Phosphorus Agriculture Sewage for Agriculture
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Abstract
Land application of sewage sludge seems justifiable mostly because of its phosphorus content. Depending on the distribution of cattle manure the total Danish supply of phosphorus could be provided by manure and sludge. Or sludge phosphorus could substitute from 30—100% of all imported raw phosphates utilized domestically for agricultural purposes. Increased sludge phosphorus production would require extended waste water treatment. Due to increased costs of imported phosphorus such treatment may actually prove economically sound using well known technology. Furthermore it may reduce eutrofication of receiving waters. Recent research shows that Danish sludge need not contribute more Cadmium to soil than chemical fertilizers, if both are applied only accordingly to plant phosphorus demand. Consequently, increased sewage sludge application in agriculture should be deemed favourable compared with present extensive use of chemical fertilizers.