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Contents
CONTENTS
Sustainable Use of Phosphorus in Asia
1
Preface ····························································· Hisao OHTAKE, Kazuyo MATSUBAE and Masaru YARIME
2
How Do You Spot a Trend? An Examination of Recent Phosphate Rock Production ········· David A. VACCARI
3
Phosphorus Flows in the Asian Region······· Elizabeth WEBECK, Kazuyo MATSUBAE, Kenichi NAKAJIMA,
Keisuke NANSAI and Tetsuya NAGASAKA
4
The Phosphorus Flow in China: Revisiting from the Perspective of Production ······················Minpeng CHEN,
Fun SUN, Xu XIA and Jining CHEN
5
Material Flow Analysis of Phosphorus in Taiwan ········ Yi-shin WANG, Pi-Cheng CHEN and Hwong-wen MA
6
Separation of Phosphate from Wastewater Using an Ion Exchanger Based on Chitosan
···················Ka-Young JUNG, Byungryul AN, Jae-Woo CHOI, Chanhyuk PARK and Sang-hyup LEE
7
Spatially Explicit Assessment of Nutrient Demands for Promoting Efficient Regional Fertilizer-use
Management in Vietnam ··········· Tien Minh TRAN, Thu Minh TRAN, Thu Bich NGUYEN and Quang Bao LE
8
Development and Implementation of Technologies for Recycling Phosphorus in Secondary
Resources in Japan ········································································ Hisao OHTAKE and Kenji OKANO
9
Issues and Policy Measures for Phosphorus Recycling from Sewage:
Lessons from Stakeholder Analysis of Japan ···························· Hideaki SHIROYAMA, Makiko MATSUO and
Masaru YARIME
10
Environmental Biotechnology for Efficient Utilization of Industrial Phosphite Waste
·································································································· Akio KURODA and Ryuichi HIROTA
11
Nutrient Use and Efficiency in East Asian Agriculture ····························· Shin-ichiro MISHIMA, Te-Kung OH,
Yung-Ha DUAN, Yilai LOU, Hong-Be YUN, Dong-Bae LEE, Minggang XU and Youn LEE.
12
Geology of P Rock in China: Distribution, Rock Type and Metallogenic Perspective
··················································································································Gang HE and Yongju ZHOU
13
Weight of Land Use for Phosphorus Fertilizer Production in Japan in Terms of Total Material Requirement
······················································Eiji YAMASUE, Kazuyo MATSUBAE and Keiichi N. ISHIHARA
14
Situation and Novel Approach for Sustainable Phosphorus Recovery: A Case Study of Thailand
······························································· T. KOOTTATEP, S.K. CHAPAGAIN and C. POLPRASERT
Preface
1
Preface
Phosphorus (P) is one of the most critical elements of biological building blocks and plays a crucial role in the
cellular energy metabolism of all living organisms. Since no other element can substitute for P in biochemical
processes, humans ultimately rely on P availability. Modern farming is reliant on fertilizers derived from phosphate
(Pi) to enhance agricultural production in soils. Therefore, P availability is critical to our present and future food
security. Moreover, P is an essential element in industry, widely used as an important raw material for a variety of
industrial products, including electronics, chemical catalysts, food additives, flame retardants and pharmaceuticals.
Asia, the world’s largest continent, with 60% of the current population, is now the largest consumer of Pi rock and
fertilizer. The two most populous countries, China and India, are the largest consumers of P fertilizers, commanding
about 60% of global consumption. Furthermore, Asia's rapid growth and fast economic development are increasingly
boosting P demand in the region. Although China holds large Pi rock reserves, large parts of Asia are almost totally
dependent on imports of P from other countries., South Asia, in particular, accounts for the largest global share of Pi
rock imports, at approximately 25%. Since P use in Asia can have enormous leverage over global food security, a solid
understanding of P flows, fertilizer applications and the implementation of P recycling in Asia is critical for achieving
global P sustainability in the future.
This special issue deals with the sustainable use of P in East and South Asian countries, including China, Korea,
Taiwan R.O.C., Vietnam, Thailand and Japan. China is the largest producer and consumer of P in the world. Korea,
Taiwan R.O.C. and Japan are relatively large consumers, almost entirely depending on imported P. The growth
potential for Asia’s fertilizer industry is highest in Thailand and Vietnam.
