Glossary of Terms

An acid is a chemical compound with a pH of less than 7, whereas a base is an “alkaline” (synonym = “basic”) compound with a pH > 7. Acids and bases contain ions of individual elements with positive or negative charges. When an acid reacts with a base a new substance is formed, alternatively called a salt or a mineral. Because of the strong connotation of “salt” in its narrow sense as a particular flavoring we put on our food, most non-chemists use the term “mineral” instead (when referring to the new structures created by such interactions).

Brix is a term popularized by Carey Reams. When used on plant sap it is primarily a measure of the carbohydrate level in plant juices. The instrument used to obtain a brix reading is the refractometer.

An element is one or more unique atoms of the identical atomic weight and number, or their isotopes, as distinguished from all others on the periodic table. Elements have a neutral charge, and may appear as either a liquid, solid or gas and some may assume two, or all three states depending on environmental temperature and / or other factors.

Ions are elements that have given up or gained one or more electrons from (an) other atom(s). Those giving up electrons assume a positive charge and are henceforth called “cat-ions” while those gaining electrons assume a negative charge and are termed “an-ions”. Along with the exchange of electrons, bonds are formed. Therefore ions are the building blocks of mineral formation amongst different elements.

Macronutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium.

Micronutrients such as Zinc, Boron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Copper and Iron. If any of these six go deficient or is out of balance, then quantity will suffer.

A mineral (Chemistry definition) may be a single element with low reactivity such as gold, silver, platinum, copper or their alloys, or a combination of at least two more highly reactive elements creating a chemical compound (a “salt”). [This is the usual meaning employed by this website in its discussion of trace minerals.]

Minerals (Geology definition) are normally crystalline, inorganic and naturally-occurring, formed as a result of geological processes and with a definite chemical composition and physical properties. H2O is a mineral because it is a molecule of two distinct elements, Hydrogen and Oxygen that are gases, but when they combine they may remain as either a gas (i.e., water vapor), or change shape to that of a liquid (water), or become a solid (ice) in which from they finally assume a crystalline structure. Solids (Nutritional definition) that are neither animal nor vegetable (animal and vegetable matter is organic) may also be considered to be minerals in a broad sense.

Organic scientifically speaking, means something made up substantially of Carbon atoms such as any, once-living organism. When is comes to human and animal consumption; simply stated, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.

A rock is a conglomeration of minerals with a degree of hardness, and may contain organic material. Coal, for example, may be classified as a rock since, besides its predominantly organic state (mostly carbon), minerals as afore described may be present. But coal itself, is not a true mineral in the geologic sense.

Salts for the most part, also may be considered to be true minerals. Any chemical compound formed by the union of different ions is a “salt” (in the generic sense). For example, Sodium Chloride (NaCl) can be recreated using chemistry, but is also found in nature as a rather abundant mineral called “Halite” by geologists.

Silicic acid is a general name for a family of chemical compounds of Silicon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen, with the general formula [SiOx(OH)4-2x]n.

Trace Minerals, or trace elements, in soil are micronutrients all plants need to some extent. In most cases, the trace minerals are readily available in the soil. Obtaining a complete analysis of your soil from a trusted laboratory will provide you with results revealing which nutrients your soil lacks.