Unique Effects of Alginite as a Bituminous Rock on Soil, Water, Plants and Animal Organisms – Review

Abstract

The publication aims to present some knowledge about the less-known but at the same time very scarce bituminous rock alginite with comprehensive practical use in the form of a brief overview. Alginite is an organic-bituminous rock that was formed about six million years ago from dead fossil algae Botryococcus braunii Kütz and diatoms in the area of today‘s Pannonian Basin. In Europe, alginite deposits have been discovered in Hungary, Austria and Slovakia in Pinciná village. Alginite mining is mostly used in Hungary in the Gerce area. Alginite is grey to dark grey, in the wet state dark laminated, clayey with the form of disintegrating clay. Alginite has very valuable physical, mechanical and chemical properties. It is a natural bituminous rock with a favourable content of basic nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg and S) for plants except for nitrogen content. Alginite contains a large number of microelements, which increase the agrochemical possibilities of its use. It can be applied in its natural form without chemical treatment. It is an ecological raw material that improves the soil and does not negatively affect the environment. Alginite has become the subject of research in many workplaces. The overview presents the basic physical, mechanical and chemical properties of alginite and selected knowledge and research results that have enabled the practical use of alginite in natural or technologically modified form in agriculture in the formation of growth, development and crop formation and quality of seeds and fruits of cultivated crops, forestry, remediation and improvement of soil and water properties, decomposition of herbicides, stabilization of beneficial microorganisms in animal organisms and other areas.