Most of the contributions to this special issue are extended versions of papers presented at the 1st and 2nd
International Workshops on Sustainable P Governance from Asian Perspectives. The workshops were held at Tohoku
University, Sendai, Japan, on May 28, 2012 and at Keio University, Yokohama, Japan, on November 20, 2012. They
were organized by Dr. Kazuyo Matsubae and Prof. Tetsuya Nagasaka of Tohoku University and were supported by
Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and JST-RISTEX. The papers have been significantly expanded in content by the
authors to highlight emerging issues involving P use in Asia.
This special issue is the first collection of papers dealing with sustainable P use from Asian perspectives. We
would like to express our great appreciation to those who contributed to the success of the workshops and this special
issue. We would also like to show our sincere gratitude to Professor Hiroyoshi Higuchi of Keio University and the
editorial board members of this journal for giving us the opportunity to guest-edit this special issue. Last, but not least,
we wish to thank Mrs. Ryoko Morimoto, who helped us publish this special issue. We hope that this issue will prove
to be a valuable reference and provide perspective on sustainable P use in Asia.
Hisao OHTAKE
Kazuyo MATSUBAE
Masaru YARIME
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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2
How Do You Spot a Trend?
An Examination of Recent Phosphate Rock Production
David A. VACCARI, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE
Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030 U.S.A.
*e-mail: dvaccari@stevens.edu
0
Abstract
This work examines recent historical phosphate rock production and identifies possible trends. There are
difficulties in identifying trends from short time-series, that are described herein. Statistical analysis alone
cannot definitively identify a trend, but the results can be supported by information on sources of increasing
global demand.
A bilinear model was developed that shows global per-capita phosphate rock production to have been
essentially steady from 1993 to 2006, at an average of 22.58 kilograms per year. Since 2007 there has been
strong growth at an average annual rate of 5.1 percent per year. This, combined with an annual population
growth rate of 1.14 percent, yields a growth rate in total phosphate rock production of 6.3 percent per year.
Even if further growth in per-capita production were to be linear at current rates and not exponential,
total global phosphate rock production would have to increase by a factor of 3.6 to satisfy demand by the year
2050. Regardless of whether such an increase could be expected to continue to this extent, this increase should
provide motivation to begin implementing significant conservation measures. Underlying drivers of
per-capita demand suggest that strong growth is likely to continue.
Key words: firecast, per capita, Phosphorus, production, trends
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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3
Phosphorus Flows in the Asian Region
Elizabeth WEBECK1, Kazuyo MATSUBAE1*, Kenichi NAKAJIMA2,
Keisuke NANSAI2 and Tetsuya NAGASAKA3
*1
Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
6-6-11-1005 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
2
National Institute of Environmental Studies
3
Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
*e-mail: matsubae@m.tohoku.ac.jp
Abstract
In just about every aspect of life, dependency can be equated with vulnerability, and in the case of
phosphorus, this vulnerability potentially puts whole nations at significant risk. Phosphorus is vital in the
semi-conductor industry, the automobile industry, the fertilizer industry and all aspects of agriculture.
With one third of the world’s population housed in Asia and the numbers steadily rising, the demand for
phosphorus is growing rapidly. The cultural shifts and changes in consumption that come with economic
improvements and urbanization throughout Asia are pushing the demand for phosphorus to grow at an
ever faster rate. Confidence that the rising populations of Asia will have sufficient food in the future can
only come from the knowledge that the necessary phosphorus will be readily available. In order to ensure
this and to ensure industry will have the phosphorus it requires, it is essential to understand the flow of
phosphorus in the region and the nature and risks associated with phosphorus dependence.
