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I am not an organic grower, I dont even use soil. :ignore:
That said, I am not sure of its use here, but here is a research project I did for a mineralogy class. I am cut and pasting from word 2003 so lets hope this works...
Nitrogen Bearing Minerals
Abstract
Nitrogen is the most common element on the earths surface today. It makes up almost 80 percent of the air we breathe. Nitrogen is released into the atmosphere when dead plants and animals decay. Nitrogen forms nitrates which are then used by plants for nutrition. There is no substitute for nitrogen in plant nutrition. It is a basic element of life for all plants and animals. Minerals that contain nitrogen are, somewhat, uncommon to find naturally. Most of these minerals easily dissolve in water and humid environments. Nitrates are most commonly found as efforfloresces on cave surfaces due to the bacterial action on bat guano and the rocks they come in contact with. Nitrogen containing compounds are used primarily for fertilizers for plants. Large battles have been fought by African tribes competing for these caves; along with the right to mine the nitrates for use in local farming.
Nitrogen Bearing Minerals
Introduction
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is more often found as the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere. Seventy-nine percent of the Earth’s atmosphere is composed of nitrogen. The other twenty percent is oxygen and less than one percent of other gases like water vapor, CO2, and argon. Nitrogen was discovered in 1772 by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford. Nitrogen occurs in all living things. It is a main ingredient in amino acids within the cell, is part of all neurotransmitters in all organisms, and is the main component of alkaloids; which are naturally occurring chemical compounds containing basic nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen as a gas is mostly non-reactive when added to chemical reactions. Nitrogen is not flammable; it is colorless, tasteless, and odorless (Shumann, 37). Nitrogen is a chemical element on the periodic that has the symbol N, atomic number 7, and atomic weight of 14.00674µ.(Wikipedia) Nitrogen is a nonmetal, with an electro negativity of 3.0. It has five electrons in its outer shell and trivalent in most compounds. The triple bond in molecular nitrogen (N2) is one of the strongest in nature. This makes converting nitrogen (N2) into other compounds very difficult and converting nitrogen compounds into elemental (N2) quite easy. At standard temperature pressure molecular nitrogen freezes at -210 Celsius into a hexagonal close packed system. Below -238 Celsius it assumes a cubic crystal form. Unstable allotropic forms of molecular nitrogen, like (N3) and (N4), that consist of two or more nitrogen atoms have been produced in the laboratory under extremely high pressures and temperatures. The result is a singularly bonded diamond crystal structure deemed “nitrogen diamond.”(mindat.org)
Nitrogen Cycle:
Nitrogen is released into the atmosphere when dead plants and animals decay. In order for some plants to use nitrogen it first must be processed (fixated) by free living symbiotic bacteria. Plants can absorb nitrate or ammonium ions from the bacteria in the soil via their root hairs; or, like most organisms, consume it directly as amino acids, nucleotides, and other small organic molecules. If nitrate is absorbed, it is first reduced to nitrite ions and then ammonium ions for re-use in amino acids, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll. When these organisms die and decay they release nitrogen back into the atmosphere via ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, and anerobic ammonium oxidation (within the oceans). Nitrogen is also released into the atmosphere through volcanic eruptions. Hot volcanic vents convert nitrogen through thermal fixation of atmospheric N2 into biologically useable forms. The importance of this process for the global nitrogen cycle is small in comparison to the nitrogen produced by organisms; yet, still greatly important precursor to the evolution of the flora and fauna that inhabit the earth today. There is no substitute for nitrogen in plant nutrition. It is a basic element of life for plants and animals. Nitrates and nitrate bearing minerals are not often found due to the general ease of dissolving them in water (Boethe, 187).
Discussion
Nitrogen Bearing Minerals:
Nitrates are similar to carbonates. The nitrogen is surrounded by three oxygens and forms a tight flat triangular NO3 ion group just like the carbonate triangular CO3 ion group. Thus nitrates are placed in the carbonate class of minerals. (webmineral.com)
Niter
Niter is also known as the mineral form of potassium nitrate (KNO3), or saltpeter. It has been used since ancient times when the Hebrews referred to it as neter where it was derived from vegetable ashes to be used as soap (wiki.com). Niter is a colorless to white mineral that crystallizes in the orthorhombic dipyramidal crystal system. It is usually found in underground caverns as growths on the walls and ceilings where solutions containing potassium and nitrate seep into cracks to condense and crystallize into niter (Schumann). It is common to find niter as individual (often) twinned crystals and also in large crystal groups. Environments that niter can form in will vary simply due to concentration of its constituents in the surrounding area – although it is most common to form in arid dry places because high humidity will inhibit growth and actually dissolve the crystals. Niter has a hardness of 2, density of 2.1, vitreous luster, white streak, good to very good cleavage, is transparent to translucent, fracture is uneven, gives a violet flame-test, and readily dissolves in water. Niter is used today to preserve foods, make powdered incense burn slower and evenly, and as an ingredient in Gunpowder (which is saltpeter, charcoal, and sulphur.) It also has a reputation for diminishing the male sex drive when ingested, although this is not backed by scientific evidence (wiki.com).
