Pacific Fertiliser recently undertook detailed research into the bulk agricultural gypsum products available on the eastern seaboard of Australia. This research continues on from the NSW Department of Primary Industries work in 1996 which was reported in the AgFact AC.10 (Agdex 514) document.
The gypsum samples were obtained from various agricultural gypsum sources either ex mine pit or from product landed on the farm. Pacific Fertiliser and REGYP gypsum products were also tested during the research and these were taken from finished product stockpiles.
The main items we tested for were gypsum purity, sizing and solubility. The results enable us to benchmark our products against others, but also to help customers in their evaluation of which gypsum to use when they are looking to purchase gypsum for their farm or project.
When testing for gypsum solubility, we employed the method used in the AgFact AC.10 paper. This test method is more indicative of what happens in the paddock rather than the normal method to test solubility, where gypsum samples are finely ground up before being analysed. Due to the river bed gypsum having higher salt contents we had to adjust the solubility results to reflect the true gypsum solubility.
If you have any questions or would like to view the full report please feel free to call 1300473497 or visit our website www.pacificfertiliser.com
Test Laboratory:
Pacific Fertiliser commissioned Cement Australia to do the gypsum analysis work for our research. Cement Australia’s laboratory in Darra QLD is NATA approved and very proficient and experienced in testing gypsum and other minerals.
Test Methods:
Gypsum Purity:- Calculated from Sulphur (S) content. (18.6% Sulphur is 100% CaSO4.2H2O)
Sulphur Content: – X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
Total Calcium:- XRF
Total Oxides:- XRF
Moisture Content:- AS 4489.8.1, modified for gypsum by limiting heat to 40ºC for 24 hrs.
Particle Size:- Analysis Dry sieve
Gypsum Solubility:- As per the method used in the NSW AGFACTS AC.10. Solubility is expressed as electrical conductivity (EC) of solution obtained by adding the equivalent of 10g of pure gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) to 1 litre of demineralised water. This solution is gently shaken (20 times end over end) and placed in a centrifuge for 10 minutes. The unit of electrical conductivity is dS/m.
Adjusted solubility:- Pacific Fertiliser added a modified column to the analysis results in the above table, to allow for the effect on electrical conductivity in the gypsum samples with a higher salt content. The measured electrical conductivity (EC) of a solution is influenced by the concentration and composition of dissolved salts. In the 1996 results Bourke solubility was 0.4 dS/m and Balranald was 1.0 dS/m.
Please download a full copy of the research report here (13mB).
