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Chronological Thread  
  • From: "WB Carver" <wbcarver AT marketfarming.com>
  • To: "market farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: Granite dust
  • Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 20:04:30 -0500


Hello Group,

I have been watching the thread on Granite Dust and related materials and
would like to pose a suggestion. When considering applying quarry fines, or
pond fines as an soil additive I would want to test them before use. My
background is mechanical rather than environmental, however in 20 plus years
in heavy equipment I have worked in or around a number of quarries and would
like to pass along the following to think about.
I don't know if there is an MSDS as such, for crushed stone materials (of
which fines are a production by-product) because they are considered a
natural, rather than chemical material. There may in some cases, be lab
reports available on the percentage of different materials and moisture
content, which are good to a point, and by all means get a copy if one is
available.
However, most of the testing is done on the materials as they leave the
crusher or shaker, not after they have been moved around the quarry by heavy
equipment or have been in the silt pond.
Here is the point to consider. In all but the most tightly run
operations, there are a number of pieces of equipment with fluid leaks. The
worst leaks are usually hydraulic fluid, but antifreeze, diesel fuel and
motor oil are also likely. Often in quantities that makes the local oil
supplier grin from ear to ear. After many years of equipment fluid leaks the
ground water, and soil base in and around quarries, and other similar
facilities, is not water or soil I would want to drink, or put on my crops.
This is not to say that you should automatically discard quarry fines as a
viable source of mineral supplements. As one poster said, they are
inexpensive, if not free for the hauling, ($3.00/ton at one quarry in my
area)and do contain valuable minerals. But, if I valued my organic
certification, I would suggest having a sample tested, specifically for
petroleum, ethylene glycol, and other trace elements before using them.

Just wanted to pass along the thought.

WB (Bill) Carver
Laughing Brook Farm
Westfield, NC








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