Greensand is a naturally occurring mineral mined from ocean
deposits from a sedimentary rock known as "Glauconite". It is often an
olive-green colored sandstone rock found in layers in many sedimentary rock formations.
Origin of Greensand
Greensand forms in anoxic (without oxygen) marine environments that are rich in organic detritus
and low in sedimentary inputs. Some greensands contain marine fossils (i.e. New Jersey
Greensand). Greensand has been found in deposits all over the world.
The greenish color comes from the mineral glauconite and iron potassium silicate that
weathers and breaks down releasing the stored minerals. The color may range from a dark
greenish gray, green-black to blue-green depending on the minerals and water content. It
often weathers easily and forms nodules that have been oxidized with iron bearing minerals that has
a reddish brown or rust color.
The major chemical description is ((K,Na)(Fe+3, Al, Mg)2(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2)
General chemical information:
| Iron (Fe) |
12-19% |
| Potassium (K) |
5-7% |
| Silicon (Si) |
25.0% |
| Oxygen (O) |
45% |
| Magnesium (Mg)
| 2-3 % |
| Aluminum (Al) |
1.9 % |
| Sodium (Na) |
0.27% |
| Hydrogen (H) |
0.47% |
Over 30 other trace minerals and many
micronutrients.
Types of Greensand
Glauconite is the name given to a group of
naturally occurring iron rich silica minerals
that may be composed of pellets or grains.
When glauconite is mined the upper layers that
have weathered and become oxidized and minerals
are released. These sometimes form pyrite a iron
sulfide (FeS2) when oxygen is absent. In the
deeper layers or reduced zone pyrite crystals
often form. Other minerals found by magnetic
separation are Zn, Ni, Cu, and many trace
minerals and micronutrients.
The potassium (K) is often found in potassium
saturated layers of mica, vermiculite and
montmorillonite. Greensand is often considered a
clay mineral due to the presence of chlorite,
kaolinite, vermiculite, and other clay minerals
that may be present.
Greensand is a very heavy mineral with a density
of approximately 90 pounds per cubic foot (over 1
ton per cubic yard). The minerals are normally
released slowly over time but occur much faster
in organic rich soils full of beneficial microbes
(microbes produce organic acids as they break
down organic matter which facilitates the release
of the minerals for plant absorption).
The pH of greensand varies from slightly acidic
to slightly alkaline depending on the source and
has little effect on soils.
Sources of Greensand
Greensand deposits are found all over the world
with the largest and most numerous deposits in
the United States and in Great Britain. The
original deposits used in Horticulture were from
the New Jersey area. In recent years several
deposits have been found scattered from East
Texas near Lufkin to West of San Antonio and in
Arkansas.
Uses of Greensand
Greensand has been used for over 100 years as a
natural source of slow release fertilizer and
soil conditioner. The slow release of potash and
phosphate does not burn plants and the minerals
improve the moisture holding properties of soil.
The best deposits of greensand contain at least
90% of the mineral glauconite and less than 2-3%
clay minerals.
The cation exchange capacities (CEC) of soils
were found to increase as the weathering of the
greensand increased. The mineral glauconite is
used as a water softener and it very beneficial
to fight chlorosis in iron deficient soils.
Greensand often has the consistency of sand but
is able to absorb 10 times more moisture which
makes it a good amendment for use in agriculture
and horticulture for many soils types. Greensand
does not burn plants and helps for beneficial
microbes to grow in the soil. It also has been
found to be a good conditioner to help loosen
heavy and tight soils and help bind loose
soils.
Greensand is often used in compost piles to
increase the nutrient content and diversity of
beneficial microbes.
Recommended application is 2-4 pounds of
greensand per 100 square feet or 1 ton per acre.
For potting soils 5-20 pounds per cubic yard can
be beneficial.
A field test by Rutgers University in a sandy
loam soil with greensand applied in the row at
the time of planting, found that the application
of greensand increased the yield of potatoes by
16%.
The benefits of greensand, largely unexplained by
scientific research are far more than a
laboratory analysis would indicate. However
numerous greenhouse and field studies have shown
significant improvement in the growth of plants.
Other studies have shown that the use of
greensand improves the taste, color, nutritional
value, the health of plants and the health of
soils.
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