keep in touch with Nusagri to get more information about zeolite. Nusagri.co.id is the pioneer in exploitation and processing of zeolite minerals in Indonesia used in Agricultural and multi sectors. Nusagri exported tons of zeolite for many countries including India and Malaysia. Please check our website and social media for further information about zeolite.

13th May 20202nd November 2022

Effect of Mixing Zeolites with Compost to Improve Soil Quality

Zeolites are known for their advantage on numerous aspect. They are utilized in numerous things incorporate restorative, car, and horticulture. In farming, characteristic zeolites have been utilized as feed added substance, water conditioner, soil conditioner, and in any event, for developing vehicle for hydroponics. Ranchers utilized zeolite in light of current circumstances. It could enable their plants to have more supplements or tie substantial metals that cause terrible impact on fish, or decreasing smelling salts creation from creature dung.

Advantage of normal zeolite in agribusiness have been referenced in our article previously. If you don’t mind check our article about Uses of Zeolite in Agriculture, and check our full articles at Nusagri’s Blog. In this article, we will examine about zeolite application in manure for plants. The conversation included properties of zeolite and how zeolite influence the development of plants.

Characteristic Zeolite joined well of lava ejection. Geochemists and mineralogists gauge that zeolites are the result of solidified volcanoes into volcanic rocks, sedimentary rocks and transformative rocks which in this manner experience enduring because of the impact of warmth and cold so zeolite minerals in the end shaped.

Compost has long been known as an organic fertilizer which is very important for soil fertility. Long before chemical fertilizers were used, farmers used food scraps mixed with manure as compost. The emergence of chemical fertilizers makes farmers reluctant to use compost because chemical fertilizers are far more practical and efficient. However, excessive use of chemical fertilizers without compost coupled with it turns out to have side effects reduce the ability of the soil to support plant growth. Soil tends to get harder and soil pH decreases. Improvements in technology for making chemical fertilizers also have a negative impact by reducing or even eliminating levels of micro elements that are important for plants.

The negative effects of chemical fertilizers have encouraged agricultural experts in developed countries to start advocating for the use of compost as a substitute for chemical fertilizers and contributors to organic matter in the soil. Compost contains more diverse types of nutrients including micro nutrients such as copper, iron, zinc, and manganese. The amount of soil organic matter continues to decrease due to the decomposition process. To maintain the amount in the soil it is necessary to add organic material from the outside, for example by the entry of fallen leaves into the soil. However, the process is very slow, especially on land that is used for intensive agriculture. So the addition of compost to agricultural land is an effective way to maintain soil organic matter content. Compost contains more diverse types of nutrients including micro nutrients such as copper, iron, zinc, and manganese.

The problem that arises from the use of compost is that the low content of nutrients causes the addition of compost as a source of nutrients requires very large amounts. To offset one kilogram of urea, for example, it takes about 20 kilograms of animal manure compost. That is also the availability of nitrogen isn’t as fast as urea fertilizer. In addition, the nitrogen in compost easily evaporates into the atmosphere causing a foul odor and leaching of nitrogen through rain water. More than half of the nitrogen contained in chicken manure is lost to the atmosphere if the composting process is carried out for more than 2 months in the open air.2 To improve nitrogen efficiency in animal manure, reducing nitrogen loss is an important effort both in terms of economic and environmental aspects. For the above purpose, zeolites which have the ability to absorb nitrogen are expected to reduce nitrogen loss while reducing foul odors.

12th May 20202nd November 2022

Processing Livestock Waste with Zeolite

Animal husbandry is an important aspect of our lives. Many of the products we consume daily come from animal husbandry, such as meat, eggs, wool, cheese, yogurt, and so on. Therefore, livestock business throughout the world will not be quenched. Farms are managed by farmers by raising livestock to be used as multipurpose products. Some of the most common livestock raised are cows, chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, and so on. Farming trends also vary by region, depending on what is consumed the most there.

The process of raising livestock in general is to meet the needs of animals such as feed and a comfortable environment. The aim is to make animals more productive. The more productive the livestock, the more profitable the breeder.

The process of raising livestock is also closely related to livestock waste. Livestock waste is all the remaining waste from livestock business activities, either in the form of liquid waste, solid waste, or in the form of gas. Solid waste is all waste in the form of solid or in a solid phase (cattle dung, dead cattle, or entrails from slaughtering herds). Liquid waste is all waste that is in the form of liquid or is in a liquid phase (urine, water washing equipment). Waste gas is all gas in the form of gas or is in the gas phase. The presence of pollutants in the water in an abnormal amount resulted in water being declared polluted. One cow weighing 400-500 kg can produce 27.7-30 kg / day of solid and liquid waste. Among these three types of livestock waste, liquid waste is the most widely produced waste and liquid waste from the livestock business activities is believed to still contain a lot of mineral substances that can be used by microalgae for their growth.

Zeolites are a group of minerals produced from hydrothermal processes in igneous rock. This mineral is usually found to fill gaps or fractures from the rock. In addition, zeolites are also deposits of volcanic activity that contain many silica elements. At present the use of zeolite minerals is increasing, from use in small industries to large scale industries. In developed countries such as the United States, zeolites are truly utilized in industry. Because of the properties possessed by zeolites, these minerals can be utilized in various fields, such as in the industrial sector, namely as materials that can be used to help treat factory waste. The problem of industrial waste is increasingly troubling the community, so many efforts have been made to overcome this waste pollution, either by reducing the volume of wasted waste or by recycling it again.

