Project R-14662

Towards Sustainable Soil Management: Optimising fertilisers through Engineering of Biochar-Phosphogypsum Composites (Research)

Soil pollution in Europe gets problematic proportions and requires urgent attention to mitigate the adverse effects of factors such as nitrogen surplus, erosion,.... One of the key factors is attributed to the excessive application of fertilizers, making the development and application of eco-friendly fertilizers essential for a transition towards sustainable agriculture. Biochar, resulting from the slow pyrolysis of biomass residues, has growth-promoting properties, improves soil's chemical and physical quality and has the capacity for carbon sequestration. However, concerns regarding its mobility, leaching and possible toxic chemical components came up. On the other hand, phosphogypsum (PG), a residual product of chemical fertilizer industry and partially applied in construction, emerges in agriculture as a soil ameliorator. Phosphogypsum can contain limited amounts of naturally occurring radionuclides (NORs). However, it may offer enhancing properties to the use of biochar in this field and vice versa. This study investigates the potential of biochar-PG composites for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this research aims to optimize their assembly in view of slow release nutrients supply and minimizing NORs and chemical pollutants release, and improving soil health.

01 January 2024 - 31 December 2027