Azomite

Azomite mineral ore in its natural state prior to being ground for use

Azomite (pronounced ā-zō-mite, officially all-caps AZOMITE) is the registered trademark for a complex silica ore (hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate) with an elevated ratio of trace minerals unique to the Utah mineral deposit from which it is mined. When the ash from a volcanic eruption filled a nearby seabed an estimated 30 million years ago, the combination of seawater, fed by hundreds of mineral-rich rivers and the rare earth minerals present in the volcanic ash, created the deposit’s distinctive composition. Mineralogically described as rhyolitic tuff breccia, the geologic characteristic of its surface is referred to as an outcrop known as a hogback.[1]

Scientific analysis

Scientific analysis of this combination of volcanic ash and marine minerals reports over 70 trace minerals, many recognized as essential by the National Research Council of Canada.[2] A typical analysis of an Azomite sample using spark source mass spectrometry reveals the presence of many rare earth elements.[3]

History

Rollin J. Anderson, a geological prospector and organic pioneer, founded Azomite in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1942. Convinced that what ailed America was its food supply and the depleted soil from which it came, Anderson left the city life of San Francisco in search of a remedy. He initially pursued development of his father’s Utah-based gypsum mine as a means for neutralizing alkaline farmland; however production logistics of a promising start were foiled by World War II crisis. Intrigued by the Native American folklore surrounding the healing powers of the “painted rocks” just south of Salt Lake City, Anderson set out to learn more and to try to validate their claims.

Anderson brought samples of the pink ore to his friend Charles Head, a scientist and chief microscopist at the U.S. Bureau of Mines, whose analysis showed a wide array of minerals similar to the caliche rocks of Chile and Peru, the source for much of the world's nitrate. Head further noted that this was an aluminosilicate mixed with an abundance of minerals, rare in the United States, and even in the world, that appeared to contain "all the essential minerals and trace elements in a balanced ratio and naturally chelated".[4]

The premise of his findings was a "unique" analysis showing over 70 trace minerals, which inspired Anderson to coin the name Azomite for his discovery – an acronym for the A to Z of minerals including trace elements. Selected by the U.S. Government to study nitrates in South America (1919-1925), Head had developed a theory that the benefits plants received from nitrates was actually from the minute quantities of trace elements which served as catalysts. The duo ground the ore into rock dust to see its effects in a controlled environment. Beginning with tomatoes and extending tests to a wide range of vegetables, they found the Azomite plots produced heartier plants that were also free from the worm infestation prevalent in the non-treated plots.[4]

Expanding their studies to livestock and poultry feed provided results showing improvement in animal growth, reproductive vigor and immunity. Poultry studies showed greater egg production with less breakage. Livestock feed costs lessened with Azomite used as a feed additive, enabling less grain expense. In addition, animals showed a definite preference for pasture grown with Azomite and hay from Azomite treated soils. Word spread and based on farmers’ testimonials, Anderson mined, crushed and sold Azomite locally, gaining an enthusiastic following of local farmers.[4]

Upon his retirement in 1988 Anderson leased the reserves to mineral mining company Peak Minerals, led by Wes Emerson. Mr. Emerson continued to complete additional accredited scientific studies to support the efficacy of Azomite. In 2011, the Anderson Company’s ownership merged with what is now known as Azomite Mineral Products, Inc. under the direction of Mr. Emerson as Company President. Azomite’s distribution channels now serve approximately thirty countries, with over thirty percent of the company’s sales from international export.[1]

Use

Azomite is used primarily as a natural feed anticaking agent and remineralizer for depleted soils.[1] Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate (HSCAS), its primary component, is listed in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR 582.2729) as an anticaking agent for livestock feed and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Agriculture and livestock producers have used Azomite to support livestock health and plant nutrition for over seventy years.[4] While it contains minute quantities of naturally occurring contaminants, Azomite falls well within the guidelines for use in animal feed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

As a natural substance, Azomite is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic farming.[5] Adequately mineralized soil has a natural resilience to pests, supporting a reduced dependency on pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, evolving studies link organic crops with higher nutritional levels than those produced by non-organic means.[6]

In 1997, Jared Milarch, a horticulture student at Northwestern Michigan College introduced Azomite to the nursery industry after testing the rock dust on plant growth in controlled studies on his family’s chemical-free commercial farm. Milarch conducted experiments proving his theory that Azomite works as a catalyst to help plants better absorb nutrients from the soil.[7] In 1998, Ely & Hubbard found that "There was no difference in any of the parameters measured as a result of the addition of Azomite" in container grown plants.[8]

Independent scientist Dr. Lee Klinger believes soil acidification is among the leading factors contributing to sudden oak death, by altering mineral balance and reducing availability of nutrients. Based on this theory, he has developed a holistic treatment to treat the disease that includes a regimen of Azomite.[9] In 1999, University of California Berkeley pathologists M. Garbelotto and D. Schmidt, published findings in a journal (published by the University of California) that "alternative treatment comprised of Azomite soil amendments and a lime bark wash was ineffective in stopping the spread of sudden oak death."[10] Dr. Klinger noted that the UC Berkeley paper research was based on just five trees compared to his 150, spanned half the duration of his own studies, and sought to compare his "toxin-free holistic approach" to the commercial toxic fungicide compound phosphonate, found in glyphosate products. Klinger stated, "I consider as nonsense the claims of inefficacy and illegality of my holistic methodology, and unless (my) questions can be properly addressed, the claims will remain as nonsense." [11]

Azomite is not approved by the FDA for human consumption. Weston A. Price Foundation founder, Sally Fallon, considers Azomite's bioavailable trace mineral content to be a superfood; beneficial to human health.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Redgrave, Chris (3 May 2012). "Zions Bank Speaking on Business: Azomite Mineral Products" (Audio). KSL Radio, Utah. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Minerals for Plants, Animals and Man". Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Government of Alberta. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  3. ↑ "Certificate of Analysis" (PDF). Azomite Company Website. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Tompkins, Peter; Bird, Christopher (2002). "Chapter 17, Savory Soil". Secrets of the Soil (Third ed.). Earthpulse Press (originally published by Harper & Row). ISBN 1-890693-24-3.
  5. ↑ "Azomite Mineral Products Inc.". Organic Materials Review Institute. OMRI. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  6. ↑ Palmer, RD, Sharon (July 2009). "Digging Into Soil Health". Today's Dietitican. 11 (7): 38. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  7. ↑ Yarrow, David (2000). "Mineral Restoration & Utah Rock Dust" (PDF). ACRES Magazine, A Voice for Eco-Agriculture. 30 (4): 14–17. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  8. ↑ Ely, Chris; Hubbard, Mark A. (1998-06-01). "Growth of Container-grown Plants With and Without Azomite Soil Amendment". HortScience. 33 (3): 492–492. ISSN 0018-5345.
  9. ↑ Rich, Deborah K. (October 8, 2005). "OAK LORE / Preserving a heritage tree / Scientist takes holistic approach to sudden oak death". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "California Agriculture Online". californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  11. ↑ "California Agriculture paper on Sudden Oak Death: Can conclusions of treatment efficacy be made in trials where n = 5?". suddenoaklife.org. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
  12. ↑ Fallon, Sally; Enig, Ph.D., Mary G. (2001). Nourishing Traditions (Second ed.). New Trends Publishing, Inc. p. 617. ISBN 978-09670897-3-7.
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