Saqqummersitaq

In a global world where climate change and a growing population increase the requirements for food, the need for fertile soil becomes a problem, especially in the tropics. New research shows that Greenlandic Glacier Rock Flour (GRF) can be used to remineralise nutrient depleted soils and thus, to some extent, alleviate some of these problems.

This project investigates whether GRF ́s fertility potential depends on the size of the glacier thermal regime and locations. Glacier Rock Flour was collected from different sites in Greenland, Svalbard, Alaska and Argentina for comparison. Incubation experiments were carried out by mixing 10% GRF with soil/sand in the ratio 1:1. The level of available potassium and phosphorus was measured after two and four weeks and compared to a control sample only containing the soil/sand.

The analysis shows that there is a difference in the available K depending on location, while the P analysis is more inconsistent.

Based on the results, the main factor for nutrient release is the particle size of the GRF, and this is mainly influenced by the thermal regime of the glacier and the bedrock. The results also show that the physical properties and soil environment affect the release of potassium and phosphorus the most.

Overall, GRF from Greenland seems to be more suitable for remineralisation compared to GRF from other locations, especially when looking at the available potassium.