Key words: Asia, dependency, international trade, virtual phosphorus
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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4
The Phosphorus Flow in China:
Revisiting from the Perspective of Production
Minpeng CHEN1*, Fun SUN2, Xu XIA and Jining CHEN2
1*
Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Zhongguancun South Street No. 12, Beijing, China, 100081
2
School of Environment, Tsinghua University
Tsinghua Park Road, Beijing, China, 100084
*e-mail: chenmp@ami.ac.cn; minpeng.chen@gmail.com
1
2
Abstract
As phosphorus is one of three nutrients essential for plant growth, global phosphorus (P) scarcity and
sustainable P management are emerging as two of greatest challenges humans face in the 21st century. China,
as the biggest producer and consumer of phosphate fertilizer, exerts a profound influence on the sustainability
of global P flows. This paper depicts the static P flow in China in 2012 from a production perspective,
including the mining and extraction of phosphate rock (PR) ores, production of intermediate and end-use
products, and waste discharge. The results show that, with the second largest P mining resources in the world,
China is also confronting a serious P scarcity problem. It is predicted that the current P reserve can only
sustain the next three generations in China. In 2012, 1 gram of P consumed domestically in China requires 2
grams of P extraction throughout the production chain, and the life-cycle P-use efficiency (PUE) is much
higher than those for the food production systems in China, the United States and the world. The P supply
chain also produced 2369 gigagrams of P waste in 2012, and only 20 percent of the wastes were recycled.
Current recycling activities, however, lock in the P instead of recovering it, which does not serve the purpose
of mitigating P scarcity.
Key words: China, elemental phosphorus, phosphorus flow, production, wet-process phosphoric acid
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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5
Material Flow Analysis of Phosphorus in Taiwan
Yi-shin WANG, Pi-Cheng CHEN and Hwong-wen MA*
Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University,
71 Chou-Shan Road, Taipei, Taiwan 106
*e-mail: hwma@ntu.edu.tw
Abstract
Phosphorus is a substance essential to living organisms and has been widely used in industries and
agriculture. The phosphate rock consumed, however, is nonrenewable. To use phosphorus more sustainably, it
will be necessary to have better knowledge of phosphorus flows. This study aims to explore phosphorus flows
at national and local scales. Exploration at the national scale was examined to get a picture of the overall
consumption, whereas local exploration was examined to find a way of using phosphorus sustainably. Hence,
the spatial scope of the inventory analysis in this study is Taiwan (national scale) and a farm in Chiayi County
(local scale), a major district with high fertilizer consumption.
The results indicate that crop production and livestock farming have been the major processes associated
with huge phosphorus flows and these two activities have also delivered the most phosphorus throughput into
waste streams. In Taiwan, all phosphate rocks are imported, and part of their phosphorus constituents are
exported with products. Phosphorus has been accumulating in the soil and hydrosphere, especially in
sediment. An examination of the sinks in the environment shows that adding phosphorus stock to the sinks has
resulted in serious environmental impacts such as eutrophication. Nevertheless, phosphorus chemicals are a
crucial input for several industries that contribute greatly to Taiwan’s GDP. Therefore, society will be at risk
when the phosphorus supply falls short in the future. The results of our analysis provide some visions of
sustainable phosphorus management.
Key words: agriculture, phosphorus, phosphorus management, substance flow analysis
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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6
Separation of Phosphate from Wastewater
Using an Ion Exchanger Based on Chitosan
Ka-Young JUNG1, Byungryul AN1, Jae-Woo CHOI1, Chanhyuk PARK1 and
Sang-hyup LEE1,2*
1
Korea Institute of Science and Technology,
Hwarang-ro 14-gil 5, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea
2
Graduate School of Convergence Green Technology and Policy, Korea University,
Seoul 136-701, Republic of Korea
*email: yisanghyup@kist.re.kr
Abstract
Phosphate is a key contaminant that induces eutrophication in rivers, ponds and reservoirs. To control
phosphate from wastewater, we developed a chitosan-bead-based ion exchanger with immobilizing Cu2+ by
changing the initial conditions, and investigated its efficiency in phosphate removal from solutions. The initial
concentrations of chitosan, acid and base that maintained bead shape were determined to be 2.5 percent (w/w)
of chitosan, 1 percent (v/v) of HCl, and 1M NaOH. An additional step of crosslinking reduced the uptake
(efficiency) up to 10 percent due to the loss of the active amino group site. Phosphate removal efficiency was
proportionally affected by copper uptake, with 5000 milligrams of copper per liter providing stable physical
strength. The maximum phosphate uptake was 89 milligrams per gram, fitted with the Langmuir equation.
When 10 percent NaCl was used for regenerating, the regeneration efficiency was gradually reduced from 75
percent to 40 percent through seven cycles.
