Production Of Mineral Fertilizers Research Articles

Integration of geoelectric methods and remote sensing in assessing the environment state in the area of impact of ecologically hazardous objects

Relevance. The need for comprehensive assessment of environmental components in the zones of ecologically hazardous industrial facilities impact, which enables to operatively identify the spatial structure of technogenic pollution. Aim. Chemical pollution assessment of the geological environment in the zones of industrial objects impact, based on the combined use of remote sensing and ground-based geoelectric methods. Objects. Sources of pollution during the production of mineral fertilizers (phosphogypsum dumps, sulfur storage). Methods. The author has developed a complex of methods, consisting of multispectral space imaging (Sentinel-2 satellite images) and ground-based geoelectric researches: water surface resistivity measurements, natural electric field potential imaging, vertical electrical sounding. According to satellite image data (vegetation indices NDVI, NBR, SWVI), technogenic geosystems modifications are distinguished, characterizing different levels of chemical pollution (TM-1, TM-2 and natural geosystem). Within the modification zones, geoelectrical studies are carried out to assess the depth of contamination. Results. In the zone of phosphogypsum dumps impact, two technogenic modifications were distinguished, with a total area of 83.3 hectares, characterized by a statistically significant decrease in the values of vegetation indices compared to the average level. Based on the results of vertical electrical sounding, it was established that the depth of contamination in the TM-1 zone reaches up to 20 m, in the TM-2 zone – up to 2.5 m. The migration of contaminated substances from the dumps occurs with surface drain. In the zone of impact of the sulfur storage, the area of pollution, specified with vegetation indices, covers two hectares. According to the results of the natural electric field method and vertical electrical sounding, the flow of pollution from the sulfur storage site penetrates into groundwater, which is discharged in the TM-1 zone, causing the death of vegetation. In the TM-2 zone, contamination is registered only in the ground aquifer. The developed set of methods enables to quickly and relatively comprehensively diagnose the state of the undergoing technogenic impacts geological environment.

Life cycle assessment of sewage sludge treatment: Comparison of pyrolysis with traditional methods in two Swedish municipalities

To achieve a closed nutrient cycle and more sustainable food production, enhanced nutrient recycling in the agri-food system is a necessity. Pyrolysis is an emerging technology to recycle the nutrient content of sewage sludge. The produced biochar can be used to reduce the need for mineral fertilizers; in addition, pyrolysis can also handle potential pollutants such as microplastics and pathogens present in sewage sludge. In this research, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out to determine the environmental impact of sewage sludge pyrolysis as an alternative to current practices of two different cases of sewage sludge treatment in two municipalities in Sweden. The results indicated that avoiding mineral fertilizer production by using biochar has a significant influence on the environmental benefits. Furthermore, it showed that an integrated system of anaerobic digestion followed by pyrolysis could perform as the most environmental-friendly option for sewage sludge treatment with a lower risk of transferring pollution to the soil.

Development of mechanization of dairy cattle rearing in Russia and the Soviet Union in the first half of the twentieth century

The study aimed to look into how dairy cattle rearing in Russia and the USSR got technical and technological support in the first half of the twentieth century. At the start of the 20th century, two-thirds of Russian agriculture were small peasant farms. They used manual labor and did not need the costly machines. The consolidation of farms was very slow. Yet it laid the foundation for a shift to mechanized livestock production. The First World War, which began in 1914, followed by the Revolution and the Civil War halted for years the technical development of Russia's agricultural production. In late 20s, the Soviet Union already faced the challenge of producing more agricultural goods. This increase could be possible by starting highly mechanized agricultural enterprises. By 1931, “Soyuzselstroy”, an All-Union Agricultural Construction Association, had prepared standard designs of dairy cattle farms for 100 and 200 heads. They provided for mechanization of main processes of cow housing and care. In 1930-1940, scientists and engineers of the All-Union Institute of Mechanization (VIM) and its branches undertook the creation of cattle farming machinery. This period saw the development and manufacture of a number of machines that made livestock farmers labor easier. The work on setting standards for designing the cow barns started. By 1939, VIM had designed a system of machines and test edit in collective farms. The need for specialized organizations to help collective farms to install and put into operation the livestock equipment became evident. At the same time, training of agricultural engineers started in Leningrad, Moscow and other USSR cities. A Decree by the Council of People's Commissars of the Soviet Union dated July 8, 1939, set a delivery plan of machines and units for livestock farming in 1940. Thus, by 1941 the conditions were created for integrated mechanization of main labor-intensive processes in national animal husbandry. Those days agricultural ecology was not in the focus. With no widespread production of mineral fertilizers in place, application of all manure to soil posed no environmental risk.

