nutrients from the ocean
“
Aluminum and boron
to yttrium and zinc—every
one of the elements on the
periodic table is found in any
sample of ocean water.
”
Even a small quantity of mineral-rich water right from the surf has long
been known to enhance the soil and promote growth of its life-giving
microbes. Fish, shellfish, and seaweed have enriched fields and gardens
for millennia. European settlers in Massachusetts learned from the locals
to add a small fish to each hill of corn seeds for a bountiful crop. Today,
waste nutrients from fish processing make rich fertilizers.
Ocean Minerals
Seawater holds a mix of minerals life needs to thrive. But at first glance,
objections may arise. Isn’t the ocean too salty? Isn’t it badly polluted?
Isn’t ocean water free to anyone?
Saltiness objection countered: The minerals in ocean water buffer the
sodium in the salt. Sea mineral makeup is remarkably close to that of
blood, buffered to neutral pH. Having rescued used blood from a medical
lab where I worked, I know it’s a fabulous fertilizer. Besides, most
producers of sea minerals reduce the sodium content of their product.
What about pollution? Plenty of pristine waters remain, far from major
industrial and urban areas, and that’s where producers harvest. In addi-
tion, they use GPS to find the cleanest, most nutrient-dense waters.
Why buy what’s free, some may ask. Water is heavy and moving it
costs plenty. Besides, most of us don’t live close to the ocean. Harvesters
concentrate the good stuff to save us a lot of effort. Though many do
neutralize the salt in their product, research on adding seawater to plant
media withou