Chemistry in Agriculture and Industries: Limestone, Urea and Ammonium Sulphate

Chemistry in Agriculture and Industries

We know the fertility of the soil is enhanced by applying different kinds of chemical substances produced in industries. We will discuss some of them,

Limestone (CaCO₃)

it is a valuable mineral resource. In Bangladesh, huge quantities of limestone are found in Sunamgonj district and Saint Martin Island.

Uses of Limestone

1. It is used as the main element of producing cement.

2. If the soil becomes acidic that is the quantity of H⁺ increases in the soil due to any reason, then we can reduce the acidity by applying lime stone on that soil.

Lime stone reacts with H⁺ and produces calcium ion (Ca²⁺), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water. As a result, the acidity of the soil reduces.

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Urea

Urea is another valuable material.

Preparation of Urea

Step-1:

Ammonium carbamate (NH₂COONH₄) is produced when the mixture of carbon-di-oxide and ammonia gas is heated at a high pressure and 130°C-150°C temperature.

Step- 2:

The ammonium carbamate is broken and Urea (NH₂-CO-NH₂) is produced.

Uses of Urea

Urea has a widely uses in industries and agriculture.

a. Melamine polymer is prepared from Urea in industiies.

b. It is used as fertilizer in agriculture. Urea is applied on soil so that plants can get enough Nitrogen nutrients from Urea fertilizer.

Plants do not directly receive N₂. In presence of Ureas Enzyme in the soil, urea reacts with water and produces NH₄⁺, OH^– and CO₂. Finally, plants can absorb this NH₄⁺.

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Ammonium Sulphate

Preparation of Ammonium Sulphate

Ammonia reacts with sulphuric acid and produces ammonium sulphate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] and water.

Uses of Ammonium Sulphate

a. Ammonium sulphate is widely used in agriculture. It can react with alkali or base. When the amount of alkali gets increased in the soil, we use ammonium sulphate on the soil to decrease the amount of alkali.

b. It is a very important nutrient for plants as plants receive nitrogen and sulphur from it.