| Chemical Analysis of ecoplus | |||||||||||||||
|
pH |
N% |
P% |
K% |
Ca% |
Mg% |
Na% |
Cl% |
S% |
Cu |
Fe |
Mn |
Zn |
B |
Mo |
ecoplus |
12,0 |
1,9 |
0,5 |
0,2 |
21,2 |
0,6 |
0,1 |
0,02 |
0,32 |
130,0 |
4500 |
367 |
387 |
50 |
2,2 |
C-B |
6,5 |
3,0 |
0,8 |
0,3 |
10,1 |
0,3 |
0,1 |
0,01 |
0,20 |
75,0 |
2900 |
148 |
298 |
45 |
1,6 |
(C-B = Composted ecoplus)
ecoplus contains all of the macro and micro elements (nutrients) necessary to support life in soil. These nutrients support micro-organisms (found in ecoplus) and provide the basis for them to further grow and multiply in an otherwise sterile environment. These micro-organisms in turn then metabolize hydrocarbons.
These same nutrients (ecoplus is classified as a group 2 fertilizer) will also support plant growth in the affected area.
Plant Nutrient Requirements and the Effects of these Elements on Plant Growth
| Macro Elements (nutrients) |
| Plants need the following nutrients in large quantities: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Sulphur. |
| Nitrogen |
| Nitrogen contributes toward the vegetative organs (leaves and stems) of the plant. A Nitrogen deficiency in hardy plants will be evidenced by woody stems with thin leaves, with a general pale colour of foliage. |
| Phosphorus |
| Although Phosphorus is used in much smaller quantities than Nitrogen, its presence is also needed continuously. Phosphorus is important for early root growth, but also has a profound effect on vegetative growth. |
| Potassium |
| Plants need Potassium, which is mobile in the plant. It is essential for normal growth. As a nutrient with a positive charge, it plays a major role in balancing the charges. Potassium also activates several enzymes and controls transpiration. |
| Calcium |
| Calcium moves in the xylem along with water and in its absence no translocation occurs from older to the younger leaves. As a result when the supply of calcium is low, symptoms first appear at the top of the plant. Calcium is if great importance to the structure and stability of cell membranes and to rigidity of cell walls. The high concentration of calcium incorporated in ecoplus also acts to break up soil clogging after contamination with oil which enlarges the relative surface area for access by micro-organisms. |
| Magnesium |
| A Magnesium deficiency manifests itself as brown spots on leaves. |
| Sulphur |
| Although this element is rarely deficient, pollution causes the encapsulation of sulphur and other nutrients, which has to be replaced for utilization by plants. |
| Micro Elements (nutrients) |
| Plants need the following nutrients in small quantities: Iron, Manganese, Copper, Boron, Zinc, Molybdenum, Chlorine and Sodium. |
| Iron |
| Iron is essential for chlorophyll synthesis. Iron is immobile in the plant. |
| Manganese |
| Plants need manganese to activate several enzymes. The most important of these promotes photosynthesis and the production of plant hormones. Without manganese hydrogen peroxide accumulates in the cell causing damage. |
| Copper |
| Several enzymes with diverse properties and functions depend on copper, including those involved in photosynthesis and respiration. |
| Boron |
| This element is essential for some processes of cell division and differentiation in growing points. |
| Zinc |
| Several enzymes present in plants contain Zinc. Zinc, when deficient, has a negative effect on photosynthesis. |
| Molybdenum |
| Molybdenum is involved in many enzymes and is closely linked with Nitrogen metabolism. It behaves like phosphate. |
| Chlorine |
| Chlorine is the latest addition to the list of elements considered for plant growth. |
| Sodium |
| Sodium may not be essential for plant growth, but many plants clearly benefit from sodium when Potassium is deficient. Sodium may be substituted for potassium in certain instances. |
When soil is contaminated by a hydrocarbon or chemical spill all elements in the soil must be replaced in order for any vegetation to be able to grow.
