Mineral complex, compositions thereof, and methods of using the same

Abstract

The invention provides inter alia a mineral complex comprising about 40 wt. % to about 60 wt. % SiO 2 , about 6 wt. % to about 16 wt. % Fe 2 O 3 , about 4 wt. % to about 12 wt. %. CaO, about 2 wt. % to about 8 wt. % MgO, wherein at least 85% of the mineral complex has a particle size of about 10 to about 6000 mesh, related compositions and methods for their use, including for growth medium augmentation and remediation.

1 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . A process for augmenting soil comprising applying onto the soil a composition comprising a mineral complex consisting essentially of a natural volcanic mineral deposit comprising 47 wt. % to about 54 wt. % SiO 2 , about 9 wt. % to about 15 wt. % Fe 2 O 3 , about 6 wt. % to about 10 wt. % CaO, about 4 wt. % to about 7 wt. % MgO, about 12 wt. % to about 15 wt. % Al 2 O 3 , about 1 wt. % to about 4 wt. % Na 2 O, about 0.01 wt. % to about 3 wt. % K 2 O, about 0.01 wt. % to about 0.03 wt. % Cr 2 O 3 , about 1.0 wt. % to about 2.0 wt. % TiO 2 , about 0.1 wt. % to about 0.3 wt. % MnO, about 0.1 wt. % to about 0.3 wt. % P 2 O 5 , about 0.01 wt. % to about 0.05 wt. % SrO, and about 0.01 wt. % to about 2 wt. % BaO, and wherein the mineral complex further comprises one or more of Ag, Ba, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Hf, Mo, Nb, Ni, Rb, Sn, Sr, Ta, Th, Tl, V, W, Zn, and Zr in the ranges set forth in Table 1 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                   TABLE 1 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   Range (ppm based on total 
                 
                     
                   Element 
                   weight of mineral complex) 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   Ag 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 10 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Ba 
                   about 1 ppm to about 500 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Co 
                   about 0.01 ppm to about 200 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Cr 
                   about 1 ppm to about 400 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Cs 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 50 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Cu 
                   about 1 ppm to about 400 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Ga 
                   about 0.001 ppm to about 200 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Hf 
                   about 0.001 ppm to about 50 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Mo 
                   about 0.001 ppm to about 25 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Nb 
                   about 0.001 ppm to about 100 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Ni 
                   about 1 ppm to about 400 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Rb 
                   about 1 ppm to about 400 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Sn 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 15 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Sr 
                   about 1 ppm to about 600 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Ta 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 10 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Th 
                   about 0.001 ppm to about 200 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Tl 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 25 ppm 
                 
                     
                   V 
                   about 1 ppm to about 600 ppm 
                 
                     
                   W 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 25 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Zn 
                   about 1 ppm to about 400 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Zr 
                   about 1 ppm to about 400 ppm 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
         and one or more of Bi, Hg, Se, and Te in the ranges set forth in Table 2 
       
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                   TABLE 2 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                     
                   Range (ppm based on total 
                 
                     
                   Element 
                   weight of mineral complex) 
                 
                     
                     
                 
                     
                   Bi 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 4 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Hg 
                   about 0.00001 ppm to about 0.5 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Se 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 4 ppm 
                 
                     
                   Te 
                   about 0.0001 ppm to about 2 ppm 
                 
                     
                     
                 
             
                
                
                
                
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
         wherein, in the mineral complex, As is present in an amount less than 5 ppm, Sb is present in an amount less than 2 ppm, Pb is present in an amount of 5.15 ppm or less, and U is present in an amount of 1.31 ppm or less, and 
         wherein the composition is applied onto the soil in an amount sufficient to provide for application of mineral complex thereto in an amount ranging from about 200 lbs per acre to about 10,000 lbs per acre. 
       
     
     
         45 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein the composition is applied onto the soil in an amount sufficient to provide for application of mineral complex thereto in an amount ranging from about 200 lbs per acre to about 3,000 lbs per acre. 
     
     
         46 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein the composition further comprises a binder. 
     
     
         47 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein the composition further comprises a fertilizing agent. 
     
     
         48 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein the composition further comprises mulch. 
     
     
         49 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein the composition further comprises water. 
     
     
         50 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein at least about 85% of the mineral complex has an average particle size from about 10 to about 6000 mesh. 
     
     
         51 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein the soil is sand, silt, clay, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         52 . The process of  claim 44 , wherein the composition is applied onto the soil by spraying. 
     
     
         53 . The process of  claim 49 , wherein the composition is applied onto the soil by spraying. 
     
     
         54 . The process of  claim 50 , wherein at least about 85% of the mineral complex has an average particle size from about 200 to about 400 mesh.