Solid fraction of separated digestate as soil improver : implications for soil fertility and carbon sequestration

Purpose This study investigated the C and N mineralisation potential of solid fractions (SFs) from co-digestated pig manure after P-stripping (P-POOR SF) in comparison with P-rich SFs, as a means to estimate their organic matter stability in soil. Compost (COMP) and biochar (BCHR) (made from P-POOR SF) were also included in the study as reference biosolids. Methods The SFs were incubated in a sandy-loam soil under moist conditions to determine production of CO(2)and mineral N. At specified intervals, CO(2)evolution in the mixtures was measured via the alkali trap method and titration over a period of 81 days, while mineral N was measured using a flow analyser after KCl extraction over a period of 112 days. Results The various SFs showed similar patterns of C mineralisation (15-26% of added total C in 81 days) that were clearly higher than for COMP and BCHR (6% and 7%, respectively). Temporary N immobilisation was observed in biosolids with a high C/N ratio. The effective organic matter (EOM) of the SFs was calculated based on the C mineralisation data and varied between 130 and 369 kg Mg-1. Conclusions The SF with a reduced P content had a high EOM/P ratio which is beneficial in areas where P status of the soil is already high. Moreover, the N mineralisation patterns confirm that a high C/N ratio may also reduce risks for N leaching due to temporary N immobilisation

Future agriculture with minimized phosphorus losses to waters: research needs and direction

The series of papers in this issue of AMBIO represent technical presentations made at the 7th International Phosphorus Workshop (IPW7), held in September, 2013 in Uppsala, Sweden. At that meeting, the 150 delegates were involved in round table discussions on major, predetermined themes facing the management of agricultural phosphorus (P) for optimum production goals with minimal water quality impairment. The six themes were (1) P management in a changing world; (2) transport pathways of P from soil to water; (3) monitoring, modeling, and communication; (4) importance of manure and agricultural production systems for P management; (5) identification of appropriate mitigation measures for reduction of P loss; and (6) implementation of mitigation strategies to reduce P loss. This paper details the major challenges and research needs that were identified for each theme and identifies a future roadmap for catchment management that cost-effectively minimizes P loss from agricultural activities

Description of the phosphorus sorption and desorption processes in coarse calcareous sandy soils

In order to understand and predict the behavior of phosphorus (P) in calcareous sandy soils, sorption and desorption studies were carried out. Two main processes were distinguished: a fast, reversible phosphate reaction (within 1 day), which can be described by the Langmuir equation, and a precipitation reaction, which can be described by a time-dependent Freundlich equation. The maximum phosphate sorption capacity in the top 50 cm of the soil ranged from 3 to 6 t P2O5·ha-1. About 85% to 95% of the maximum amount of P bound was poorly soluble; the remaining portion of bound P determines the ortho-P concentration in soil solution under desorption conditions. The breakthrough curves of the two column experiments were described reasonably well by the proposed process description and the associated parameters, which were derived from batch experiments.</p

Report on regulations governing anaerobic digesters and nutrient recovery and reuse in EU member states

The regulatory framework governing anaerobic digestion and biogas production in EU Member States is arranged in European Policies, Regulations and Directives and by national legislation, which is based on European Policies and Directives. Consequently, we have organised the Regulatory Framework Report following the same structure. Chapter 1 deals with European Policies which are followed by European Regulations that must be enforced by all Member States as they are in chapter 2. Chapter 3 refers to European Directives which must be adopted by Member States but not literally. Directives typically stipulate a target but leave room for selecting the strategy and pathway by the Member State. Chapter 4 briefly deviates from legislation and provides - extracted from the EBA Annual Reports - statistical information on the regional development of electricity from biogas and biomethane production in Europe clearly showing Germany in the lead but higher recent dynamics regarding biomethane in France and Nordic countries. In chapter 5 the report returns to legislation in Member States, starting with comprehensive information on the countries with demonstration plants. Chapter 6 deals with legislation in countries with outreach plants and chapter 7, finally, gives an overview of all Member States

Phosphorus management in Europe in a changing world

Food production in Europe is dependent on imported phosphorus (P) fertilizers, but P use is inefficient and losses to the environment high. Here, we discuss possible solutions by changes in P management. We argue that not only the use of P fertilizers and P additives in feed could be reduced by fine-tuning fertilization and feeding to actual nutrient requirements, but also P from waste has to be completely recovered and recycled in order to close the P balance of Europe regionally and become less dependent on the availability of P-rock reserves. Finally, climate-smart P management measures are needed, to reduce the expected deterioration of surface water quality resulting from climate-change-induced P loss

Evaluatie van verwerkingsinstallaties voor mest en co-vergiste mest

This final report of the four-year PPS (public-private collaboration) project ‘Meerwaarde Mest en Mineralen 2 (More Value from Manure and Minerals 2): nutrient recovery from manure’ contains the evaluation of five large-scale installations for processing of animal manure or co-digested animal manure (digestate). The different processing techniques of the installations include hygienisation, solid-liquid separation, drying and pressing of the solid fraction and production of mineral concentrate and dischargeable water by means of membrane filtration and ion exchangers or by means of membrane filtration and biological treatment. Based on a performed monitoring of the installations the achieved separation efficiencies, (nutrient) mass balances, processing costs and composition, agronomic and environmental quality of the end products, have been evaluated. Also the environmental gains of processing were calculated via a simplified life cycle assessment (LCA). Moreover, the construction, monitoring and evaluation of an innovative installation which separates the solid fraction of co-digested animal manure into a phosphate (P) fertiliser and an organic low-P soil improver was a central part of the project. Finally, recommendations are given for environmentally beneficial adaptations of manure processing installations in the Netherlands

D1.4 Report on the nutrient imbalance analysis

In FERTIMANURE WP1 (FERTIMANURE framework), the animal manure value chain was evaluated by (i) analysing the current scenario in the on-farm experimental pilots, (ii) defining the current market situation of bio-based fertilizer products, and (iii) identifying the main barriers (i.e. politic, economic, social, environmental and legal). Task 1.4 (Regional nutrient imbalance analysis) aimed to review the literature of nutrient imbalances between regions in Europe to better predict where the nutrients recovered in FERTIMANURE can contribute in the long-term sustainability of production agriculture. Deliverable 1.4 (Report on the nutrient imbalances analysis, deadline M13) aims to understand if the need of nutrients for national agricultural production can be satisfied with only the recovery of nutrients derived from animal manure and other biomasses. Specifically, D1.4 reports the results of the nutrients imbalance analysis carried out in Task 1.4. The deliverable is structured as follows: • General introduction describing Task 1.4, the deliverable structure and the methodology used to perform the nutrients imbalances analysis; • Results analysis divided into chapters, one for each country; • Comparison of the results obtained with additional local data, when available; • Overall conclusions.H2020 (Grant no. 862849