Matières organiques exogènes issues de l’élevage et de la ville en milieu tropical : apport de la spectrométrie proche infrarouge pour leur orientation d'usages agronomiques et/ou énergétiques

As observed in northern/rich countries, there is an increase in the production of organic wastes in southern/less advanced countries. So called, Exogenous Organic Matter (EOM), they can be a valuable fertilizer or amendment for agricultural soils or a new supply for energy production. The safe utilisation of EOM requires an in-depth scientific knowledge of their nature and impacts on the environment. Laboratory analysis and experiments have to be carried out in order to know their complex structure related to their physical, chemical and biochemical properties. These techniques represent a relatively high cost and are time consuming. In this study, the near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was chosen as an alternative to classical methods for laboratory characterisations of tropical EOM. The objectives of this study are (1) to show that NIRS is a suitable method for predicting EOM characteristics (2) to characterize EOM in terms of their agronomic potential and/or energetic potential, and (3) to elaborate a typology, build with predicted parameters by NIRS, taking into account some environmental impacts of the different utilisations of EOM.The dataset included more than 2000 EOM samples covering a broad range of fresh and transformed organic materials. Each EOM was scanned using a NIR spectrometer from 1100nm to 2500nm. In addition to the classical laboratory characterisations (dosages of total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), other experiments have been carried out: (1) for “positive” potentials: (i) C and N mineralization measured in controlled conditions (for an agronomic use), (ii) determination of High Heating Value and Biochemical Methane Potential (for an energetic use) and (2) for “negative” potential or risk: phytotoxicity assessment due to trace elements, and the determination of potential nitrous oxide emission. To elaborate the typology, the SIRIS method (System of Integration of Risk with Interaction of Scores) was carried out in order to formalize the steps of a logical procedure, leading to a decision according to objective of the recycling orientation.Diversity of EOM is illustrated by the variability of (i) C contents (from 2 to 64 gC.100g-1DM); (ii) N contents (from 0.2 to 14gN.100g-1DM); (iii) total P contents (from 0.01 to 16gP.100g-1DM),(iv) total K contents (from 0.04 to 30 gK.100g-1DM). When taking into account all EOM without regarding their nature, acceptable predictive models were obtained with NIRS calibration for estimating C, N, total P and total K contents for EOM.“Positive” potential assessment provided information about (1) remaining organic carbon might be stocked into soil after applying EOM (from 102 to 955 kg.t-1TOM) (2) High Heating Value of EOM when recycling as a supply of small scale combustion or thermo chemical conversion (from 7 to 28 MJ.kg-1DM), (3) Biochemical Methane Potential after EOM anaerobic digestion (from 69 to 488 NmlCH4.g-1TOM). Both “negative” potential which took into account phytotoxicity due to trace elements and nitrous oxide emissions were highly interacted on the soil properties (pH, texture). The SIRIS method appeared to be an efficient decision-making tool in this study. It made it possible to classify the EOM according to a simple process based on the ranking of criteria and a self-penalization scoring system. This approach can be used in the absence of accurate, reliable data, which are often difficult to obtain. The help of NIR prediction was useful for better orientate the EOM valorization between soil fertilization and energy production. Further concern will be focused on socio-economical approach in order to complete the final destination of EOM re-use.Comme dans les pays du Nord riches, il y a également une augmentation de la production de déchets organiques dans les pays du Sud moins avancés. Connues sous l'appellation de Matières Organiques Exogènes (MOEx), les déchets organiques peuvent être valorisables comme engrais ou amendement pour les sols agricoles ou bien une nouvelle source de biomasse pour la production d'énergie. L'utilisation raisonnée d'une MOEx exige toutefois une connaissance scientifique approfondie de leur nature et de leurs impacts sur l'environnement. Des analyses conventionnelles en laboratoire et des expérimentations doivent être effectués pour maîtriser leur structure complexe liée à leurs propriétés physiques, chimiques et biochimiques. Celles-ci sont généralement longues et onéreuses. Dans notre étude, la spectroscopie proche infrarouge (SPIR) a été choisie comme une alternative aux méthodes classiques pour la caractérisation de ces MOEx en milieu tropical humide. Les objectifs de notre travail sont (1) de montrer que la SPIR est une méthode appropriée pour la prédiction des caractéristiques de MOEx, (2) pour caractériser les MOEx en termes de leur potentiel agronomique et leur potentiel énergétique et (3) pour élaborer une typologie, construite à partir des données prédites par la SPIR, qui prend en compte quelques impacts négatifs liés à l'utilisation des MOEx. L'ensemble des données a inclus plus de 2000 échantillons de MOEx couvrant une large gamme de MOEx fraîches ou transformées issues de l'élevage, de la ville et des agroindustries. Le spectre SPIR de chaque EOM a été acquis. En plus des caractérisations classiques de laboratoire (les dosages de carbone, azote, phosphore, potassium, etc.), d'autres expérimentations ont été conduites en vue d’évaluer (1) les potentiels « positifs » des MOEx : (i) suivi de la minéralisation du carbone et de l'azote mesurée dans des conditions contrôlées pour une valorisation agronomique, (ii) détermination du pouvoir calorifique et du potentiel méthanogène pour une valorisation énergétique ; et (2) les potentiels « négatifs » des MOEx : (i) dénitrification potentielle et (ii) phytotoxicité en présence d’éléments trace métallique. Pour élaborer la typologie, la méthode SIRIS (Système d'Ingration des Risques par Interaction des Scores) a été appliquée pour formaliser les étapes d'une procédure logique menant à une classification des MOEx selon l'objectif de l'orientation de recyclage. La diversité des MOEx est illustrée à titre d'exemple par une large gamme des teneurs en (i) C (de 2 à 64 gC.100g-1MS), (ii) N (de 0,2 à 14gN.100g-1MS), (iii) P total (0,01 à 16gP.100g-1MS), K total (0,04 à 30 gK.100g-1MS). En prenant en compte l'ensemble des MOEx, les étalonnages des modèles SPIR sont acceptables pour la prédiction des teneurs en C, en N, en P et en K. Pour les potentiels « positifs » des MOEx (1) suivant les types de MOEx 102 à 955 kgMO.t-1MOEx pourraient être stockées dans le sol pour le maintien de la fertilité, (2) les pouvoirs calorifiques des MOEx varient de 7 à 28 MJ.kg-1MS et les potentiels méthanogènes vont de 69 à 488 NmlCH4.g-1MO. Quant aux potentiels négatifs, que ce soit pour les émissions de N2O ou pour la phytotoxicité des ETM, une forte interaction entre les propriétés du sol (pH, texture, …) avec les MOEx masque souvent certains effets. La méthode SIRIS a permis de classifier les MOEx selon un processus simple basé sur le classement de critères et de scores d'auto-pénalisation. Cette approche est intéressante en l'absence de données précises qui sont souvent difficiles à obtenir. L'aide des prédictions par la SPIR nous a été utile pour cette démarche d'orientation de la valorisation agronomique et/ou énergétique des MOEx. Des approches socio-économiques devraient compléter notre étude pour aboutir à l'orientation finale de valorisation des MOEx