Key words: chitosan bead, eutrophication, phosphate
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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7
Spatially Explicit Assessment of Nutrient Demands for Promoting
Efficient Regional Fertilizer-use Management in Vietnam
Tien Minh TRAN1*, Thu Minh TRAN1, Thu Bich NGUYEN2 and
Quang Bao LE3
1
Soils and Fertilizers Research Institute, Dong Ngac, Tu Liem, Hanoi, Vietnam
Southern Soils and Fertilizers Research Centre, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
3
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Institution for Environmental Decisions (IED),
Natural and Social Science Interface (NSSI),
Universitaestrasse 22, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
*e-mail address: tranminhtien74@yahoo.com
2
3
Abstract
To promote future food production, a transition to efficient use of fertilizers will be necessary, and a wide
range of stakeholders will need to know the nutrient demands for meeting crop yield potentials within each
agricultural region. Knowledge of the spatial patterns of nutrient demands, however, is often deficient in
developing countries. Thus, this study has two objectives: to assesses the nutrient demands of potential crop
productions in two intensive agricultural regions in Vietnam (i.e., Dong Nai and Bac Ninh provinces), and to
provide public access to the outputs. We calculated nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)
requirements for reaching crop yield potentials over the farmlands of the two provinces, taking the soil
nutrient balance into account. The balance was determined with consideration of natural nutrient supplies
(e.g., from soils), and different natural nutrient losses (e.g., volatilization, erosion, leaching and runoff crops’
uptake with different fertilizer use efficiency). The results are spatially explicit, presented at a map scale of
1:100,000, and managed by a web-based geographic information system (GIS). Web-based GIS allows lay
users to query the results at different levels of aggregation (i.e., farm, commune, district and province) in an
interactive and iterative manner.
Key words: nutrient supply and demand, potential crop yield, soil nutrient balance, web-based GIS
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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8
Development and Implementation of Technologies for Recycling
Phosphorus in Secondary Resources in Japan
Hisao OHTAKE and Kenji OKANO
Department of Biotechnology, Osaka University,
Yamada-oka 2-1, Suita-shi, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan
*e-mail: hohtake@bio.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp
Abstract
The recovery of phosphorus (P) from secondary resources is critical to closing the anthropogenic P loop.
The recovered P should be recycled effectively for agricultural and industrial purposes without jeopardizing
human health and the environment. Although various technologies are potentially applicable to P recovery
and recycling, their implementation remains hindered by socioeconomic factors such as insufficient policy
support, an immature market for recovered P and a lack of public awareness. Recently, Japan has adopted
good practices in recycling P in secondary resources despite these hindrances. Japan’s experience may
provide a clue on how to develop and implement technologies for P recovery and recycling, even if the legal,
social and economic structures are not fully developed for the security of future P supplies.
Key words: phosphorus recovery, phosphorus recycling, sustainable use of phosphorus
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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9
Issues and Policy Measures for Phosphorus Recycling from Sewage:
Lessons from Stakeholder Analysis of Japan
Hideaki SHIROYAMA1* Makiko MATSUO1 and Masaru YARIME1,2
Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo,
7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
2
Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, University College London,
36 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6EY, United Kingdom
*e-mail: siroyama@j.u-tokyo.ac.jp
１
Abstract
While some local governments push ahead with recycling phosphorus from wastewater, there has been
little progress nationwide. In this study, we analyzed the perceptions and interest of each stakeholder in this
issue by conducting interviews to assess recycling approaches. In comparison with recycling in other fields,
for instance, industrial materials recycling, the stakeholders involved in phosphorus recycling are far more
diverse. This makes it more difficult to coordinate their behaviour. Based on interviews with a wide range of
stakeholders, we identified seven dimensions that they consider vital for promoting phosphorus recycling:
environment, cost, image, transaction stability, distribution, quantity and quality. Key challenges will be to
develop technologies to slash costs, form dosho-imu alliances for simultaneous achievement of multiple
objectives, and make bargaining arrangements among local governments, fertilizer manufacturers and cement
producers to secure stable volumes.
