Utilization Potential of Waste Bittern from Sea Brine, Subsoil Brine and Backwater Brine as Fertilizer for Amaranthus Tender

Abstract

After common salt crystallizes in salt pans, bittern is obtained as a waste mother liquor. This investigation focused on extracting valuable chemicals from toxic and unavoidable waste, specifically bittern. Samples were collected from various sources including sea bittern, subsoil bittern, and backwater bittern. The goal was to recover by-products such as potassium chloride and glaserite using established procedures. An evaluation was conducted to determine both the amount and the level of excellence of the compounds that were retrieved. The test results clearly demonstrated that the potassium chloride and glaserite obtained from sea bittern were of superior quality compared to those extracted from subsoil and backwater bittern. The recovered fertilizers from different bittern samples were applied to promote the growth of amaranthus tender red and green color plants, respectively. The plants were treated with three different fertilizer dosages: 0 grams, 10 grams, and 20 grams. Growth features of the plants, including plant height, stem width, total number of leaves, and maximum leaf width, were measured every 15 days for a total of 45 days. The test findings showed that the potassium chloride and glaserite derived from bittern were enriched with nutrients and had a positive impact on soil fertility. The consumption of different nutrients by amaranthus plants was further confirmed through ash sample analysis. The study determined that, extracting valuable compounds from sea bittern samples resulted in greater plant growth compared to the other two bittern samples. Thus, using residual bittern as fertilizer, boosts salt workers' economies and reduces bittern's toxicity.