Approaching a dynamic view on the availability of mineral resources: What we may learn from the case of phosphorus?

Scholz, Roland; Wellmer, Friedrich‐Wilhelm

doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2012.10.013

Cited by 228 publications

(160 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The rapid and increasing phosphorus (P) consumption in modern agriculture has raised concerns on both its supply security (Elser and Bennett, 2011;Godfray et al, 2010;Neset and Cordell, 2012;Scholz and Wellmer, 2013) and its impact on the environment (soil P accumulation, leaching, and/or eutrophication) (Kang et al, 2011;Ranatunga et al, 2013;Syers et al, 2008). Consequently, the effective use of soil P and P containing mineral and organic fertilizers, as well as the cradle-to-cradle recycling of P from municipal, agricultural, and other biodegradable waste sources as green renewable fertilizers with high P use efficiency (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Bio-Based Fertilizers: Bioavailability and Fractionation

et al. 2016

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Although to date some technologies producing bio-based phosphorus (P) fertilizers have been proposed and implemented, the efficient use of the recovered products is still limited due to legislative constraints, lack of insights in their P release with time, and in the corresponding mechanisms. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the fertilizer performance in terms of P release and use efficiency of recovered struvite, iron phosphate (FePO4) sludge, digestate, and animal manure as compared to fossil reserve-based mineral triple superphosphate (TSP). First, product physicochemical characteristics and P fractionations in the context of European fertilizer legislation were assessed. Next, a controlled greenhouse experiment was set up to evaluate plant reactions as well as changes in P availability on sandy soils with both high and low P status. P soil fractions were determined in extracts with water (Pw), ammonium lactate (PAl), CaCl2 (P-PAE), and in soil solution sampled with Rhizon soil moisture samplers (Prhizon). Based on all results, long-term field trials evaluating the P release effect of struvite and digestate as compared to animal manure and TSP on different soil types with varying P status appear to be worthwhile. These products show promise as sustainable substitutes for conventional P fertilizers and could contribute to a more efficient use of P in agriculture. A refined classification of P application standards/recommendations in terms of soil P status, texture, and fertilizer characteristics, next to the crop P demand, is recommended. Moreover, the additional use of Rhizon samplers for determination of direct available P, including dissolved organic P, is proposed for better understanding and categorization of different P fertilizers in environmental and fertilizer legislations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Bio-Based Fertilizers: Bioavailability and Fractionation

et al. 2016

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“…Another point is the limited availability of some plant nutrients. This limitation mainly relates to phosphorous (Hall and Hall, 1984;Scholz and Wellmer, 2013). Two recent papers propose a hierarchy of limited natural resources with phosphorus at the top and suggest replacing fossil fuel energy Scholz, 2017, 2016).…”

Section: Fuelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invited review: Resource inputs and land, water and carbon footprints from the production of edible protein of animal origin

2018

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Abstract. The objective of this review is to analyze crucial factors in the output from the production of proteins in food of animal origin, such as milk, meat and eggs. We then consider inputs such as land, water, fuel, minerals and feed, as well as characterize emissions. Finally, we estimate footprints for land (land footprint, LF), water (water footprint, WF) and greenhouse gas emissions (i.e., carbon footprint, CF) during the production process. The wide range of different land and water inputs per unit feed between various studies largely influences the results. Further influencing factors are species and categories of animals that produce edible protein, their yields and the feeding of animals. Coproducts with no or low humanly edible fractions and grassland as feed contribute to a lower need for arable land and lower LF, WF and CF. The most efficient land use or the lowest LF per kilogram of edible protein was estimated for higher milk and egg yields; the highest LF values were calculated for beef, followed by pork. The lowest WF and CF were calculated for edible protein of chicken meat and eggs. Edible protein from ruminants is mostly characterized by a higher CF because of the high greenhouse gas potential of methane produced in the rumen. A key prerequisite for further progress in this field is the harmonization of data collection and calculation methods. Alternatives to partial or complete replacement of protein of terrestrial animals, such as marine animals, insects, cell cultures, single-cell proteins or "simulated animal products" from plants, as well as changing eating patterns and reducing food losses are mentioned as further potential ways for more efficient feed production. For all those dealing with plant or animal breeding and cultivation and all those who are working along the whole food production chain, it is a major challenge to enhance the production of more food for more people with, at the same time, less, limited resources and lower emissions.

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“…The nutrients content in digestate depends on the feedstock and on the technology used in the separation process [48]. As there are concerns for the future availability of phosphorus [49], digestate is regarded as a valuable supply that can reduce reliance on its primary production. The commercial value of biogas is determined by its methane content and the market price of its final end-use(s) (or products from its processing such as electricity and heat).…”

Section: Economicmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Parameter Selection Framework for Sustainability Assessment

et al. 2017

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Sustainability assessment of resource recovery from waste is an important prerequisite for informed and sound decision-making. Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) has been developed to support this process, yet its use is still constrained by the difficulty of identifying the most relevant impact parameters. This paper, seeks to inform LCSA for resource recovery from waste based on a parameter identification approach that uses the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal (PESTEL) analysis. The novelty of this approach lies in the structured conceptualisation of the resource recovery system and the context within which decisions are made. The anaerobic digestion of source-separated food waste in the UK is used as a case study to trial and demonstrate the approach. Findings suggest that a conceptual, qualitative analysis, although limited in its scope due to the lack of quantitative components, is suitable in integrating different parameters, allowing for a holistic conceptualisation of the system and capturing important issues that could be easily overlooked. This type of analysis can summarise the key interdependencies, contrast the trade-offs and provide a wider understanding of the political and legal context within which the system operates, all important in extending the implementation of LCSA towards the right direction.

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Approaching a dynamic view on the availability of mineral resources: What we may learn from the case of phosphorus?

Cited by 228 publications

References 35 publications

Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Bio-Based Fertilizers: Bioavailability and Fractionation

Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Bio-Based Fertilizers: Bioavailability and Fractionation

Invited review: Resource inputs and land, water and carbon footprints from the production of edible protein of animal origin

A Parameter Selection Framework for Sustainability Assessment

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