Key words: Japan, phosphorus, recycle, sewage, stakeholder analysis
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19/2015
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10
Environmental Biotechnology for Efficient Utilization of
Industrial Phosphite Waste
Akio KURODA* and Ryuichi HIROTA
Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Hiroshima University,
1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8530, Japan
*e-mail: akuroda@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Abstract
Phosphorus recycling is essential for the sustainable future of humanity. Phosphite (Pt), a salt of
phosphorous acid (H3PO3), is a waste product of the chemical and automotive industries. Pt has to be oxidized
to phosphate (Pi) prior to phosphorus recycling. Pt dehydrogenase (PtxD), catalyzing the oxidation of Pt to Pi
with concomitant reduction of NAD+ to NADH, could have a number of applications in the efficient
utilization of Pt waste. However, the PtxD isolated originally showed both thermosensitivity and mostly
insoluble expression in an E. coli recombinant, limiting the practical application of this enzyme. To overcome
this problem, we obtained a stable and solubly expressed PtxD from a thermotolerant Pt-oxidizing bacterium.
Here we describe three emerging applications of PtxD in (i) an NADH regeneration system, (ii) a dominant
selection system for recombinant microorganisms, and (iii) Pt fertilization in plants. Firstly, an NADH
regeneration system is necessary for the production of industrially important chemicals by oxidoreductive
enzymes. Stable PtxD with Pt as a reducing reagent could find practical use as an NADH regeneration system.
We demonstrated production of a chiral compound using a PtxD-driven NADH regeneration system.
Secondly, selective cultivation of microorganisms is important to the production of medical and chemical
compounds and renewable biofuels. Transfection with ptxD allows selective growth of microorganisms on a
medium containing Pt as the sole phosphorus source. Pt could be used as an alternative to antibiotics in
large-scale cultivation of ptxD-recombinant microorganisms. Finally, direct utilization of Pt as a fertilizer
would be the most cost-effective method for the recycling of Pt waste. However, Pi is the only chemical form
of phosphorus that can be assimilated by plants. We and another group demonstrated that ptxD-recombinant
plants can directly utilize Pt fertilizer. These new environmental biotechnologies could contribute to efficient
utilization of Pt waste.
Key words: DNA recombinant, environmental biotechnology, fertilizer, phosphite, phosphite dehydrogenase,
phosphorus recycling, selection system, weed-control
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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11
Nutrient Use and Efficiency in East Asian Agriculture
Shin-ichiro MISHIMA1*, Te-Kung OH2, Yung-Ha DUAN3, Yilai LOU3,
Hong-Be YUN2, Dong-Bae LEE2, Minggang XU3 and Youn LEE2
*1
National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
2
National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea
3
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
*e-mail: shin@affrc.go.jp
4
Abstract
To determine the available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) resource budgets
(application minus plant uptake), we obtained data on inorganic fertilizers and livestock manure from
statistical yearbooks for Japan, the Republic of Korea (hereafter, Korea) and China. Uptake of N, P and K via
crop production was also calculated using national nutrient content factors. From the budget and crop
production data, we calculated the N, P and K surpluses and use efficiencies. Japan used too much P, Korea
balanced its use of inorganic fertilizer but needed to improve manure use, and China had high nutrient inputs
and outputs in crop yield. To improve nutrient use efficiency and decrease the surplus, we set some guidelines,
such as N, P and K output by crop yield should be more than 60%, 40% and 75% of applied inorganic fertilizer
plus manure, respectively, or inorganic N fertilizer application level should be around half of crop yield, with
the effectiveness of organic P and K as 100% of inorganic P and K fertilizers. Based on this analysis, we found
that Japan should apply inorganic P fertilizer primarily to compensate for soil P deficiency, Korea should
develop forage crop production and build recycling pathways within the country, and China should reduce its
excessive use of N to reduce the N content of crops.
Key words: East Asia, nitrogen, nutrient balance, nutrient use efficiency, phosphorus, potassium
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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12
Geology of P Rock in China: Distribution, Rock Type and
Metallogenic Perspective
Gang HE* and Yongju ZHOU
Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences
Lumo Rd. 388, Hongshan District Wuhan City, 430074, Hubei Prov. P.R. China
*e-mail: gh6321@139.com
5
Abstract
Phosphate rock (PR) is an important strategic material that provides the non-renewable elemental
resource phosphorus (P). From a geoscience perspective, PR can actually be seen as a special rock rich in
elemental P. Many studies have reported on P rock distribution, but few have studied the determinants of
phosphate ore distributions to provide a geologic metallogenic perspective. This paper reviews research on
the origin and geological features of phosphate ore resources and their mineralogical distribution in China,
introduces the main P-bearing rock types and/or deposits in China, and provides a good understanding of the
mode of occurrence, geological setting and phosphogenesis of China's phosphate resources. It will priovide
invaluable help in the search for, and exploitation of, new P resources in China.
