Phosphate acceptance map: A novel approach to match phosphorus content of biosolids with land and crop requirements

摘要

Phosphorus is a key irreplaceable nutrient that plays a major role in crop nutrition. The mineral form of phosphorus fertiliser is a mined resource and its supply comes predominantly from geopolitically sensitive parts of the world. A renewable source of phosphorus such as biosolids therefore offers a sustainable option. Nevertheless, continuous application of biosolids needs to be managed to ensure that soil is not saturated with nutrients which can then become a cause for concern in terms of enrichment of water bodies in the event of an erosion. Existing field trials have demonstrated the efficacy of biosolids as phosphorus fertiliser to meet crop demand whilst maintaining an environmentally safe amount in the soil. However, field trials are expensive, and an alternative would be a geospatial tool that builds on such information to act as a decision support tool to determine suitability of land to receive biosolids whilst ensuring that phosphorus levels are in environmentally safe limits.