Public Perceptions of Faecal Sludge Biochar and Biosolids Use in Agriculture

Nicholas, Hannah Larissa; Halfacree, Keith; Mabbett, Ian

doi:10.3390/su142215385

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…Despite this statement, respondents aged 26-60+ mostly declared knowledge on SS utilization in agriculture and land reclamation (28-56%), composting (10-16%), or landfilling (5-28%) (Table 4). A study by Nicholas et al [40] confirmed that the oldest age group of respondents (65+) had greater knowledge and acceptance of the agricultural use of sewage sludge compared to young ones. Mela et al [41] also found greater knowledge of wastewater management among older people (over 65 years of age) than young people.…”

Section: Public Awareness and Knowledge In The Local Community Regard...mentioning

confidence: 95%

Current Trends in Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management—A Case Study for Poznań County, Poland

Jakubus

2024

Sustainability

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The formation of sewage sludge (SS) is directly related to the number of people served by municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), while it is also impacted by increasingly upgraded sewage treatment technologies used in such installations. The presence of SS in our environment raises a number of concerns regarding its proper and sustainable management. In practice, the choice of a specific SS disposal method is determined by a number of factors and, as this research has shown, it may vary significantly both on the national and regional scale. This study analyzed this phenomenon in relation to Poznań County, located in the Wielkopolskie province, Poland. As part of this study, the SS chemical composition was assessed based on data obtained directly from local municipal WWTPs over the course of several years (the last 7 years). The currently used SS management methods were analyzed in terms of SS chemical composition. Moreover, in view of the importance of public involvement in decision-making processes related to sustainable management of SS, an original survey was developed to assess local residents’ knowledge concerning SS management in Poznań County. Based on the obtained data, it was found that the generated SS, constituting a form of fertilizer, was primarily used for agricultural and reclamation purposes (over 41% of total SS mass in the case of Poznań County). It is facilitated by the chemical composition of this waste, characterized by high contents of organic matter (380–730.3 g·kg−1), nitrogen (13.3–78 g·kg−1), and calcium (9.5–350 g·kg−1), while the amounts of heavy metals were within the permissible ranges. A survey of the local community revealed that although respondents recognized and could accurately identify SS as a waste, their knowledge concerning harmfulness of this waste and its management was fragmentary. Regardless of the age of the respondents, 48 to 66% of them had no opinion concerning problems related to SS in their area. The youngest people (aged 18–25) showed the lowest level of knowledge on SS and its management. People with elementary education were the least knowledgeable about sewage sludge management. Regardless of the above, a majority of respondents (28–56% for different age groups and 7–18% for various educational backgrounds) were convinced of the validity of agricultural SS use. To sum up, research on sewage sludge is an indispensable element of activities aimed at sustainable development, combining aspects of environmental protection, circular economy, and social awareness and acceptance. Additionally, the study results indicated the need for social education to increase environmental awareness and co-responsibility for SS management.

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Section: Public Awareness and Knowledge In The Local Community Regard...mentioning

confidence: 95%

Current Trends in Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management—A Case Study for Poznań County, Poland

Jakubus

2024

Sustainability

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“…Also, age plays a significant part in perceptions of FS biochar with those in the oldest age group having the most positive attitude towards FS biochar. Therefore, in the future it is critical to consider gender differences, issue awareness, age and the "disgust factor" when implementing management and policy decisions regarding the land application of biosolids and FS biochar (H. L. Nicholas, Halfacree, et al, 2022).…”

Section: Public Perception Of Faecal Sludge Biocharmentioning

confidence: 99%

Properties, agronomic uses and public perceptions of faecal sludge biochar

Nicholas

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Since 2000 the proportion of the population in low and middle- income nations that use “unimproved” sanitation facilities is increasing, in 2020 3.5 billion people lacked access to safely managed sanitation facilities. Inadequate sanitation facilities and lack of clean water are key factors in the contraction of diarrheal disease which is responsible for the deaths of approximately 525,000 children every year (WHO, 2017).Faecal sludge collected from on-site sanitation facilities is often dumped into the local environment or reused untreated on farmland. The recycling and re-use of faecal sludge can improve sanitation in developing nations as well as playing a pivotal role in the development of a circular economy within the agriculture industry. Here, biochars derived from faecal sludge were characterized with regards to a potential end-use in agriculture. All faecal sludge biochars were found to have high ash content which contributed to the high pH values measured. All biochars recorded relatively low carbon content and BET porosimetry indicated low specific surface areas. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed similar organic surface groups for each biochar. X-ray diffraction analysis differed slightly between biochars, but all displayed a high mineral content (Si, Ca, K and Mg).Faecal sludge biochar was investigated as a soil amendment/fertilizer with acidic soil in two experiments; one conducted in an outdoor greenhouse in natural sunlight and one in a controlled temperature laboratory under a 24-hour photoperiod. It was found that faecal sludge biochar addition to acidic soil increased crop yield, fruit number, plant height and plant biomass and also reduced water runoff in Micro-Tom tomatoes. A combined biochar and fertilizer treatment together produced plants with greater plant height, and tomato yield. The high pH biochar initiated a liming effect which increased nutrient availability as evident in the combined biochar and fertilizer treatment. Under continuous light conditions biochar addition increased plant height, and tomato yield compared to control. However, biochar addition resulted in greater continuous light-induced leaf injury compared to the combined biochar and fertilizer treatment. The combined fertilizer and biochar treatment with a lower rate of biochar plus the addition of nutrients significantly reduced continuous light-induced leaf injury.A survey investigating the public perception of biochar as a soil enhancer in agriculture focusing on faecal sludge derived biochar was conducted. This revealed the “disgust effect” – a “squeamishness” associated with the use of faecal sludge biochar by members of the public. Also, gender differences, issue awareness, and age need to be taken into consideration when enforcing management and policy decisions regarding the land application of faecal sludge biochar.

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Biochar in the British print news media: an analysis of promissory discourse and the creation of expectations about carbon removal

Nerlich,

Morris,

Price

et al. 2023

Science as Culture

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Biochar is amongst a growing suite of approaches developed to address the climate crisis by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; yet public awareness of biochar is low. In this situation, mass-media reporting plays an important role in making an issue public and in creating expectations about its risks and benefits. In British broadsheet newspapers, a promissory, future-oriented discourse on biochar has emerged that is rhetorically configured through, for example, evaluative adjectives, verbs, hyperbole, and allusions to literary and cultural symbols that confer a sense of mystique. Biochar is promoted as an almost magical fix, based on its ability to soak up and store carbon, improve soil health, increase crops yields, and reduce pollutants. Conversely, some of the possible negative aspects of biochar are couched in the form of sarcasm and parody, while others are made invisible. This sets biochar up as a moral good that the public ought to accept, rather than opening up a public debate about its risks and benefits. Engaging in a fine-grained rhetorical analysis of the way promises about biochar are constructed expands the methodological and empirical repertoire of the sociology of expectations and, in future, can be applied to the analysis of other emerging climate change technologies, especially those relating to carbon removal.

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Public Perceptions of Faecal Sludge Biochar and Biosolids Use in Agriculture

Cited by 4 publications

References 67 publications

Current Trends in Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management—A Case Study for Poznań County, Poland

Current Trends in Sustainable Sewage Sludge Management—A Case Study for Poznań County, Poland

Properties, agronomic uses and public perceptions of faecal sludge biochar

Biochar in the British print news media: an analysis of promissory discourse and the creation of expectations about carbon removal

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