Перспективы исследований фосфогипса как материала для строительства

Objective: analytical investigation of the potential use of hemihydrate (CaSO4 · 0.5H2O) and dihydrate (CaSO4 · 2H2O) calcium sulfate — phosphogypsum — a waste in the production of mineral fertilizers, as a construction material for the construction of roads, soil structures, material for the restoration of roads in the areas of repair of utility networks, as well as unloading of developed landfills for the storage of waste from processing phosphorus ores of chemical enterprises operating in the Russian Federation. Methods: analysis of the current situation at landfills of industrial enterprises, analysis of the knowledge of the issue of utilization and processing of phosphogypsum, as well as analytical (calculation) assessment of the possibility of replacing bulk materials (sand, crushed stone) with phosphogypsum common in construction. Results: this article discusses issues related to the assessment of the possibility of using phosphogypsum with a decrease in its local concentration in the zones of its application, as well as with the use of waste stored at landfills for many years. The considered options for prospective use of the material, which make it possible not only to preserve, but also to increase the operational characteristics of roads and other soil structures, while eliminating the potentially harmful effect of the material during operation associated with its dusting during storage. Practical significance: analysis of the current situation indicates that due to the active production in the Russian Federation, a huge amount of waste from such production — phosphogypsum — accumulates on the territory of industrial enterprises engaged in the processing of phosphorus ores and landfills assigned to these enterprises. The annual utilization of phosphogypsum at such enterprises is estimated at hundreds of thousands and millions of tons — huge dumps are formed, which pose a danger both from the point of view of groundwater pollution and from the point of view of man-made safety. With such large volumes of concentrated storage, the volumes of substances entering the soil and groundwater may repeatedly exceed the permissible values, but at the same time, with a lower concentration, the ingress of these substances into the soil may not only not harm the environment, but also have a positive effect in terms of increasing yield. The use of waste from such production facilities in road construction will solve the problems associated with the disposal of phosphogypsum.

Uranium Dissemination with Phosphate Fertilizers Globally: A Systematic Review with Focus on East Africa

Growing concern has been expressed about uranium (U) accumulation in agricultural soils caused by the long-term application of mineral fertilizers. More than 80% of naturally occurring U transfers from phosphate rock (PR), the raw material used in mineral fertilizer production, to phosphorus (P) fertilizers. These fertilizers are then distributed on agricultural soils, where the U could accumulate over time and become a risk to the environment. The objective of this work was to review the reported content of U in P fertilizers, its potential dispersion in soils, and its uptake by plants in different countries in the world as reported in the literature. The articles for this systematic review were selected from the Scopus database published between 2003 and 2022. The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol were used. A total of 54 articles were assessed based on the standard inclusion and exclusion criteria. U concentrations in P fertilizers, agricultural soil dissemination, and plant uptake for available data were obtained and assessed. In order to compare a set of related data from the collected articles, box and whisker plots showing the distribution of U in P fertilizers are presented by region. The results from the reviewed articles show that the U concentrations in P fertilizer were in the range of 0.1–653 mg kg−1. Interestingly, Minjingu P fertilizers from Tanzania, which are used in six East African countries, showed the highest U concentrations (159 to 653 mg kg−1, average 390 mg kg−1). The reported U concentrations for these fertilizers are, in fact, comparable to those of conventional low-grade uranium deposits mined in Namibia and elsewhere. Additionally, approximately 96% of the reviewed articles indicate that fertilized soil has higher U concentrations than non-fertilized soils, hinting at a measurable effect of mineral fertilizer use. The review recommends U extraction during mineral fertilizer production so that potential environmental risks can be reduced and U resources that would otherwise be lost can be recovered and used to substitute conventional U mining elsewhere.

