Study on the Physico-Chemical Properties of Cement Dust and the Possibility of Application in Agriculture
Cement dust is created as a by-product during the production of cement, and in its composition it contains high concentrations of calcium oxide (CaO), potassium oxide (K2O) and other important micro and macro elements. Due to its composition, it is suitable for correcting the pH of the soil, as well as for the uptake of essential elements by plants. The ability to accumulate essential and non-essential heavy metals also depends on the cultivated plant species, and vegetables show the greatest affinity for these elements. The application of cement dust as a soil additive used to improve the physico-chemical soil properties is examined in the paper. After the addition, the soil was mechanically cultivated and planting of the vegetable crop tomato was carried out. The content of essential elements and heavy metals was determined in the soil, cement dust, and tomato fruits grown on soil with and without the addition of cement dust. Due to the high pH value, high conductivity as well as the high content of CaO, it is very important to examine in real conditions how the addition of cement dust to the soil affects the formation of micro and macro elements as well as the content of heavy metals when growing tomatoes. The results showed that the cement kiln dust is an effective addition to the soil because it is a source of calcium, potassium and other essential elements without affecting the loss of quality or contamination with heavy metals during production.