By: Ann Leslie Davis

Ann Leslie Davis — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 19:30:46 +0000

The question of possible contaminants is critical and has been looked at by major research institutions in the United States and Europe.
Firstly, there’s a key difference between basalt mine tailings and mine tailings from highly polluting industries like iron, copper, or precious metal mines. Those tailings are the waste product of chemical processes that extract a tiny amount of metal from the surrounding ore. They and the associated chemicals are indeed toxic. Basalt mining involves cutting or blasting the rock from the ground. The “tailings” are leftover pieces of basalt that are too small to be used for other purposes.
Research over the past decade has focused on whether substances within volcanic rock itself might pose a threat when the rock is crushed and spread. Soils are living systems and can be negatively affected by adding external elements. The acidification of soils by nitrogen fertilizer is an example of this.
The most significant concern in using rock dust is that the process could leach heavy metals like nickel, copper, manganese, and aluminum into the soil and pose a hazard to plants or the people who eat them. [A secondary concern is occupational exposure to airborne rock dust through field application.] Some research studies have shown that heavy metal soil concentrations may increase above accepted limits with repeated (multi-year) applications. In contrast, other studies show levels remaining below U.S. and European regulatory limits despite repeated use.
A crucial question is what happens to these metals when they enter the soil ecosystem. Research continues, but one 2023 report by the Environmental Protection Agency states that most heavy metals – including nickel, copper, manganese, and aluminum – remain primarily insoluble in soils and, therefore, non-toxic. An independent study showed that plants grown on fields treated with high rock dust levels do not have increased uptake of heavy metals.
Enhanced rock weathering is a new strategy to address climate change and, as such, requires close monitoring and evaluation to ensure public and environmental safety. Many questions remain. ERW companies, the firms that grant them carbon credits, and the larger research community are involved in continual testing and research. Their goal is to develop industry standards for different rock and soil types that provide optimal benefit to depleted agricultural soils while ensuring safety from potential contaminants.

By: Denis Kinsella

Denis Kinsella — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 06:00:28 +0000

what is the heavy metal analysis of the crusher dust
You must be Jo King

By: Courtney

Courtney — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:48:44 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth Wikfors. Yes, the source really matters here. Is it fresh lava flow, or is it mine leftovers? Are there heavy metals tests along with the pH tests?

By: Elizabeth Wikfors

Elizabeth Wikfors — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 22:11:55 +0000

Everybody KNOWS how clean mine tailings are – – Dontcha think that’s why the mine companies cant wait to give the stuff away. And everybody KNOWS dilution is the solution to pollution. Dontcha thinks that’s why the mine companies are so willing to truck that filth all over creation so they won’t have to clean it up! Nobody will be able to clean it up, ever. Modern Farmer, you should be ashamed of yourself for spreading such filth! (pun acknowledged)

By: Otis R. Needleman

Otis R. Needleman — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 17:03:09 +0000

Sounds good, hope it works.

By: RonG

RonG — Sun, 01 Oct 2023 16:13:33 +0000