Analysis of energy intensity indicators in production of mineral fertilizers

The article presents the results of the calculation of the energy consumption of the main and auxiliary technologies for the production of mineral fertilizers, interrelated as a single energy technology system (ETS). At the stage of the primary analysis of fuel, electricity and heat consumption indicators of individual technologies of the mineral fertilizers industry, the task was set to determine the energy intensity of specific technologies depending on intra-system distribution of flows of fuel and energy resources (FER) between the ETS production facilities for the output of target products.On the basis of a mathematical model, according to the averaged specific consumption rates of fuel and energy resources of the main and auxiliary technologies for the production of one ton of product, the values of specific energy consumption for target technologies for the production of mineral fertilizers were obtained. The analysis of the calculated indicators of energy consumption enabled to identify the most energy-intensive technologies.. It is shown that in the total energy consumption of the target technology, the share of energy consumption of auxiliary industries is up to 97% of the total energy intensity. Besides, the paper cosiders the key factors that determine the level of energy efficiency of industry enterprises under study.Through the example of an existing technology for the production of mineral fertilizers of one technological line with a capacity of 27.5 t/h (in terms of the finished product), the calculation of energy consumption was performed. The paper states that the modernization of the technology for the production of mineral fertilizers through the utilization of thermal SERs emitted into the environment would reduce the energy consumption of the technology by 6.33%.The mathematical model used in the study makes it possible to determine the values of energy consumption of technologies in the mineral fertilizer production industry with the greatest accuracy. The analysis of the data obtained shows that the studied technologies of the industry are characterized by irrational consumption of fuel and energy resources and, therefore, need a more thorough and systematic approach in determining energy saving reserves and ways to rationalize them in the energy technology system (ETS).

Life cycle assessment and sustainable development of mineral fertilizers production

Using the life cycle assessment methodology, this article analyzes the potential for developing a responsible production process for mineral fertilizers. By way of an example, the composition of the production facilities at a vertically integrated company is considered, and the main factors that negatively affect on the atmospheric air, waterbodies, and soils are identified. Based on the analysis of the best available and promising technologies, the main ways to mitigate the negative impact on the environment, human health, and natural resources are defined. It is concluded that the application of product life cycle assessment approaches makes it possible to identify priority environmental aspects at each stage and take them into consideration when developing and implementing programs to improve the resource and energy efficiency, as well as environmental performance of product production and consumption.

Determination of the heat transfer coefficient between pellets and air during the modernization of a pelletizing tower based on industrial research

The object of research is the heat transfer coefficient between pellets and air flow in industrial granulation towers. The problem lies in the difficulty of optimizing the heat transfer process. As a result of experiments and analysis, it was shown that each granulating tower for the production of mineral fertilizers has unique properties that significantly affect the efficiency of heat transfer. There are general mathematical models, but for accurate modeling and optimization of heat transfer, the unique characteristics of each production must be taken into account. The results showed that creating an accurate mathematical model for each specific fertilizer production is a difficult task due to the large number of unmeasured or difficult to reconcile factors. The method of calculating the heat transfer coefficient for the granulator tower obtained in the course of the work derives from a set of researches on the production of mineral fertilizers. This approach is based on the analysis of technical parameters and granulation composition of the product. The developed method makes it possible to reliably ensure the operating conditions of the device during modernization and changes in production volumes. These results are important for both practical and theoretical purposes. They can be used to accurately predict the operating conditions of equipment during modification and productivity growth. According to the research results, this approach allows obtaining fairly reliable data for forecasting the thermodynamic conditions of the tower equipment in the event of its modernization and transition of the granulation tower to the production of an increased amount of products. The specified method was tested in calculations of production modernization at urea production plants (Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (Iffco), India), Rustavi Azot LLC (Georgia), Grodno Azot LLC (Republic of Belarus) and others. This method has proven to be quite reliable in predicting the possible need for an additional amount of air supplied to the tower and forming requirements for the operating parameters of rotary vibrating granulators in the event of a significant increase in the load on the float in the tower and an increase in the amount of products planned for release.

