Development of zeolites for application in sandy soils to inhibit nitrogen fertiliser leaching and to deliver micronutrients

Overview

Topic status: In progress

Overview

The Great Barrier Reef is under threat from two main sources; global warming and excess nutrient contamination. Ammonia nutrients are proposed to arise mainly from large scale agricultural practices involving the use of nitrogen based fertilisers. It has been discovered that synthetic zeolite materials when mixed with sandy soils can inhibit leaching of ammonium species into groundwater. Micronutrients such as copper, manganese, iron, silica and zinc are very important to plant growth. However, at present the delivery method is rather crude and not by any means optimal. For instance, common practice is to simply fertilise crops once per year with the relevant metal salt or oxide. Consequently, it is normally found that after the first few months of application no micronutrients are available for plant uptake. This project will focus on the understanding of the exchange properties of novel zeolites developed by NanoChem Pty Ltd, a Sydney based technology company.

Research activities

This project will involve synthesis, characterisation and testing of novel zeolites and optimisation of performance in relation to capturing ammonium species and delivery of various micronutrients. These materials will then be characterised and the performance evaluated. Students working on this project will coordinate tests with Incitec Pivot group and NanoChem Pty Ltd.

Expected outcomes

The project objectives are to:

  • ion exchange zeolite N with ammonium and various metal ions
  • characterise zeolite N in all its ion exchanged forms and calculate ion exchange capacity
  • test exchanged zeolites for their ability to deliver micro-nutrients
  • demonstrate zeolite N can inhibit leaching of soluble nitrogen based fertilisers

Duration of project

Up to 8 weeks; specific times can be tailored to the individual needs of the student (generally between the hours of 9am and 5pm) within the general time period mid-November 2011 to mid-February 2012.

Study level
Vacation research experience scholarship
Supervisors
QUT
Organisational unit

Science and Engineering Faculty

Research area

Chemistry

Contact
Please contact a supervisor for enquiries.