Nitrammite (Gwihabaite)
Gwihabaite is a rare ammonium potassium nitrate mineral (NH4,K)(NO3). It occurs only in Gewihaba Cave (also known as Drotsky's Cave), north-east of Botswana, 174 miles west of Maun, South Africa (mindat.org). It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, is colorless to white , has a vitreous luster, a hardness of 5, no cleavage directions, a white streak, and has a specific gravity of 1.77. It tends to melt at lower temperatures and is soluble in water. It usually occurs as incrustations and efflorescence on cave surfaces formed by bacterial action on bat guano (Schumann, 137).
Nitratine
Nitratine, also known as cubic niter or soda niter, is a naturally occurring form of sodium nitrate, NaNO3. Nitratine crystallizes in the trigonal/hexagonal system and closely resembles calcite. It rarely occurs as well formed crystals. The typical form is a white, grey to yellowish brown coating. It has a waxy surface and is light colored with a hardness of 1.5 to 2, specific gravity of 2.24 to 2.29, has perfect cleavage, is transparent, streaks white, and has a vitreous luster. Crystal are rare and when found typically have the scalenohedral form, again, like the calcite structure. It is found only as an efflorescence in very dry-arid environments. It is very soluble in water and will absorb vapor out of the air and turn into a puddle of sodium nitrate solution when exposed to humidity. It is usually found as lingering water-soluble surface deposits in extremely arid deserts. Nitrates also occur in clay rich caliche deposits that are replenished by occasional desert thunderstorms. These thunderstorms can fix Nitrogen (N2) from the air at lightning strikes. Lightning in an electrical storm can create enough energy to cause some oxygen and nitrogen to combine to form various nitrogen oxides. Subsequently, these combine with water to form nitric acid. This is carried to the soil with rain (Boethe, 193)
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That said, I am not sure of its use here, but here is a research project I did for a mineralogy class. I am cut and pasting from word 2003 so lets hope this works...
Nitrogen Bearing Minerals
Abstract
Nitrogen is the most common element on the earths surface today. It makes up almost 80 percent of the air we breathe. Nitrogen is released into the atmosphere when dead plants and animals decay. Nitrogen forms nitrates which are then used by plants for nutrition. There is no substitute for nitrogen in plant nutrition. It is a basic element of life for all plants and animals. Minerals that contain nitrogen are, somewhat, uncommon to find naturally. Most of these minerals easily dissolve in water and humid environments. Nitrates are most commonly found as efforfloresces on cave surfaces due to the bacterial action on bat guano and the rocks they come in contact with. Nitrogen containing compounds are used primarily for fertilizers for plants. Large battles have been fought by African tribes competing for these caves; along with the right to mine the nitrates for use in local farming.
Nitrogen Bearing Minerals
Introduction
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is more often found as the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere. Seventy-nine percent of the Earth’s atmosphere is composed of nitrogen. The other twenty percent is oxygen and less than one percent of other gases like water vapor, CO2, and argon. Nitrogen was discovered in 1772 by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford. Nitrogen occurs in all living things. It is a main ingredient in amino acids within the cell, is part of all neurotransmitters in all organisms, and is the main component of alkaloids; which are naturally occurring chemical compounds containing basic nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen as a gas is mostly non-reactive when added to chemical reactions. Nitrogen is not flammable; it is colorless, tasteless, and odorless (Shumann, 37). Nitrogen is a chemical element on the periodic that has the symbol N, atomic number 7, and atomic weight of 14.00674µ.(Wikipedia) Nitrogen is a nonmetal, with an electro negativity of 3.0. It has five electrons in its outer shell and trivalent in most compounds. The triple bond in molecular nitrogen (N2) is one of the strongest in nature. This makes converting nitrogen (N2) into other compounds very difficult and converting nitrogen compounds into elemental (N2) quite easy. At standard temperature pressure molecular nitrogen freezes at -210 Celsius into a hexagonal close packed system. Below -238 Celsius it assumes a cubic crystal form. Unstable allotropic forms of molecular nitrogen, like (N3) and (N4), that consist of two or more nitrogen atoms have been produced in the laboratory under extremely high pressures and temperatures. The result is a singularly bonded diamond crystal structure deemed “nitrogen diamond.”(mindat.org)
Nitrogen Cycle:
Nitrogen is released into the atmosphere when dead plants and animals decay. In order for some plants to use nitrogen it first must be processed (fixated) by free living symbiotic bacteria. Plants can absorb nitrate or ammonium ions from the bacteria in the soil via their root hairs; or, like most organisms, consume it directly as amino acids, nucleotides, and other small organic molecules. If nitrate is absorbed, it is first reduced to nitrite ions and then ammonium ions for re-use in amino acids, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll. When these organisms die and decay they release nitrogen back into the atmosphere via ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, and anerobic ammonium oxidation (within the oceans). Nitrogen is also released into the atmosphere through volcanic eruptions. Hot volcanic vents convert nitrogen through thermal fixation of atmospheric N2 into biologically useable forms. The importance of this process for the global nitrogen cycle is small in comparison to the nitrogen produced by organisms; yet, still greatly important precursor to the evolution of the flora and fauna that inhabit the earth today. There is no substitute for nitrogen in plant nutrition. It is a basic element of life for plants and animals. Nitrates and nitrate bearing minerals are not often found due to the general ease of dissolving them in water (Boethe, 187).
