ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Estimation of Structure and Water and Air
Properties of Grodan Rockwool Waste
after Production Cycle
Monika Jaroszuk-Sierocińska, Anna Słowińska-Jurkiewicz,
Maja Bryk, Beata Kołodziej
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Institute of Soil Science, Environment Engineering and Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin,
Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069 Lublin, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(6):2039-2045
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ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on the description of the structure and water-air properties of Grodan rockwool
removed from the greenhouse after one production cycle of tomato. After removal from the greenhouse, the
rockwool contained a lot of roots, the result of which was a considerable level of organic matter in the waste
material, at 9.0 g/100 g. The analyses were conducted on rockwool crushed into scraps measuring 5×5,
2.5×2.5, and 1×1 cm. The used rockwool compared to new rockwool displayed a decrease in the container
water capacity at water potential state of -0.98 kPa, and an increase in the field water capacity at water potential
values of -9.81, -15.54, and -30.99 kPa. The highest gravimetric and volumetric water capacity at water
potential of -9.81 kPa was noted for rockwool fragmented in large scraps, and at water potential values of -
15.54 and -30.99 kPa for rockwool crushed into medium scraps. These changes are favorable from the viewpoint
of the possibility of utilizing waste rockwool for soil reclamation.