scholarly journals The Potential for Lunar and Martian Regolith Simulants to Sustain Plant Growth: A Multidisciplinary Overview

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Giuseppe Duri ◽  
Antonio Giandonato Caporale ◽  
Youssef Rouphael ◽  
Simona Vingiani ◽  
Mario Palladino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Martian Regolith

Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) are conceived of and developed so as to provide food sources for crewed missions to the Moon or Mars. The in situ resource utilization (ISRU) approach aims to reduce terrestrial input into a BLSS by using native regoliths and recycled organic waste as primary resources. The combination of BLSS and ISRU may allow sustainable food production on Moon and Mars. This task poses several challenges, including the effects of partial gravity, the limited availability of oxygen and water, and the self-sustaining management of resources. Lunar and Martian regoliths are not available on Earth; therefore, space research studies are conducted on regolith simulants that replicate the physicochemical properties of extra-terrestrial regoliths (as assessed in situ by previous missions). This review provides an overview of the physicochemical properties and mineralogical composition of commercially available Lunar and Martian regolith simulants. Subsequently, it describes potential strategies and sustainable practices for creating regolith simulants akin to terrestrial soil, which is a highly dynamic environment where microbiota and humified organic matter interact with the mineral moiety. These strategies include the amendment of simulants with composted organic wastes, which can turn nutrient-poor and alkaline crushed rocks into efficient life-sustaining substrates equipped with enhanced physical, hydraulic, and chemical properties. In this regard, we provide a comprehensive analysis of recent scientific works focusing on the exploitation of regolith simulant-based substrates as plant growth media. The literature discussion helps identify the main critical aspects and future challenges related to sustainable space farming by the in situ use and enhancement of Lunar and Martian resources.

In situ amelioration of sodic minespoil with chemical amendments and crop management. I. Soil chemical properties

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Sansom ◽  
M. A. Naeth ◽  
D. S. Chanasyk ◽  
J. C. Bateman
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
Depth Interval ◽  
Chemical Parameters ◽  
Ameliorative Effect ◽  
Soil Chemical Parameters

Sodic minespoils, which often have undesirable properties that limit plant growth, may be ameliorated by chemical amendments. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of sulfur and gypsum amendments in conjunction with crop management (summerfallow/barley rotation and continuous forage) in reducing the sodicity of a calcareous, sodic, sandy loam minespoil at the Highvale coal mine, west of Edmonton, Alberta. Amendments were added in chemically equivalent amounts to theoretically ameliorate the uppermost 35 cm of the spoil. Topsoil (20 cm) overlay both the amended and unamended spoil. Soil chemical parameters were measured to determine amendment effectiveness in an upper amended (20–35 cm depth interval from the surface), a lower amended (40–55 cm) and an upper unamended layer (55–70 cm), all within minespoil.Both sulfur and gypsum effectively reduced minespoil sodicity. The ameliorative effect on SAR occurred within 3 mo with gypsum amendment, but was slower with sulfur. Both amendments significantly lowered Sat% and pH but significantly elevated concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+and SO42− in the upper amended layer of the minespoil. Crop management had no significant effect on SAR; however, solute concentrations were lower at all depths under fallow/barley than under continuous forage treatments. Key words: Reclamation, sodicity, sulfur, gypsum, amelioration

scholarly journals Addition of recyclable biochar, compost and fibre clay to the growth medium layer for the cover system of mine tailings: a bioassay in a greenhouse

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Heiskanen ◽  
Marleena Hagner ◽  
Hanna Ruhanen ◽  
Kari Mäkitalo
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Growth Medium ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Medium Layer ◽  
Cover Systems

Abstract Mine closures require landscape reclamation to reduce the environmental risks of tailings fields. However, information about the feasibility of recyclable waste materials as a growth medium layer for the cover systems of mine tailings and their effects on vegetation restoration and reforestation success is scant especially in the boreal climate. This study examines the use of various recyclable by-products in improving vegetation success on reclaimed mine tailings. The physical and chemical properties of two wood biochar types, fibre clay, compost, tailings soil and forest till soil as well as their effects as growth media on the growth of several plant species during one growing period in a greenhouse were examined. Marked differences in the properties (e.g. pH, element concentrations, water retention) as well as in plant growth among the growth media were found. Fresh non-oxidized tailings soil showed high salt contents and electrical conductivity which together with fine soil texture provided the poorest or nonexistent plant growth. Fibre clay was the coarsest and driest material and also showed poor plant growth. Root and shoot growth was greatest in pure compost. All media without compost additive showed relatively poor growth which indicates the lack of nitrogen. The results suggest that forest till soil and biochar are the most suitable growth media for the cover systems of mine tailings when added with compost or another nitrogen source. Scots pine container seedlings, willow cuttings and sown red clover showed to be the most feasible plant species to be grown on boreal tailings covers.

scholarly journals Biochar Improves the Properties of Poultry Manure Compost as Growing Media for Rosemary Production

