The June issue of Scientific American Magazine features an article by David A. Vaccari discussing the potential for a phosphorus famine. For article click here. Phosphorus supplies maybe exhausted by the end of this century. Today, four countries hold 83 percent of the world’s phosphorus reserves and account for two-thirds of the world’s annual production. The countries are the U.S., China, South Africa, and Morocco. Because the U.S. no longer mines enough phosphorus to meet its demand, last year’s oil price swings may show what is ahead for farmers in the future as phosphorus supplies dwindle. Because we are running out of easy to access supplies of phosphorus, the article looks at ways to conserve or reuse phosphorus.
The article does discuss ways to conserve or reuse phosphorus. The approaches include: features an article by David A. Vaccari discussing the potential for a phosphorus famine. For article
We can reduce fertilizer usage through more efficient agricultural practices such as terracing and no-till farming to diminish erosion [see “No-Till: The Quiet Revolution,” by David R. Huggins and John P. Reganold; Scientific American, July 2008]. The inedible biomass harvested with crops, such as stalks and stems, should be returned to the soil with its phosphorus, as should animal waste (including bones) from meat and dairy production, less than half of which is now used as fertilizer.Other examples included treating wastewater and human waste to recover phosphorus.
Posted: 06/03/09