Appropriate Sanitation And Integrated Coastal Management: An Ecologically-Based Human Waste Treatment System For Coastal Settlements On The Bahia De Navidad, Jalisoc State, Mexico

In this paper we present an overview of the global sanitation crisis and how it increasingly affects the planet\u27s heavily populated coastal zone. We note that the scarcity of water in many nations that do not have adequate sanitation infrastructure will forever preclude their adoption of the Western standard. We investigate alternatives to, in our view, a vastly wasteful conventional flush-and-discharge system, and how better engineered solutions can save water, enrich soil and contribute to the mitigation of global warming. Finally, we describe how this technology is being used in an integrated coastal zone management project on Mexico\u27s Pacific Coast in an effort to protect the richness of the area\u27s ocean bay and adjacent estuary, restore its freshwater lagoon and provide a model for other coastal areas likely to experience explosive tourism-generated growth in the future

Appropriate Sanitation And Integrated Coastal Management: An Ecologically-Based Human Waste Treatment System For Coastal Settlements On The Bahia De Navidad, Jalisoc State, Mexico

In this paper we present an overview of the global sanitation crisis and how it increasingly affects the planet\u27s heavily populated coastal zone. We note that the scarcity of water in many nations that do not have adequate sanitation infrastructure will forever preclude their adoption of the Western standard. We investigate alternatives to, in our view, a vastly wasteful conventional flush-and-discharge system, and how better engineered solutions can save water, enrich soil and contribute to the mitigation of global warming. Finally, we describe how this technology is being used in an integrated coastal zone management project on Mexico\u27s Pacific Coast in an effort to protect the richness of the area\u27s ocean bay and adjacent estuary, restore its freshwater lagoon and provide a model for other coastal areas likely to experience explosive tourism-generated growth in the future

Integrated Waste Management

This book reports research on policy and legal issues, anaerobic digestion of solid waste under processing aspects, industrial waste, application of GIS and LCA in waste management, and a couple of research papers relating to leachate and odour management

Carbonaceous soil amendments to reduce plant uptake of Cd in NZ’s agricultural systems

