Finer-ground products are used in some aquacultural systems. Steelhead Specialty Mineral's clinoptilolite products TSM 150, CS 400 and TSM 110 carry potassium as the major exchangeable cation. In direct soil application, the clinoptilolite provides a source of slowly released potassium. If previously loaded with ammonium, the zeolites can serve a similar function in the slow release of nitrogen. The potential for hi-tech or specialty potting soil formulations is evident.
Natural zeolites can increase the rate of phytoremediation for certain metals, and isotopes.
These filler grades of zeolite have a large potential for utilization in the paint and plastics industries. Many deposits of natural zeolites contain high-brightness reserves and the potential for benefaction is increasing with improved technology for magnetic separation and bleaching of zeolite. Because zeolites possess the ability to act as molecular sieves, they are used to purify or sweeten natural gases through the removal of impurities such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and water. In addition to upgrading natural gas, zeolites are used to separate oxygen and nitrogen in pressure swing adsorption columns. These utilizations of natural zeolites are most common in Japan, as most domestic gas purification and separation is done with high-cost synthetic zeolite molecular sieves.