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#1 2024-02-29 20:49:29

Void
Member
Registered: 2011-12-29
Posts: 7,141

Soil for Plants

I thought for sure we already had this topic.  My search did not turn it up.

If there is one the let's move this material to it.

I posted this today: https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 60#p219860
Quote:

This is a good one: https://phys.org/news/2024-02-field-tri … e_vignette
Quote:

Field trials reveal crushed rock boosts carbon removal and improves crop yields
by University of Sheffield

I would add Carbon from Pyrolysis to this, and it might create good soil.

For Mars, it might be that materials from the sand dunes might work OK.  That and perhaps Pyrolysis Carbon.


Done

(th) posted this: https://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.ph … 61#p219861
Quote:

tahanson43206
Moderator
Registered: 2018-04-27
Posts: 16,457
Email
For Void re #48

So far, SpaceNut has not endorsed the idea of awarding an entire index level to an individual member.

That would be a gigantic leap from current policy, so I can understand the hesitation.

However, your most recent post about a careful, painstaking scientific study of how the introduction of powdered rock to a test farm reminded me that Agriculture might deserve an Index level forum of it's own.

As a reminder, the "soil" of Mars may contain a significant percentage of chlorine.  A plot of Mars soil you are tending might respond if you add carbon, as you suggested you might do in your post.  I am hoping you will have time to consider these side issues as you explore many topics.

(th)


Well, I am no expert but have read a few things.

I believe that on Earth Sea Sand is suitable for concrete, but desert sand is not.  That is because the wind-blown sand is round.  The basalt sand of Mars may be round as well for similar reasons.  Not sure of it at this time.  But that could be good for soils as the roots might not be cut by sharp regolith.

My guess is that to treat the sand, you might first do a magnetic separation if you want to get a greater iron content to use to make iron products.  But the remainder could go into soil.

But first you might wash it with distilled water, perhaps 3 times.

Then adding Carbon to it, and some microbes and an incubation process may rid it of any traces of perchlorates.  in this case though perhaps the Carbon needs to be in a form the microbes can consume.  Carbon from Pyrolysis may be hard for the microbes to consume.

Actually, a sugar may be in a form of Carbon compound the microbes can use.

Here is a process that seems to use washing and glucose and microbes.  (Needs some other nutrients that might come out of the sand dune grains, perhaps): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/a … 3520301399

The addition of biochar, may help as well as mentioned in this article: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2023/12/ … t-biochar/

In addition, I would expect that the addition of some materials from organic waste, processed would. help.

That is about what I have.

As I have said, if a topic does already exist, then let's move this post there and delete this topic.

Done

Last edited by Void (2024-02-29 21:09:29)


Done.

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#2 2024-02-29 21:30:54

tahanson43206
Moderator
Registered: 2018-04-27
Posts: 17,298

Re: Soil for Plants

This post is reserved for an index to posts NewMars members may contribute over time.

The topic title is simple and to the point.  If there is another similar topic title in Life Support Systems, the two can co-exist.

The chlorine in soil on Mars must be removed. 

If a NewMars member is able to contribute a post to show how to do that, it should be of interest to future readers.

(th)

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#3 2024-02-29 21:33:16

tahanson43206
Moderator
Registered: 2018-04-27
Posts: 17,298

Re: Soil for Plants

I asked Google for help... It found more citations than I was expecting ....

Several technologies can remove perchlorate, via treatments ex situ and in situ. Ex situ treatments include ion exchange using perchlorate-selective or nitrite-specific resins, bioremediation using packed-bed or fluidized-bed bioreactors, and membrane technologies via electrodialysis and reverse osmosis.Feb 20, 2019

Removing perchlorate from Mars surface soil

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Apr 28, 2022 — Treat the soil: Perchlorates can be removed from the soil by simple bacterial reduction, so if martian soil is brought in say for a green house ...
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Jun 4, 2021 — A team created a catalyst from molybdenum fertilizer that reduces more than 99.9 percent of perchlorate in water and could be used to clean soil ...

perchlorate on mars – overview and implications.

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by AF Davila · 2013 · Cited by 147 — Perchlorate (ClO4−) is widespread in Martian soils at concentrations between 0.5 and 1%. At such concentrations, perchlorate could be an ...

(th)

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#4 2024-03-01 06:40:44

Mars_B4_Moon
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Registered: 2006-03-23
Posts: 9,305

Re: Soil for Plants

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