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In Western France, farmers are experimenting with non -traditional fertilizers: dust from seaweed in wastewater.
The results are encouraged: when mixed with mineral fertilizers, this product of biological origin can reduce their use to 25%, without reducing productivity.
“We have grown unicellular algae in dairy waste from the food treatment plant,” explains Orhan Grignon, an agricultural and environmental consultant in an agricultural chamber, manipulation.
“Halfs feed on organic matter of liquid waste, turning it into a biomass of vegetables. Then we dehydrate this biomass and break it into the fields as a fertilizer, since they are naturally rich in nitrogen. ”
Tests made on wheat premises compared powder of algae with mineral fertilizers and other organic products. Verdict: only algae cannot be compared with mineral fertilizers.
But in combination with them, it gives the same results, reducing the use of fossil fertilizers One quarter.
However, there are problems. Unlike mineral fertilizers, which immediately release nitrogen and easy to use, algae powder works slower.
“His leadership requires forecasting and know more than farmers,” Grignon says. However, his potential is clear. And since it is dehydrated, it can be easily transported and used in areas where wastewater scattering, another organic fertilizer, is limited.
The tests were carried out as part of Walnut, a European program aimed at giving a second life to grated water.
“Our main goal is to process various types of liquid waste, such as industrial wastewater, urban wastewater or jumping,” explains Corona Ensinas, the Francisco program coordinator. “Using a circular approach, not only reduces the load on the pollution of these processes, but also increases the value of the nutrients contained in them, -useing these nutrients as organic fertilizers in agriculture.”
A very promising example is given from Urens in Northern Spain, where one of the most advanced water supply in Europe is located.
Here, technical specialists and researchers use the restoration of nutrients on a large scale.
“This installation of almost 30,000 square meters arrives more than 600 liters of urban wastewater every second,” explains Alisia Gonzalez Mihez, the project manager in Cetaqua.
“Here, water from fountains, shells and toilets passes through advanced cleaning before returning to the river. But we not only remove harmful compounds – we also restore valuable nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. ”
Traditionally, nitrogen fertilizers are made by processes that consume a huge amount of energy and radiate greenhouse gases.
In Ulsa, this nitrogen comes from the residues remaining after the silt processing. “This residual current is very rich in nitrogen, which is a necessary nutrient for plants,” explains Cecilia Lores Fernandez, a researcher in Cetack. “We restore this nitrogen using a zeolite layer, and then remove it with sodium hydroxide to create a basic current, which we ultimately turn into ammonium sulfate for agricultural fields.”
With the growth of global demand for nitrogen, he adds: “This technology can provide an alternative to the usual production, which is based on the processes of polluting and energy processes.”
By restoring nutrients and the development of fertilizers of biological origin, Europe can reduce its dependence on imports, reduce environmental impact and increase the stability of its power systems.
Although additional research is required to optimize these products, the first results show Real opportunities. From algae growing at the wastewater factory to nitrogen extracted from the bourgeoisie, these innovations show the future where we are washing, can help the continent, closing the cycle between waste and food.