Особенности образования и использования твердых отходов в Республике Беларусь

The purpose of the work is to justify the priority of processing municipal solid waste over other solid waste. The methodology chosen is the analysis of statistical data characterizing the generation and use of solid waste in Belarus. It has been established that over 60% of solid waste in the Republic is generated as a result of the activities of OJSC Belaruskali, which specializes in the extraction of potassium salt and the production of mineral fertilizers. These production wastes are characterized by a low level of danger and are sent for temporary storage. Only 1.6% of all production waste generated is subject to burial, which in world practice is recognized as the least desirable method of disposal. Municipal solid waste accounts for about 6% of the mass fraction of all generated solid waste. However, the municipal solid waste segment accounts for 86% of all waste disposed of in landfills. There is a trend towards an increase in the share of municipal solid waste use from 9% in 2010 to 30% in 2021, which means a general decrease in the volume of waste disposal in Belarus. The growth in the use of municipal solid waste is hampered by its complex morphological composition, therefore, before using waste, it is advisable to sort it or separate collection. To improve monitoring of waste generation and use in Belarus, some additions to the existing statistical system of environmental indicators are also proposed.

Current problems and prospects for the development of the mineral fertilizer market in Russia

Subject. This article discusses the strengthening of Russia's position as a major exporter of agricultural products. Objectives. The article aims to determine the role of the production of mineral fertilizers in the development of the agricultural sector of Russia and strengthening the country's competitiveness in the world market. Methods. For the study, we used the methods of strategic analysis. Results. The article finds that the production of mineral fertilizers is susceptible to digitalization processes, which make it possible to create additional competitive advantages. The development of the mineral fertilizer market is influenced by fluctuations in grain prices. Relevance. The results of the study can be used when designing comprehensive programmes for the development of agriculture in the regions of Russia.

Hydrochemistry and ecology of aquatic ecosystems in influence zones of mineral fertilizers production

Hydrochemistry and ecology of aquatic ecosystems in influence zones of mineral fertilizers production

Phosphates of Ukraine as raw materials for the production of mineral fertilizers and ameliorants

Phosphates of Ukraine as raw materials for the production of mineral fertilizers and ameliorants

