Phosphorus RCN
Future Technologies Group
Our work is focused on informing future technologies and
strategies.
Brooke Mayer, Larry Baker, Treavor Boyer, Katrina Macintosh, Rich
McDowell, John McGrath, Jim Mihelcic, Steve Powers,
@sustainP
Bruce Rittmann, Celine Vaneeckhaute
Total Value of Phosphorus Recovery
Brooke K. Mayer, Lawrence
A. Baker, Treavor H. Boyer,
Pay Drechsel, Mac Gifford,
Munir A. Hanjra, Prathap
Parameswaran, Jared
Stoltzfus, Paul Westerhoff,
Bruce E. Rittmann
(2016, 50, 6606-6620,
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01239)
Total Value Proposition
Major global
drivers for P
recovery and
reuse.
Incentives
emerge when
accounting for
total value
recovery,
including
key
[co]products
and services
Mayer et al., 2016
P Recovery Technologies:
Energy Versus Cost
Mayer et al., 2016; modified after Morf and Koch, 2009
Examples of P Recovery Technologies for Wastewater
Advantageous
technology
attributes:
• Co-recovery of
other resources
• Reduced costs
and inputs of
energy and
chemicals
• Higher purity
products
• Production of
readily
manageable
products
• Localeappropriate
operation
Mayer et al., 2016; identified by Egle et al., 2014
But…what about the rest of the P?
Agriculture
Urban
Aquatic
Boyer, Macintosh, Powers, SPA Webinar, 2017
Where is the P?
Phosphate
Rock
Natural Environment
Ind.
Use
Natural
Veg.
Fertilizer
Agri. &
Livestock
Global Food
System
Food
Process.
Non-Agri.
Soil &
Landfill
Human
Excreta
Inland Coastal
Waters
Modified after Cordell & White, 2014
Approaches for Effective P Management
Boyer, Macintosh, Powers, SPA Webinar, 2017
Overarching goal: Provide information for decision makers and
technology developers to identify opportunities for P management in
variable systems.
Lingering
Questions…
Key Questions
1) How do P QUANTITY and FORM vary in diverse systems:
agriculture, urban, and aquatic?
2) What MANAGEMENT OPTIONS and TECHNOLOGIES
are there to assist in removing and/or recovering P from
these systems?
1) When is it appropriate to manage P at the SOURCE or
SINK?
2) What are the likely costs/trade-offs and consequences?
Approaches for Effective P Management
Boyer, Macintosh, Powers, SPA Webinar, 2017
Agriculture:
Crop-dominated
Erosion, drainage,
crop residue
Approaches for Effective P Management
Boyer, Macintosh, Powers, SPA Webinar, 2017
Agriculture:
Livestock-dominated
Manure
Approaches for Effective P Management
Boyer, Macintosh, Powers, SPA Webinar, 2017
Urban: Wastewater, urine,
biosolids, reclaimed water
for landscaping, leaf litter,
yard waste, pet waste, food
waste, landfill leachate
Approaches for Effective P Management
Boyer, Macintosh, Powers, SPA Webinar, 2017
Aquatic: Streams,
lakes, sediments
1) How do P QUANTITY and FORM vary in diverse systems:
agriculture, urban, and aquatic?
Urban:
Reclaimed
Wastewater for
Landscaping
Inorganic
Agricultural:
Crop-dominated
Aquatic:
Streams
Urban:
Wastewater
Effluent
Urban:
Urine
Aquatic:
Lakes
Aquatic:
Sediments
Urban:
Landfill
Leachate
Agricultural:
Crop residue
Urban:
Biosolids,
feces
Organic
Urban:
Yard
Waste
Particulate
Agricultural:
Livestockdominated
Urban:
Leaf
Litter
Urban:
Food
Waste
Soluble
1) How do P QUANTITY and FORM vary in diverse systems:
agriculture, urban, and aquatic?
Urban:
Reclaimed
Wastewater for
Landscaping
Inorganic
Agricultural:
Crop-dominated
Aquatic:
Streams
Urban:
Urine
Aquatic:
Lakes
Aquatic:
Sediments
Opportunity
for total
value
Organic
Urban:
Wastewater
Effluent
Urban:
Landfill
Leachate
Agricultural:
Crop residue
Urban:
Biosolids,
feces
Urban:
Yard
Waste
Particulate
Agricultural:
Livestockdominated
Urban:
Leaf
Litter
Urban:
Food
Waste
Soluble
1) How do P QUANTITY and FORM vary in diverse systems:
agriculture, urban, and aquatic?
Urban:
Reclaimed
Wastewater for
Landscaping
Inorganic
Agricultural:
Crop-dominated
Opportunity
for pure
product
Aquatic:
Streams
Aquatic:
Lakes
Aquatic:
Sediments
Urban:
Wastewater
Effluent
Urban:
Urine
Urban:
Landfill
Leachate
Agricultural:
Crop residue
Urban:
Biosolids,
feces
Organic
Urban:
Yard
Waste
Particulate
Agricultural:
Livestockdominated
Urban:
Leaf
Litter
Urban:
Food
Waste
Soluble
1) How do P QUANTITY and FORM vary in diverse systems:
agriculture, urban, and aquatic?
Inorganic
Opportunity
for water
quality
Urban:
Reclaimed
Wastewater for
Landscaping
Agricultural:
Crop-dominated
Aquatic:
Streams
Urban:
Wastewater
Effluent
Urban:
Urine
Aquatic:
Lakes
Aquatic:
Sediments
Urban:
Landfill
Leachate
Agricultural:
Crop residue
Urban:
Biosolids,
feces
Organic
Urban:
Yard
Waste
Particulate
Agricultural:
Livestockdominated
Urban:
Leaf
Litter
Urban:
Food
Waste
Soluble
2) What MANAGEMENT OPTIONS and TECHNOLOGIES are there to assist in
removing and/or recovering P from these systems?
Farm, landscape fertilization
Lake sediments
High-intensity animal operations,
food waste
Closing Thoughts on Effective P Management
• Total value proposition
• Environmental, economic,
social considerations
• Opportunities to get the
biggest return on investment
• Protecting water quality
• Developing new technologies
Opportunities
Inorganic
Opportunity
for water
quality
Urban:
Reclaimed
Wastewater for
Landscaping
Agricultural:
Crop-dominated
Opportunity
for pure
product
Aquatic:
Streams
Aquatic:
Lakes
Aquatic:
Sediments
Opportunity
for total
value
Organic
Urban:
Wastewater
Effluent
Urban:
Urine
Urban:
Landfill
Leachate
Agricultural:
Crop residue
Urban:
Biosolids,
feces
Urban:
Yard
Waste
Particulate
Agricultural:
Livestockdominated
Urban:
Leaf
Litter
Urban:
Food
Waste
Soluble