Cadmium (Cd) is a non‐essential trace element that accumulates in agricultural soils through the application of Cd-rich phosphate fertiliser and industrial activity. Plants can accumulate Cd to concentrations that sometimes exceed food safety standards presenting a human health risk. Cadmium is readily taken up by plants and can be transferred to grazing animals. In many agricultural systems, Cd concentrations in leafy vegetables and the offal products of grazing animals are at or above food safety standards. There is no practical means of removing Cd from contaminated agricultural soils. Various soil amendments have been used to reduce plant Cd-uptake, but these have mostly focused on heavily contaminated soils and mine tailings. This work aimed to determine whether low cost carbonaceous amendments could effectively reduce Cd uptake by crop plants in agricultural soils with moderate levels of Cd contamination. We used two contrasting market garden soils (a silt loam and a brown granular allophanic soil) for these experiments, where Cd concentrations in selected vegetables were occasionally above food safety standards (0.1 mg/kg fresh weight). Batch sorption experiments were used to determine the ability of the soils and potential soil amendments to bind Cd from a solution of 0.05M Ca(NO3)2. The sorption experiments revealed that composts and lignite bound an order of magnitude more Cd than soils and other potential soil amendments. For all materials, sorption increased with increasing pH of the ambient solution up to a pH of 7.5. Pot trials were used to determine the effect of various composts, lignite and lime on the uptake of Cd by spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), onion (Allium cepa L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). All composts, added at a rate of 2.5% or 5% (w/w) reduced plant Cd uptake by up to 60%. The composts did not induce a deficiency in the uptake of plant nutrients, including essential trace elements such as zinc, and copper. Composts invariably increased plant biomass. An incubation experiment, including treatments with increased temperature and nitrogen as well as regular disturbance, was used to determine the likely longevity of the Cd-immobilising properties of the composts. After one year of incubation, there was no significant release of Cd from the compost-amended soils, despite a significant reduction in soil carbon. A pot trial using incubated soil also revealed that the beneficial effects of compost for reducing plant Cd uptake persisted for at least one year. The results indicated that mechanical disturbance of the soil may have resulted in the dissolution / suspension of iron moieties that subsequently occluded Cd on the surfaces of soil colloids. Lignite generally reduced plant biomass and its effect on plant Cd-uptake was variable. In some cases, lignite caused a significant increase in plant Cd uptake. This was attributed to acidification, probably caused by oxidation of sulphide compounds in the lignite. Potentially, lignite-lime mixtures may be effective, however, the costs of lignite are significantly greater than composts. Using lime to increase the soil pH from 6.0 to 6.5 generally reduced the Cd concentration in soil solution and in vegetables. However, this effect was not consistent, with some treatments causing an increase in plant uptake. Moreover, liming significantly reduced the uptake of essential micronutrients, especially zinc, which offsets its usefulness as a tool to reduce Cd uptake. I conclude that biological wastes, especially composts, are an underutilised resource that can not only reduce plant Cd-uptake but also improve plant production. Future research should include field trials to determine the performance of Cd in field conditions as well as agronomic practicalities

Biochar as Soil Amendment: Impact on Soil Properties and Sustainable Resource Management

The role of biochar in improving soil fertility is increasingly being recognized and is leading to recommendations of biochar amendment of degraded soils. In addition, biochars offer a sustainable tool for managing organic wastes and to produce added-value products. The benefits of biochar use in agriculture and forestry can span enhanced plant productivity, an increase in soil C stocks, and a reduction of nutrient losses from soil and non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, biochar composition and properties and, therefore, its performance as a soil amendment are highly dependent on the feedstock and pyrolysis conditions. In addition, due to its characteristics, such as high porosity, water retention, and adsorption capacity, there are other applications for biochar that still need to be properly tested. Thus, the 16 original articles contained in this book, which were selected and evaluated for this Special Issue, provide a comprehensive overview of the biological, chemicophysical, biochemical, and environmental aspects of the application of biochar as soil amendment. Specifically, they address the applicability of biochar for nursery growth, its effects on the productivity of various food crops under contrasting conditions, biochar capacity for pesticide retention, assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, and soil carbon dynamics. I would like to thank the contributors, reviewers, and the support of the Agronomy editorial staff, whose professionalism and dedication have made this issue possible

End-of-waste criteria for biodegradable waste subjected to biological treatment (compost & digestate): Technical proposals

This report is the JRC-IPTS contribution to the development of the end-of-waste criteria for biodegradable waste subject to biological treatment (compost/digestate) in accordance with Article 6 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste (the Waste Framework Directive). This report includes a possible set of end-of-waste criteria and shows how the proposals were developed based on a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of the biodegradable waste derived compost/digestate production chain and an analysis of the economic, environmental and legal impacts when such compost/digestate ceases to be waste. The purpose of end-of-waste criteria is to avoid confusion about the waste definition and to clarify when certain waste that has undergone recovery ceases to be waste. Recycling should be supported by creating legal certainty and an equal level playing field and by removing unnecessary administrative burdens. The end-of-waste criteria should provide a high level of environmental protection and an environmental and economic benefit.JRC.J.5-Sustainable Production and Consumptio