Key words: China, geology, metallogenic perspective, phosphate resources, phosphate rock, rock type
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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13
Weight of Land Use for Phosphorus Fertilizer Production in Japan
in Terms of Total Material Requirement
Eiji YAMASUE1*, Kazuyo MATSUBAE2 and Keiichi N. ISHIHARA1
1
Kyoto University
Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
2
Tohoku University
Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan
*e-mail: yamasue@energy.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Abstract
The impact of land use for fertilizer production was evaluated in terms of total material requirement
(TMR), with a central focus on phosphorus fertilizers. Three different ammonium phosphates, along with
calcium superphosphate, fused magnesium phosphate, magnesium multi-phosphate and high analysis
compound fertilizer were selected as phosphorus fertilizers. For comparison, nitrogen fertilizers such as urea,
nitrolime, ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride; and potassic fertilizers such as potassium sulfate and
potassium chloride were chosen as well. Two types of functional units were considered: one was 1 kg of the
target fertilizer production and the other was 1 kg of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5), nitrogen (N), and/or
potassium oxide (K2O). The system boundaries were set from mining to fertilizer production, and all the
direct and indirect inputs and hidden flows such as tailings and waste rocks were considered. The TMRs of
fertilizers ranged from 5 to 23 kg/kg. It was found that phosphorus fertilizers excluding calcium
superphosphate and fused magnesium phosphate showed higher TMR than nitrogen and potassic fertilizers.
Annual TMR with respect to fertilizer usage in Japan, which is defined as the product of estimated TMR and
each amount of fertilizer used in Japan in 2012, indicated that phosphorus fertilizers occupy about 69% of the
total TMR, with high analysis compound fertilizer and ammonium phosphate in the majority. The TMR and
life cycle carbon dioxide (LCCO2) were found to be different indicators. Case studies were examined in which
improvements in phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid production were considered. The improvement in
phosphoric acid production was found to be more effective at reducing the TMR of phosphorus fertilizers.
Finally, the following equation was proposed for simple estimation of diverse phosphorus, nitrogen and
potassium-based fertilizers:
TMR = 2 + 0.34 [%P2O5] + 0.15 [%N] + 0.098 [%K2O]
Key words: nitrogen fertilizer, phosphoric acid, phosphorus fertilizer, potassic fertilizer,
total material requirement
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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14
Situation and Novel Approach for Sustainable Phosphorus Recovery:
A Case Study of Thailand
T. KOOTTATEP1*, S.K. CHAPAGAIN1 and C. POLPRASERT2
1
Environmental Engineering and Management, Asian Institute of Technology,
Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
2
Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University,
Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Abstract
Phosphorous (P) is an essential nutrient for plant growth. Natural P reserves are being exhausted at an
alarming rate due to the intensive use of P as a fertilizer. Globally, 170 million tons of P fertilizer is used
annually, with 0.41 million tons (P2O5) per year used in Thailand. The extent of P use is ever rising since food
production needs to increase to feed the ever increasing world population. Since P is a finite resource, its
sustainable use has become imperative and remains a major challenge these days. Domestic wastewaters are
rich in P levels, which are usually being lost from recycling due to the absence of appropriate P recovery
techniques. It is estimated that more than 40,000 tons of P could be recovered annually from domestic
wastewater in Thailand. P recovery has been discussed for decades, but actual application of technology is
still lagging. Among various reasons, development of P-recovery technology has mainly focused on sewers
and centralized wastewater treatment systems, which are not as suitable in the context of developing countries,
where non-sewer or onsite sanitation systems predominate. An electrochemical method is being developed for
P recovery from effluents of onsite and small-scale waste water treatment systems. In addition, the current
practice of draining domestic greywater directly into ditches or water bodies in Thailand, and potentially in
other developing countries, needs to be changed since it contains significant amounts of P. It is recommended
that greywater be drained through onsite treatment systems fitted with P recovery units before being
discharged.
Key words: electrochemical precipitation, fertilizer, greenhouse gases, phosphorous recovery
Global Environmental Research
19/2015
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©2015 AIRIES