Zeolites have properties that are capable of exchanging cations, filter of fine-sized objects, absorbent of gas or liquid and as catalyst, can also prevent ammonia poisoning due to the use of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) material, and absorbent organic compounds. Zeolite has a high absorption which is useful as a catcher for various free chemical elements so as not to pollute or poison the environment, animals and humans. Zeolites in the field of animal husbandry used as food additives in chicken, pork and beef rations. Zeolites play a role in preventing and treating diseases of the digestive tract such as diarrhea, increasing body weight, improving feed conversion, reducing the highly pungent odor from impurities and preventing mold fungi during storage.

Zeolite can be used to obtain pure methane gas from waste in the form of rotting waste or waste from a farm. The dry methane gas is then flowed through tubes containing dried zeolite mineral powder, usually used is a type of kabasite or erionite zeolite, into the tube CO2 gas will be absorbed and bound by zeolite so that it will produce pure methane gas.

Utilization of zeolite to process cattle farm waste is by mixing it directly into cow dung. Zeolite will absorb cations and / or anions that cause odors that are in the dirt so it will not be easily separated. Zeolite is also able to agglomerate manure so that it can accelerate the process of ripening cow dung as organic fertilizer.

The types of zeolites suitable for animal husbandry applications are Clinoptilolite, Mordenite, and Khabazit. The three types of zeolites are alkaline zeolites (bases).

Thank you for reading this article. If you need zeolite supplier, please contact us. Nusagri have exported natural zeolite overseas. High quality zeolite from Nusagri can improve your plants productivity, clean your water, and keep your animals healthy. There are also many articles in our website. Please check our website for new articles.

11th May 20202nd November 2022

Zeolite Fertilizer for Palm Oil Plantation

The most oil palm plantation area has experienced fertility degradation, both physical, chemical or biological fertility. The Journal of Palm Oil Research points out that degradation of land fertility in addition to the high productivity factor of palm oil is also caused by the loss of fertilizer nutrients because it is dissolved through water infiltration, weather changes, no soil maintenance, does not improve soil aeration and the soil no longer contains micro elements. From research in Malaysia through a feasibility study on oil palm plantations using a mixture of fertilizers and zeolites, the best comparison is NPK: Zeolite = 3: 2. The results of the study also concluded that zeolites can save fertilizer and can increase yields.

Zeolites have the ability to preserve fertilizer. This capability means that it will save fertilizer costs, but keep in mind that zeolite is a companion ingredient for Urea, SP-36 and KCI fertilizers, not a substitute for the fertilizer. Zeolite is also used to reduce the level of pollution of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu2 +, Mn2 +, Ni2 + in the environment. Modification of zeolite as an anion adsorbent such as NO3-, Cl-, and SO4- has been developed through the process of zeolite-H calcination at 5500C.

Chemically the main zeolite content is: Si02 = 62.75%; Al 203 = 12.71%; K20 = 1.28%; CaO = 3.39%; Na2O = 1.29%; MnO = 5.58%; Fe203 = 2.01%; MgO = 0.85%; Clinoptilotite = 30%; Mordernit = 49%. While the KPK value is between 80-120 me / 100 gr, the value is high for assessing soil fertility. The KPK value will determine the ability of the material to store fertilizer given before it is absorbed by plants. Other research conducted by Winana, ES et al, entitled Improvement of Planting Medium and Growth Through Zeolite Applications, Zeolites are known to improve soil fertility, among others through increasing cation exchange capacity.

The zeolite application research was carried out on oil palm nurseries to determine its effect on the planting medium and growth and nutrient uptake of oil palm seedlings has been carried out in the nursery area of the Aek Pancur experimental garden using a completely randomized design. The medium used is Typic Paleudults soil, Typic Udipsamments, and Typic Hapludults. The zeolite application treatment consisted of 4 dosage levels namely 0, 50, 100, and 150 g / polybag. The results showed that the administration of zeolites into the soil was generally able to increase nutrient content in the soil and the soil cation exchange capacity.

The application of zeolite as a soil amendment agent in oil palm nurseries does not show a significant effect on the growth and uptake of seed nutrients until the age of 11 months. However, in general applications of zeolite up to a dose of 100 g / polybag tend to increase seedling growth and nutrient uptake compared to treatments without the application of zeolite, whereas applications with dosages up to 150 g / polybag tend to decrease nutrient growth and uptake.

The discovery of zeolites in the world began with the discovery of Stilbit in 1756 by a scientist named A. F. Constedt. Constedt illustrates the specificity of this mineral when under heating looks like boiling because the molecules lose water very quickly. In accordance with its nature, this mineral is named zeolite which comes from the word ‘zein’ which means boiling and ‘lithos’ which means rock. In 1784, Barthelemy Faujas de Saint, a French geology professor, discovered a beautiful formulation of his research on zeolites published in his book “Mineralogie des Volcans”.

Zeolites have been studied by mineral experts for more than 250 years. The following year is given the discovery of zeolite minerals. Since the early 1940s, Union Carbide scientists have begun their research to synthesize zeolites and they succeeded in synthesizing pure zeolites A and X in 1950, and after that many new zeolites were synthesized. Zeolite is a hydrated aluminosilicate compound that has a three-dimensional (3D) structure, microporous, and is a crystalline solid with the main content of silicon, aluminum, and oxygen and binds a certain number of water molecules in its pores.

Because of the unique nature of zeolites, zeolites are widely used for various applications in the industry including zeolites used in the petroleum industry as ‘cracking’, in the detergent industry as ion exchangers, hard water softeners and in the water purification industry, as well as various other applications.

Thank you for reading our article. Keep in touch with Nusagri to get more information about zeolite. Nusagri.co.id is the pioneer in exploitation and processing of zeolite minerals in Indonesia used in Agricultural and multi sectors. Nusagri exported tons of zeolite for many countries including India and Malaysia. Please check our website and social media for further information about zeolite.