Abstract: An aqueous polysulfide composition comprises one or more inorganic polysulfides, wherein the amount of polysulfides in the composition is at least 30% by weight, preferably at least 35% by weight, more preferably at least 40% by weight, and wherein the amount of thiosulfate anions in the composition is at most 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment the weight ratio of polysulfides to thiosulfates in the aqueous composition is from 55/1 to 1.5/1. In another embodiment, the aqueous polysulfide composition has a pH of at least 10. A process for preparing an aqueous polysulfide composition comprises reacting a sulfide salt (c) with elemental sulfur to form one or more polysulfide salts. The compositions have many uses and are in particular useful in metal capturing, cyanide scavenging, soil remediation, water treatment, petroleum processing, leather processing, and making of paper pulp.

Abstract: Use of urease-inhibiting amounts of calcium polysulfide, potassium polysulfide, calcium thiosulfate, magnesium thiosulfate, and blends thereof, in combination with urea-containing fertilizer to significantly reduce potential losses of nitrogen due to ammonia volatilization.