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Comparison of the environmental performance of different treatment scenarios for the main phosphorus recycling sources

Hörtenhuber, Stefan Josef; Theurl, Michaela Clarissa and Möller, Kurt (2018) Comparison of the environmental performance of different treatment scenarios for the main phosphorus recycling sources. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 33, pp. 1-14. [In Press]

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Document available online at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000515


Summary

Efficient phosphorus (P) recycling from rural and urban areas is becoming an increasing issue due to the scarcity of natural P deposits. Based on a life cycle assessment (LCA), we analyzed the environmental performance of 17 different P supply and recycling approaches from urban wastes, biosolids and slaughterhouse wastes compared with the two conventional inorganic fertilizers phosphate rock and triple superphosphate. The results show that many recycled P fertilizers (RPFs; e.g., digestates from urban organic wastes, biosolids and their ashes, meat and bone meal (MBM) and its recycling products) are competitive in terms of LCA results compared with conventional P fertilizers. For each of the P recycling sources, one or more treatment options were identified, which have more favorable LCA results than the conventional references. For sewage sludge, we found that direct application of the stabilized biosolids, and incineration with application of the ash showed the lowest LCA impacts per kg P; their treatments even generated net credits from added values. The same applies for the anaerobic digestion treatment of urban organic wastes. For MBM, low environmental impacts were identified for each of the analyzed treatment options, especially for anaerobic digestion, incineration, feeding with application of manure and direct application. Similarly, low environmental impacts and net credits were found for directly applied biomass ash. Some organically based RPFs demonstrate added values, i.e., as nitrogen and potassium fertilizer effect, energy gains during the treatment, or a humus sequestration potential. If these added values are considered in the LCAs, 11 out of 17 RPFs will have advantageous effects for the majority of addressed impact categories.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Recycled P fertilizers, life cycle assessment, GWP, abiotic resources, fossil energy depletion potential, acidification, eutrophication, IMPROVE-P, CoreOrganic2
Subjects: Crop husbandry > Composting and manuring
Environmental aspects > Air and water emissions
Values, standards and certification > Evaluation of inputs
Research affiliation: European Union > CORE Organic II > IMPROVE-P
Austria > FiBL Austria
Germany > University of Hohenheim > Institute of Crop Science
Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number:249667
ISSN:1742-1705
Related Links:https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170517000515, http://coreorganic2.org/coreorganic2.asp
Deposited By: Möller, PD Dr. Kurt
ID Code:32914
Deposited On:15 Jun 2018 07:47
Last Modified:15 Jul 2020 07:44
Document Language:English
Status:In Press
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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