Project
FertiCycle: New bio-based fertilisers from organic waste upcycling
Agricultural activities led to considerable nutrient losses to the environment causing pollution. Upcycling organic waste is one of the promising options to produce renewable bio-based fertilizers. However, the environmental impacts thereof are not completely known.
This research aims to assess the effects of bio-based fertilizer use on water and air pollution at sub-basin and European scales, and to explore mitigation options. To this end, an agricultural (MITERRA-Europe) and a water quality (MARINA) model will be linked to quantify the nutrient emissions to air and waters in Europe.
Methods
- Developing a new MITERRA-MARINA model system and estimation of current N and P emissions to air and waters in Europe;
- Assessing the effect of global change on future N and P emissions to air and waters in Europe;
- Quantifying the impacts of increased bio-based fertilizer use on future N and P emissions to air and waters in Europe;
- Identifying mitigation options to reduce the environmental impacts of bio-based fertilizers.
Expected results
- Functioning and validated MITERRA-MARINA model system to estimate the environmental impacts of bio-based fertilizers on air and waters in Europe,
- Scenario development and analysis for future,
- Suggested mitigations to diminish negative environmental effects along the production and consumption chain of bio-based fertilizers.
Supervisors
Prof. dr. Carolien Kroeze (WUR)
dr. Maryna Strokal (WUR)
Prof. dr. Erik Meers (UGhent)
Collaborator: dr.ir. Jan Peter Lesschen (WUR)
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 860127