THE INFLUENCE OF PHOSPHOGYPSUM ON THE SALT COMPOSITION OF SALINATED SOIL

Global climate changes in many countries of the world lead to the need to use irrigation as a driving factor for obtaining guaranteed and stable harvests of agricultural crops. Irrigation with water of different quality leads not only to an increase in the yield, but also to a change in the salt composition of the soil. The change in the salt composition of soils occurs much faster during irrigation with mineralized water, which leads to the accumulation of soluble salts in the arable layer of the soil and the deterioration of the composition of the soil absorption complex. Accumulation of sodium ions leads to salinization of irrigated soils. It is possible to stop or suspend the salinization processes by introducing chemical melioration with calcium-containing meliorants. As an ameliorant in this work, the use of a by-product of the mineral fertilizers production – phosphogypsum, which contains a significant amount of calcium (up to 95%), replacing exchangeable sodium in the soil absorption complex is proposed. Our researches are related to the establishment of optimal calculation norms and terms of phosphogypsum application, their influence on the change in the components of the soil’s saline extract. The research was conducted on soils that had been irrigated with mineralized water from the Samara River (Ukraine) for a long time (over 50 years). According to the amount of exchangeable sodium, the soils of the experimental sites belonged to low-sodium soils with physical signs of salinization processes, and according to the content of toxic salts-moderately saline. For phosphogypsum in the soil-ameliorative conditions of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine, the ameliorative, agronomic, and ecologically safe rates of introduction in spring and autumn were calculated. The scheme of experiments provided options with sprinkler irrigation and without irrigation. The composition of the aqueous extract was determined by indicators of anion-cation content. During the research, a gradual decrease in the number of sulfates was observed: by 1.5% in the second year after exposure, and by 7.5% in the third year after exposure to phosphogypsum. The number of hydrocarbons decreased in irrigated areas where phosphogypsum was applied, and an increase in their content was observed in areas where irrigation was not carried out. Irrigation options were characterized by a significant increase in the content of chlorine ions, which is explained by the arrival of these ions exclusively with irrigation water. The degree of salinity was determined by pH and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). Based on these indicators, it was established that the soils are slightly saline in all variants of the experiments. As a result of multi-year research, a positive effect of phosphogypsum melioration on the anion-cation composition of water extract and the degree of soils salinity irrigated with mineralized water for a long time was noted. According to the anionic composition, the chemistry of the soils in the experimental plots was sulfate in the variants where phosphogypsum was applied and vegetation irrigation was carried out and without irrigation, while in the control plots (without phosphogypsum and without irrigation) soda-sulfate chemistry was characterized. The chemistry of the soils in the experimental areas according to the cationic composition was sodium in all versions of the experiments. According to the sodium-adsorption ratio (SAR), the degree of soil salinization belonged to the slightly saline type, while the average type of salinity remained in the control plots without phosphogypsum.

Uranium supply potential from imported phosphate rocks for the Philippine nuclear power program

The Philippines is planning to rehabilitate its mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) to provide affordable electricity and meet carbon emission goals. Despite not having domestic uranium resources, the Philippines import considerable amounts of phosphate rock for mineral fertilizer production that is known to contain between 50-200 mg uranium per kg ore. Recovering the uranium from phosphate rock during wet-phosphoric acid (WPA) production, the process used in the Philippines, is a mature technology that was used at fertilizer plants in Florida in the 1980s and 1990s before decreasing uranium prices made it unprofitable. Uranium prices are bound to rise again, and this work estimates the amount of uranium that could be recovered during WPA production in the Philippines. We estimate that between 14.4-25.6 t natural uranium could have theoretically been recovered annually in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This amount is equivalent to approximately 12-21% of the projected annual uranium requirements of the BNPP. Phosphate rock imports into the Philippines are still below pre-Typhoon Haiyan levels and when the industry recovers it is likely that more than one-fourth of the uranium requirements of the BNPP could be met with unconventional uranium recovered from imported phosphate rocks.

Extraction of humic acid from peat and lignite and the thermal behavior of their mixtures with ammonium nitrate

Due to the positive effect on soil structure and the influence on improving the efficiency of plant roots nutrient uptake, humic acids (HA) are widely considered for fertilizer production. Especially, it seems to be particularly promising to use them as additives in technologies of mineral fertilizer production. One of the common mineral fertilizer components, due to its good water solubility and the presence of nitrogen in two forms, is ammonium nitrate (AN). The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the humic acids extracted from peat and lignite on the thermal decomposition of HA and the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate and humic acids mixtures. For the quality assessment of HA, spectroscopic methods (FTIR/ATR and CP/MAS 13C NMR) and analysis of elemental composition were used. The analysis of the spectra showed differences in the degree of humification of humic acids extracted from various raw materials. HA isolated from peat were distinguished by the presence of peptides, polysaccharides, and lignin residues. Elemental analysis showed the higher carbon and sulfur content in the extracted HA compared to the reference samples. The results of the TG-DTA-MS analysis confirmed the influence of differences in the molecular structure of humic acids, especially in the aliphatic and aromatic carbon content, on the thermal decomposition process. Total content of carboxylic and/or hydroxylic functional groups had a significant impact on the start of the decomposition temperature. Their increase visibly influenced the acceleration of the exothermic decomposition of AN.

