Abstract
From various manufacturers and distributors 48 fertilizer samples were collected and analyzed for contents of barium, rubidium and strontium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
The investigated elements are almost always detectable in appreciable amounts in straight and compound fertilizers originated from natural rocks and salt deposits; whereas synthetic nitrogen fertilizers contain in every case low amounts of rubidium, no barium and appreciable quantities of strontium only in some cases.
Potassium sulphate fertilizers appear to be the major source of rubidium and superphosphate and calciumcyanamide the source of barium, whilst the three of them supplied sensible amounts of strontium to fertilized soil to affect its average total content to a various degree.
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Senesi, N., Polemio, M. & Lorusso, L. Evaluation of barium, rubidium and strontium contents in commercial fertilizers. Fertilizer Research 4, 135–144 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01053250
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01053250