Phosphorus recovery and reuse from waste streams

Authors: KARUNANITHI, RAJASEKAR - University Of South Australia; Szogi, Ariel; BOLAN, NANTHI - University Of South Australia; NAIDU, RAVI - University Of South Australia; LOGANATHAN, PARIPURNANDA - University Of Technology Sydney; HUNT, PATRICK - Retired ARS Employee; Vanotti, Matias; SAINT, CHRISTOPHER - University Of South Australia; OK, YONG SIK - Kangwon National University; KRISHNAMOORTHY, SATHIYA - Indian Council Of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

Submitted to: Advances in Agronomy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2014
Publication Date: 4/1/2015
Citation: Karunanithi, R., Szogi, A.A., Bolan, N., Naidu, R., Loganathan, P., Hunt, P.G., Vanotti, M.B., Saint, C.P., Ok, Y., Krishnamoorthy, S. 2015. Phosphorus recovery and reuse from waste streams. Advances in Agronomy. 131:173-250.

Interpretive Summary: Phosphorus (P) is a macronutrient essential for all living organisms. Regrettably, it is a finite resource since phosphate rock (PR) is the main material used for production of P fertilizers. Globally, the demand for quality PR is escalating due to many factors including increasing human population. Inevitably, the demand for PR will exceed its supply capacity. This condition will be very difficult to manage as living systems have no alternative for P. Moreover, P use efficiency is low; only 15-20% of applied P is used by crops and animals. Globally, the remaining P is shunted into various waste streams. These waste streams include large quantities of effluents rich in P from both municipal and industrial waste water treatment systems and manure from livestock production. The P present in these waste streams poses a threat to the environment by nutrient enrichment resulting in serious ecological issues such as eutrophication of waterways. However, P in these waste streams, if economically recovered, can contribute to a sustainable management of P resources. This review covers the following aspects: global importance of P as an essential nutrient; efficient and sustainable utilization of P; waste streams production, their suitability for P recovery and limitations; current and emerging technologies for recovery of P; and the use of recovered of P material. Finally, future research needs are identified associated with P recovery from waste streams and reuse in agriculture.

Technical Abstract: Phosphorus (P) is a macronutrient essential for all living organisms. Regrettably, it is a finite resource since phosphate rock (PR) is the main material used for production of P fertilizers. Globally, the demand for quality PR is escalating due to many factors including increasing human population. Inevitably, the demand for PR will exceed its supply capacity. This condition will be very difficult to manage as living systems have no alternative for P. Moreover, P use efficiency is low; only 15-20% of applied P is used by crops and animals. Globally, the remaining P is shunted into various waste streams. These waste streams include large quantities of effluents rich in P from both municipal and industrial waste water treatment systems and manure from livestock production. The P present in these waste streams poses a threat to the environment by nutrient enrichment resulting in serious ecological issues such as eutrophication of waterways. However, P in these waste streams, if economically recovered, can contribute to a sustainable management of P resources. This review covers the following aspects: global importance of P as an essential nutrient; efficient and sustainable utilization of P; waste streams production, their suitability for P recovery and limitations; current and emerging technologies for recovery of P; and the use of recovered of P material. Finally, future research needs are identified associated with P recovery from waste streams and reuse in agriculture.