Incorporation of main line impact into life cycle assessment of nutrient recovery from reject water using novel membrane contactor technology

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) nutrient recovery has recently gained traction in the search for new pathways for fertilizer production. In particular, concentrated waste streams such as reject water from sludge digestion are suitable. The environmental impact of a novel nutrient recovery technology using a membrane contactor (NPHarvest) was examined with an environmental life cycle assessment (LCA). Impact hotspots were benchmarked against a comparable technology (struvite precipitation and ammonia stripping), and the impacts of the two technologies were found to be similar for most studied environmental impact categories. To allow for the inclusion of effects on other parts of the WWTP while limiting the general system boundaries to the reject water treatment, a novel approach to capture the main line impact was developed. The effects on the main line contributed substantially to the overall results. The overall results indicated clear nutrient recovery benefits related to substituted materials in mineral fertilizer production. Additionally, reject water nutrient recovery provided even greater benefits due to reduced N2O emissions and the reduced use of precipitation chemicals in the WWTP main line. Nonetheless, both nutrient removal and recovery were necessary for the two technologies to reach a net zero climate impact in their current pilot scales. Further development of the NPHarvest technology—such as mitigating NH3 emissions, exploring alternative input chemicals and optimizing energy consumption (especially for crystallizing the ammonium salt solution that is produced)—is recommended before full-scale implementation.

Resource-saving and environmental protection in nuclear-grade zirconium and hafnium production

The development of efficient and environmentally friendly technological processes for processing zircon concentrate is an urgent problem in the technology of producing reactor-pure zirconium and hafnium used in nuclear power. The review presents the environmental, technical and economic characteristics of zircon decomposition processes using existing industrial technologies and provides data on the environmental safety of each technology. It is shown that current industrial technologies do not meet the criteria of sustainable development and allow emissions of toxic reagents into the environment. New applications of particularly pure zirconium and hafnium compounds which have emerged in recent decades, with impurity content of 10-3–10-5%, require less corrosive reagents than chlorine and fluorine, new resource-saving processes and equipment. Today, technical zirconium oxide with a purity of 98% is the main industrial product of zircon processing, but it allows for losses of hafnium, scandium and silicon. This is equivalent to financial losses of over USD 150 million per year. Based on the analysis of promising halogen-free technologies, a new integrated zircon processing technology is proposed which allows producing scarce hafnium, scandium and silicon compounds along with reactor-pure zirconium and its high-purity chemical compounds. The chemicals consumed in the zircon processing process are utilized in the production of mineral fertilizers, eliminating environmental pollution. The use of the highly efficient refining extraction process in a nitric acid environment using centrifugal extractors with an available tributilphosphate extractant allows us to obtain reactor metals with a purity of 99.95%. The production of high-purity zirconium, hafnium, scandium and silicon oxides meets the demand for non-nuclear products, which expands the volume of integrated zircon processing and meets the growing market demand for new functional materials. The integrated approach to zircon processing can reduce the cost of zircon by producing by-products, recycling consumed reagents and eliminating non-recyclable solid and liquid waste. This will ensure environmental protection even with relatively small volumes of reactor-pure metal production.

Obtaining nitrophos fertilizers with copper, zinc, molybdenum

The purpose of the research is to obtain micronutrient fertilizers by applying micronutrient salts and their complex forms to phosphorus fertilizers obtained in incomplete standards of nitric acid or their salt mixtures. Central Kyzylkum phosphorites (low-grade P2O5-12.38%, CaO-43.68%, CO2-13.48%, non-enriched P2O5-16.38%, CaO-45.93%, CO2-18, 15%, SO3-1.86%, thermoconcentrate P2O5-27.40%; CaO-54.68%; CO2- 4.52%) were decomposed with nitric acid at different rates and phosphorus fertilizers were obtained. Copper and zinc sulfate and ammonium molybdate (Cu, Zn, Mo) salts and their complex forms were applied to the obtained fertilizers and their chemical composition was studied. Central Kyzylkum phosphorite flour was processed in different concentrations of nitric acid. The process of granulation of recycled phosphorus fertilizers in different standards was carried out with the participation of micronutrient salts and their complex solutions, and it was possible to obtain micronutrient phosphorus fertilizers. Along with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizers, the demand for micronutrient fertilizers is also increasing in our republic. Currently, microfertilizers are used in practice in very small quantities. In the production of mineral fertilizers, the use of various wastes and products of non-ferrous metallurgy containing microelements, sour effluents, spent catalysts and other types of secondary products is one of the solutions for the production of microelement fertilizers.

