Potential Soil Remineralizers from Silicate Rock Powders (SRP) as Alternative Sources of Nutrients for Agricultural Production (Amazon Region)

Abstract

The demand for mineral fertilizers has increased over the years. In the states of Amazonas and Roraima, acquiring conventional fertilizers used in agriculture is challenging due to the distance from large production centers. In these regions, alternative fertilizers are needed to maintain food security. However, research in agrominerals of silicate rock powders (SRP) is still incipient. The objective of this research was to characterize three important Units of Agrogeological Interest in the Manaus/Boa Vista axis in the Amazon region of Brazil: (i) EBAM Quarry: quartz monzonites from the Água Branca suite, partially potassified, (ii) Granada Mining Quarry: basalts from the Apoteri formation, and (iii) Samauma Quarry: riolites from the Iricoumé Group. Samplings were carried out followed by chemical analyses for determining macro and micronutrients, in addition to potentially toxic elements; petrographic analyses were performed for mineralogical characterization as well as granulometric analyses of the powders collected in the quarries. The results showed that the EBAM quarry rock powder meets the standards established by Brazilian legislation. It also has low levels of potentially toxic elements and only 15% quartz, indicating good safety in the use of this SRP, in addition to the large supply of the material already crushed, for which there is still no market. At the Granada Mineração quarry, SRP also has the necessary characteristics to classify as a soil remineralizer, including K2O content above 1%. At Pedreira Samauma, although SRP does not qualify as an agromineral, it has more than 5% K2O and 77% aphanitic matrix, which could result in a more accessible release of abundant K and Si to the soil–plant system. Using laser granulometry analysis, it was possible to make some considerations about the effects of the crushing process in such different lithotypes and, finally, to characterize and classify the prospects of greatest interest for “rochagem” in the Amazon.