What is the Difference Between Perlite and Zeolite?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Perlite and zeolite are both naturally occurring mineral substances, but they have distinct differences in their appearance, structure, and properties.
Perlite:
- Appears in white color.
- Has an amorphous glass structure.
- Is an inorganic compound with a relatively high water content.
- Is a type of amorphous volcanic glass.
- Commonly used in potting mixes for succulents.
- Lightens dense soil and provides aeration.
Zeolite:
- Appears in yellow, blue, or green colors.
- Has a microporous structure.
- Is an aluminosilicate mineral.
- Can absorb and freely exchange positively charged cations.
- Commonly used in horticulture as a soil additive for cacti.
- Provides excellent drainage and releases potassium (K), an important macroelement for plants.
In summary, perlite is a white, amorphous volcanic glass that lightens dense soil and provides aeration, while zeolite is a microporous aluminosilicate mineral that comes in various colors and is used as an ion-exchange agent in horticulture.
Comparative Table: Perlite vs Zeolite
Here is a table comparing the differences between perlite and zeolite:
Feature | Perlite | Zeolite |
---|---|---|
Color | White | Yellow, blue, or green |
Structure | Amorphous glass | Microporous aluminosilicate mineral |
Composition | Inorganic compound with relatively high water content, a type of amorphous volcanic glass | Hydrated aluminosilicate minerals with natural occurrence, structured in rigid three-dimensional net |
Application | Used in agriculture and horticulture as a soil amendment and substrate | Used as a slow-release plant nutrient source and in various industrial applications |
Perlite is an inorganic compound with a relatively high water content and is a type of amorphous volcanic glass. It appears in white color and has an amorphous glass structure. Zeolite, on the other hand, is a microporous aluminosilicate mineral that occurs naturally. It appears in yellow, blue, or green colors and has a microporous structure. Both perlite and zeolite are used in agriculture and horticulture as soil amendments and substrates.
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