THE INFLUENCE OF INNOVATIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE CROP INDUSTRY

One of the leading industries is crop production. It is the main source for the production of vital products, as well as the raw material base for their production. The amount of production depends proportionally on the development of this industry. Thus, production volumes should fully meet the needs of the population. For the effective development of the field of crop production at this stage, it is necessary to constantly improve the existing and introduce new technologies for the production of agricultural products; fundamentally change economic relations between producers and consumers of science-intensive products; form an innovative state policy aimed at an innovative way of developing the country’s agrarian economy. Modern agricultural enterprises work completely differently than those of a few decades ago, primarily due to advances in technology, including sensors, devices, machines and information technologies. In the conditions of the constant increase in the price of energy resources and raw materials for the production of mineral fertilizers, the presence of a shortage of organic fertilizers, the reduction of areas suitable for growing agricultural crops, due to the strengthening of erosion processes and desertification caused by global warming, the problem of finding the most effective ways of managing profitability and reducing the cost of living is becoming urgent agricultural products. One of the ways of its successful solution is the introduction of innovative technologies in the field of land use. Digitization is turning agriculture into a high-tech sector of the economy, processing massive amounts of big data coming from numerous sensors installed in the field, on the farm, agricultural machinery, from weather stations, satellites and other systems. These advanced devices, precision farming, new technologies and robotic systems enable businesses to be more profitable, more efficient, safer and more environmentally friendly. The use of innovations in agriculture ensures an increase in labor productivity, a decrease in the cost price and an increase in the quality and competitiveness of products, contributes to solving the problem of food security in the country and increasing the sustainability of agricultural enterprises.

Comparative study of environmental impacts related to wheat production with human-urine based fertilizers versus mineral fertilizers

Most of the fertilizers used in conventional agriculture are derived from nonrenewable resources: natural gas for nitrogen fertilizers and fossil mines for phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. On the other hand, the nutrients from human urine are poorly recycled with regard to agricultural repurposing, despite the fact that urine can be a nutrient resource for agriculture. Human urine may be collected through source separation and treated to produce urine-based fertilizers, resulting in various value chains. However, the environmental impacts and benefits of this fertilization method compared to current fertilization practices are not well known.Using a life cycle assessment, we assessed the environmental impacts of three scenarios of wheat production fertilized with three different urine-based fertilizers: stored urine, nitrified concentrated urine and alkalinized dehydrated urine. We compared them to a reference scenario in which mineral fertilizers are used for wheat production and urine is treated in a wastewater treatment plant.The environmental impacts for the scenarios using the urine-based fertilizer value chains were lower than those for the reference scenario for climate change, eutrophication, fossil resource and water consumption impact categories. These lower impacts were partly related to the avoided impacts from mineral fertilizer production. Moreover, the avoided impacts from the sanitation system (water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and nutrient discharge to the river) were significant and allowed for further and greater reduction of the environmental impacts for the urine-based fertilizer scenarios compared to those for the reference scenario. Nevertheless, stored and alkalinized dehydrated urine can induce higher ammonia volatilization compared to mineral fertilizers, resulting in a higher acidification potential and particulate matter emissions. The electricity consumption values for the nitrified concentrated urine and alkalinized dehydrated urine fertilizers are also higher than that of the reference system. Thus, ammonia volatilization and energy consumption of the urine treatments have been identified as the main environmental hotspots of urine-based fertilizer value chains. In conclusion, the use of urine-based fertilizers completes biogeochemical cycles for the sustainable management of nutrients. It also enables a global reduction of the environmental impacts of fertilization in agriculture and of wastewater treatment.