Discussion
Nitrogen Bearing Minerals:
Nitrates are similar to carbonates. The nitrogen is surrounded by three oxygens and forms a tight flat triangular NO3 ion group just like the carbonate triangular CO3 ion group. Thus nitrates are placed in the carbonate class of minerals. (webmineral.com)
Niter
Niter is also known as the mineral form of potassium nitrate (KNO3), or saltpeter. It has been used since ancient times when the Hebrews referred to it as neter where it was derived from vegetable ashes to be used as soap (wiki.com). Niter is a colorless to white mineral that crystallizes in the orthorhombic dipyramidal crystal system. It is usually found in underground caverns as growths on the walls and ceilings where solutions containing potassium and nitrate seep into cracks to condense and crystallize into niter (Schumann). It is common to find niter as individual (often) twinned crystals and also in large crystal groups. Environments that niter can form in will vary simply due to concentration of its constituents in the surrounding area – although it is most common to form in arid dry places because high humidity will inhibit growth and actually dissolve the crystals. Niter has a hardness of 2, density of 2.1, vitreous luster, white streak, good to very good cleavage, is transparent to translucent, fracture is uneven, gives a violet flame-test, and readily dissolves in water. Niter is used today to preserve foods, make powdered incense burn slower and evenly, and as an ingredient in Gunpowder (which is saltpeter, charcoal, and sulphur.) It also has a reputation for diminishing the male sex drive when ingested, although this is not backed by scientific evidence (wiki.com).
Nitrammite (Gwihabaite)
Gwihabaite is a rare ammonium potassium nitrate mineral (NH4,K)(NO3). It occurs only in Gewihaba Cave (also known as Drotsky's Cave), north-east of Botswana, 174 miles west of Maun, South Africa (mindat.org). It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, is colorless to white , has a vitreous luster, a hardness of 5, no cleavage directions, a white streak, and has a specific gravity of 1.77. It tends to melt at lower temperatures and is soluble in water. It usually occurs as incrustations and efflorescence on cave surfaces formed by bacterial action on bat guano (Schumann, 137).
Nitratine
Nitratine, also known as cubic niter or soda niter, is a naturally occurring form of sodium nitrate, NaNO3. Nitratine crystallizes in the trigonal/hexagonal system and closely resembles calcite. It rarely occurs as well formed crystals. The typical form is a white, grey to yellowish brown coating. It has a waxy surface and is light colored with a hardness of 1.5 to 2, specific gravity of 2.24 to 2.29, has perfect cleavage, is transparent, streaks white, and has a vitreous luster. Crystal are rare and when found typically have the scalenohedral form, again, like the calcite structure. It is found only as an efflorescence in very dry-arid environments. It is very soluble in water and will absorb vapor out of the air and turn into a puddle of sodium nitrate solution when exposed to humidity. It is usually found as lingering water-soluble surface deposits in extremely arid deserts. Nitrates also occur in clay rich caliche deposits that are replenished by occasional desert thunderstorms. These thunderstorms can fix Nitrogen (N2) from the air at lightning strikes. Lightning in an electrical storm can create enough energy to cause some oxygen and nitrogen to combine to form various nitrogen oxides. Subsequently, these combine with water to form nitric acid. This is carried to the soil with rain (Boethe, 193)
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