Synthesis of the research within the framework of the Mineral Concentrates Pilot (engelstalig)

Treatment of animal slurry, in addition to feeding and fertilizer exports measures, is seen as an opportunity to improve closing of nutrient cycles and to use nutrients efficiently. One of the possibilities of slurry treatment is separating slurry and using the mineral concentrate, which results from reverse osmosis of the liquid fraction, as mineral fertilizer.

The agronomic, economic and environmental impacts of the production of mineral concentrate and its use as mineral fertilizer were examined in a pilot in 2009 and 2010. In this pilot, the mineral concentrates were applied as fertilizer above the application standard for manure, but within the nitrogen application standard of the Nitrates Directive. The study consisted of i) monitoring of products from slurry treatment, ii) research on agricultural and environmental impacts of application of mineral concentrate as fertilizer, iii) research on user experience and an economic analysis and iv) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This report is a synthesis of the results of the various studies. The research data will serve for consultation with the European Commission on a possible permanent permission to use of mineral concentrates as replacement of mineral fertilizers.

Synthesis of the research within the framework of the Mineral Concentrates Pilot (engelstalig)
Auteur: G.L. Velthof
Bron: Alterra report 2224
Publicatie: 01-01-2011