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Fornes ◽  
Luisa Liu-Xu ◽  
Antonio Lidón ◽  
María Sánchez-García ◽  
María Luz Cayuela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Poultry Manure ◽  
Growth Media ◽  
Rooted Cuttings ◽  
Growing Media ◽  
Manure Compost ◽  
Plant Cultivation ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
The Stability

Compost represents a sustainable alternative for peat (P) replacement in soilless plant cultivation, but its use can be limited by several inadequate physical and physicochemical properties. Biochar can alleviate some of the limitations of compost for its use as growth media by improving the physical properties, decreasing salinity and making the phytotoxic compounds unavailable for plants. We studied the physical and physicochemical properties of holm oak biochar (B), poultry manure compost (PMC), poultry manure composted with biochar (PMBC), a commercial peat (P) and multiple combinations of these materials as growth media, and their effect on the rooting and growth of rosemary. PMBC and PMC showed similar physical and physicochemical properties as growing media, and they both were phytotoxic when used in a rate above 50% (by volume) in the growing medium. However, when used at proportion of 25%, PMBC was less phytotoxic than PMC and enhanced the percentage of rosemary cutting rooting. The incorporation of B in the growing medium instead of P (either at 50% or 75% in volume) increased the stability of the growing media and the percentage of rooted cuttings, but it did not affect plant growth significantly. Our results demonstrate the potential of substituting peat by a combination of poultry manure compost and biochar for the formulation of growth media.

scholarly journals Air-filled Porosity, Gas Relative Diffusivity, and Tortuosity: Indices of Prunus ×cistena sp. Growth in Peat Substrates

1996 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne E. Allaire ◽  
Jean Caron ◽  
Isabelle Duchesne ◽  
Léon-Étienne Parent ◽  
Jacques-André Rioux
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Water Desorption ◽  
Tortuosity Factor ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Relative Diffusivity ◽  
Chemical Factors

A 2-year experiment with Prunus ×cistena sp. was conducted in pots using seven substrates composed of various proportions of primarily peat, compost and bark. Peat substrates significantly affected root and shoot dry weight. Water desorption characteristics and saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured in situ to estimate the pore tortuosity factor and the relative gas diffusion coefficient. The pH, electrical conductivity, C/N ratio, total and hydrolyzable N, as well as NO3--N and NH4+-N in solution were also measured. Estimates of the physical properties suggest that a lack of aeration limited plant growth. Plant growth was significantly correlated with both the gas relative diffusivity and the pore tortuosity factor. Among the chemical factors, pH and soil nitrate level were also correlated with plant growth. No significant correlation was found between plant growth and air-filled porosity or any other measured chemical properties. This study indicates that an index of gas-exchange dynamics could be a useful complementary diagnostic tool to guide substrate manufacturing.

Characterisation of Martian soil simulant MMS-1 in mixture with green compost for future sustainable space agriculture

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Adamo ◽  
Simona Vingiani ◽  
Mario Palladino ◽  
Christophe El-Nakhel ◽  
Luigi G. Duri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Amorphous Material ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Dry Biomass ◽  
Crop Waste ◽  
Martian Regolith

<p>The configuration of a biologically active and fertile substrate consisting mainly of Martian regolith to facilitate the growth of edible plants during long-term manned missions to Mars constitutes one of the main challenges in spatial research. Regolith amendment with compost derived from recycled crew effluent crop waste generated by bioregenerative life support systems constitutes a substrate that may contribute to upgrade crew autonomy and long-term survival in space. In this context, the present work aimed to: i) study the geochemical and mineralogical composition of MMS-1 Mars simulant and the physicochemical and hydraulic properties of mixtures obtained by mixing MMS-1 and green compost at varying rates (0:100, 30:70, 70:30, 100:0; v:v); ii) evaluate the potential use of MMS-1 as growing medium of two lettuce cultivars; iii) assess how compost addition may impact on sustainability of space agriculture exploiting local resources. MMS-1 is a coarse-textured alkaline substrate consisting mostly of plagioclase, amorphous material and, to a lesser extent, zeolite, hematite and smectites. Although it can be source of nutrients, it lacks of organic matter, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and sulphur (S), which may be supplied by compost. Both lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars were able to grow on all mixtures for 19 days under fertigation. Red Salanova lettuce produced a statistically-greater dry biomass, leaf area and number than green Salanova. Leaf area and plant dry biomass were higher on 30:70 simulant/compost mixture. The shoot/root ratio of plants decreased as simulant in growth substrate increased. Lack of biological fertility and possible salt stress negatively impacted on plants grown in non-amended simulant. Our results show that it is possible to grow crops in Martian simulants adequately amended and fertilized. However, many remaining issue warrant further investigation concerning the dynamics of compost production, standardization of supply during long-term manned missions and representativeness of simulants to real Martian regolith.</p><p> </p>

Cathodoluminescence of Catalyst Crystallites

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 664-665
Author(s):  
E.D. Boyes ◽  
P.L. Gai ◽  
D.B. Darby ◽  
C. Warwick
Keyword(s):  
Defect Density ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Semiconductor Materials ◽  
Environmental Cell ◽  
High Resolution Structure ◽  
Commercially Important ◽  
Crystallographic Defects ◽  
Resolution Structure

