[Gasification] Cadmium and other heavy metal toxicity

[LINVENT at aol.com]

>From the discussion relating to heavy metals and the ones listed as of 
concern, all are affected by soil pH, except for Mo, their availability declines 
with increasing pH. Mo is just the opposite and Cu is to some degree. However, Cu 
is necessary in high organic matter soils for microbes to consume and make 
use of the carbon, as are other elements. Application of lime (which typically 
contains Pb), will reduce all of the heavy metal effects upon the soil. This 
arises from two actions, one is pH increase and the other is that calcium will 
bind with all of the metals to render them unavailable to the plant, both in 
pure chemical terms and in dilution. 

Additionally, limestone releases CO2 which forms voids in the soil which 
reduces it's density and allows root propagation. The Ca allows roots to grow in 
vast volumes which increases the absorption area of the plant and allows for 
more efficient filtration of the toxic from non-toxic elements. Almost any toxic 
element will be taken up if a similar valence or molecular weight or 
reactivity element is missing. 

Aluminum is frequently taken up from the soil as a replacement for other 
elements, even at high pH which is not supposed to happen because Al is not 
available at below pH 4, but the root environ is in this pH range, regardless of the 
surrounding soil pH. Iron has a similar characteristic. Most US foodstuff has 
high Al and Fe due to the mismanagement of the soil and reliance on chemical 
stimulation of plant growth with nitrogen which has not only plant 
construction properties, but also plant stimulation effects, almost similar to some 
hormones. This is the reason most US food tastes like cardboard, has a short shelf 
life and the reason for genetic engineering, as the plants cannot fend off 
pests as a healthy plant would. 

There are plants which can absorb Pb, Ni, Co, and perhaps others. I have seen 
one plant which had 50% sodium in it's tissues.   Some have been specially 
raised, bred, hybridized for this purpose. One cabbage family plant was used 
successfully to deplete Ni contaminated soils at a major nickel procuer in 
Canada. Another one was used to soak up Pb from battery contaminated soils. Once the 
plants absorb the toxic compounds, they become a disposal problem. 
Gasification is an answer to this problem as the concentration of the toxic compounds in 
the ash reduces the volume and weight and makes them approach economic 
recovery. 

Latteritic soils in South American rain forests occur becuase the high rain 
leaches the cations Ca, Mg, K from the soil leaving aluminum which quickly 
binds forming a solid impermeable soil which cannot be used for farming or tree 
growing for years. This is easliy fixed. 

Toxicity can be defined as an imbalance. Plant nutrition is a very complex 
science and knowing how to deal with it makes it an invaluable asset. 



Sincerely,
Leland T. "Tom" Taylor
Leland T. "Tom" Taylor
President
Agronics Inc.
7100-E 2nd St. NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107
Phone:505-463-8422



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