Microfluidic Leaching of Soil Minerals: Release of K+ from K Feldspar.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 26485160.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0139979 and PMC identifier 4613825.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The rate of K+ leaching from soil minerals such as K-feldspar is believed to be too slow to provide agronomic benefit. Currently, theories and methods available to interpret kinetics of mineral processes in soil fail to consider its microfluidic nature. In this study, we measure the leaching rate of K+ ions from a K-feldspar-bearing rock (syenite) in a microfluidic environment, and demonstrate that at the spatial and temporal scales experienced by crop roots, K+ is available at a faster rate than that measured with conventional apparatuses. We present a device to investigate kinetics of mineral leaching at an unprecedented simultaneous resolution of space (~101-102 μm), time (~101-102 min) and fluid volume (~100-101 mL). Results obtained from such a device challenge the notion that silicate minerals cannot be used as alternative fertilizers for tropical soils.
Medical subject headings
- Agriculture
- Aluminum Silicates
- Fertilizers
- Plant Roots
- Potassium Compounds
- Soil