Exploring the potential of zeolites as a soil amendment: A review

Abstract

Overuse of chemical fertilizers degrades agricultural ecosystems by causing ammonia to volatilize from the soil and nitrogen to be lost through leaching. Furthermore, decreased precipitation and rising summer temperatures due to climate change cause a drop in productivity as well as a scarcity of water in the soil. The study's goal is to highlight the unique qualities of natural zeolite and highlight its many uses in the agricultural industry. The cation required to balance the electrostatic charge between the silicon tetrahedral units and aluminium framework is part of the open, three-dimensional structure of these tectosilicate minerals. More than fifty natural zeolites have been identified by various research organizations, with the most well-known being chabazite, clinoptilolite, erionite, stilbite, heulandite, and mordenite. On the other hand, the most often utilized zeolite in agricultural applications is clinoptilolite. Zeolites are excellent resources that farmers can use to address a variety of problems, including nutrient loss, heavy metal contamination of the soil or water, and pollution of the soil. In order to enhance the chemical and physical characteristics of soil, such as cation exchange capacity (CEC), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), infiltration rate, and water-holding capacity (WHC), these naturally occurring crystalline aluminosilicates are thought of as soil conditioners. These substances have the ability to lessen soil ammonia volatilization and nitrate leaching. Zeolites are also widely recognized for their capacity to carry additional fertilizers and slow-release macro and micronutrients. Zeolites, on the other hand, immediately and sustainably enhance agricultural environments, suggesting that these materials have a place in agriculture.