The extended crystallographic defects introduced into some oxide catalysts under operating conditions may be a consequence and accommodation of the changes produced by the catalytic activity, rather than always being the origin of the reactivity. Operation without such defects has been established for the commercially important tellurium molybdate system. in addition it is clear that the point defect density and the electronic structure can both have a significant influence on the chemical properties and hence on the effectiveness (activity and selectivity) of the material as a catalyst. SEM/probe techniques more commonly applied to semiconductor materials, have been investigated to supplement the information obtained from in-situ environmental cell HVEM, ultra-high resolution structure imaging and more conventional AEM and EPMA chemical microanalysis.

Characteristics Of The Structure Formation Of Gypsum Binder Modified With Zinc Hydrosilicates

2020 ◽  
pp. 40-46
Keyword(s):  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Structure Formation ◽  
Silicic Acid ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Crystal Formation ◽  
Ability To Act ◽  
Chemical Factors ◽  
Sorption Characteristics

The authors' methodic for assessing the role of chemical and physic-chemical factors during the structure formation of gypsum stone is presented in the article. The methodic is also makes it possible to reveal the synergistic effect and to determine the ranges of variation of controls factors that ensure maximum values of such effect. The effect of a micro-sized modifier based on zinc hydro-silicates on the structure formation of building gypsum is analyzed and corresponding dependencies are found. It is shown that effects of influence of modifier on the properties of gypsum compositions are determined by chemical properties of modifier. Among the mentioned properties are sorption characteristics (which depend on the amount of silicic acid and its state) and physicochemical properties - the ability to act as a substrate during crystal formation. The proposed method can also be extended to other binding substances and materials. This article contributes to the understanding of the processes that occur during the structure formation of composites, which will make it possible to control the structure formation in the future, obtaining materials with a given set of properties.

In situ deteriorating patient simulation in general practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp20X711425
Author(s):  
Joanna Lawrence ◽  
Petronelle Eastwick-Field ◽  
Anne Maloney ◽  
Helen Higham
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Patient Simulation ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Integrated Simulation ◽  
Deteriorating Patient

BackgroundGP practices have limited access to medical emergency training and basic life support is often taught out of context as a skills-based event.AimTo develop and evaluate a whole team integrated simulation-based education, to enhance learning, change behaviours and provide safer care.MethodPhase 1: 10 practices piloted a 3-hour programme delivering 40 minutes BLS and AED skills and 2-hour deteriorating patient simulation. Three scenarios where developed: adult chest pain, child anaphylaxis and baby bronchiolitis. An adult simulation patient and relative were used and a child and baby manikin. Two facilitators trained in coaching and debriefing used the 3D debriefing model. Phase 2: 12 new practices undertook identical training derived from Phase 1, with pre- and post-course questionnaires. Teams were scored on: team working, communication, early recognition and systematic approach. The team developed action plans derived from their learning to inform future response. Ten of the 12 practices from Phase 2 received an emergency drill within 6 months of the original session. Three to four members of the whole team integrated training, attended the drill, but were unaware of the nature of the scenario before. Scoring was repeated and action plans were revisited to determine behaviour changes.ResultsEvery emergency drill demonstrated improved scoring in skills and behaviour.ConclusionA combination of: in situ GP simulation, appropriately qualified facilitators in simulation and debriefing, and action plans developed by the whole team suggests safer care for patients experiencing a medical emergency.

scholarly journals Insights on Molecular Characteristics of Hydrochars by 13C-NMR and Off-Line TMAH-GC/MS and Assessment of Their Potential Use as Plant Growth Promoters

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laís G. Fregolente ◽  
João Vitor dos Santos ◽  
Giovanni Vinci ◽  
Alessandro Piccolo ◽  
Altair B. Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Phosphoric Acid ◽  
13C Nmr ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Growth Promoters ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Potential Use

Hydrochar is a carbon-based material that can be used as soil amendment. Since the physical-chemical properties of hydrochar are mainly assigned to process parameters, we aimed at evaluating the organic fraction of different hydrochars through 13C-NMR and off-line TMAH-GC/MS. Four hydrochars produced with sugarcane bagasse, vinasse and sulfuric or phosphoric acids were analyzed to elucidate the main molecular features. Germination and initial growth of maize seedlings were assessed using hydrochar water-soluble fraction to evaluate their potential use as growth promoters. The hydrochars prepared with phosphoric acid showed larger amounts of bioavailable lignin-derived structures. Although no differences were shown about the percentage of maize seeds germination, the hydrochar produced with phosphoric acid promoted a better seedling growth. For this sample, the greatest relative percentage of benzene derivatives and phenolic compounds were associated to hormone-like effects, responsible for stimulating shoot and root elongation. The reactions parameters proved to be determinant for the organic composition of hydrochar, exerting a strict influence on molecular features and plant growth response.

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