With the amount of rigorous activity seen by sports turfs, it is a wonder they manage to stay intact at all. For professional stadium grounds this is especially important, as the turf must be kept to a high standard of excellence at all times. So how do these surfaces stay looking so pristine? For the most part, due to the influence of lightweight aggregates such as Zeolite.
What are Lightweight Aggregates?
They are essentially minerals that possess unique properties which allow them to be used in a number of industrial processes, including turf maintenance. They are at their most effective when endowed with a high uniformed internal pore space and high ionic charge (CEC - cation exchange capacity). These factors allow lightweight aggregates like Zeolite to effectively function as a source of water retention when applied to the sub surface of a sports turf, among other uses.
Where Do They Come From?
Zeolite, was formed as the result of intense volcanic activity, creating showers of ash which eventually formed beds of sediment below the surface of nearby lakes. This sediment goes through a transformation into Zeolite via sub-surface thermal activity heating the lake beds to form soft rocks. When used in the context of turf maintenance, Zeolite makes for a more durable, resilient playing surface.
How Exactly Do Lightweight Aggregates such as Zeolites affect the Turf?
The central advantage they have over other alternatives, such as sand, is their ability to absorb large amounts of water and free nutrients from the tuf base. This leads to an increased level of efficient water filtration, allowing the turf to withstand adverse weather conditions more effectively.
They also increase the efficiency of fertilisers in the soil, which reduce the high on-going management costs associated with maintaining the playing surface. If you happen to be installing a new turf, a lightweight aggregate such as Zeolite will also reduce the time taken to establish the grounds by greatly shortening the germination time.
How Wide Spread is the Use of these Lightweight Aggregates such as Zeolite?
You would be hard pressed to find a professional sports ground that doesn't employ some form of lightweight aggregate as a means of maintaining their turf. Rugby grounds and golf courses across the country have taken to including Zeolite in their upkeep regimen.
They can still be used on surfaces which have in the past used sand for a similar purpose. It complements the existing layer of sand, working in tandem to create a porous turf mat, boasting increased water retention and robust root development.
New Zealand expanded Perlite is used in lightweight aggregates, and thermal and acoustic insulation at Blue Pacific Minerals.
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