Descrizione del progetto
Chiudere il ciclo del fosforo
Il fosforo è un nutriente essenziale per l’agricoltura, ma le risorse estraibili sono limitate e l’estrazione di minerali di fosforo ne ha perturbato i cicli globali. Inoltre, il flusso di fosforo dalle aree agricole alle acque superficiali contribuisce all’eutrofizzazione, un sovra-arricchimento di nutrienti degli ecosistemi acquatici che comporta una crescita accelerata delle alghe, la perdita di biodiversità e altri effetti dannosi. Grazie al sostegno del programma di azioni Marie Skłodowska-Curie, il progetto P-TRAP svilupperà nuovi approcci per intrappolare il fosforo nelle aree agricole drenate e nei sedimenti dei laghi eutrofici. Questi approcci si basano sull’uso di sottoprodotti contenenti ferro provenienti dal trattamento delle acque. I minerali di ferro carichi di fosforo saranno convertiti in fertilizzanti, per un’economia circolare sostenibile con un minore impatto ambientale.
Obiettivo
Flux of phosphate (P) from agricultural areas to surface waters is wasting a resource which is becoming scarce and is in conflict with the principles of a circular economy. Enhanced loading of surface water with P is the main cause for eutrophication and presents a key challenge in meeting the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive. P-TRAP targets both problems and develops new methods and approaches to trap P in drained agricultural areas and in the sediments of eutrophic lakes. Trapping of P involves the application of iron(Fe)-containing by-products from drinking water treatment. P-TRAP aspires the ideas of a circular economy and aims at recovering the retained P in agricultural systems. Novel microbial technologies will be developed to convert P-loaded Fe-minerals into marketable fertilizers whose suitability will be evaluated. The new P-TRAP technologies have in common that they rely on the naturally strong connection between P and Fe and the innovative P-TRAP strategies will be underpinned by process-orientated investigations on the behavior of P during the transformation of Fe minerals. The latter are key in trapping and recycling of P in agricultural systems and lakes. P-TRAP establishes a framework of partners from multiple science and engineering disciplines. Integration of non-academic partners from various stakeholder groups into the P-TRAP consortium paves the way for direct implementation of the acquired knowledge. P-TRAP provides Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) an environment for conducting innovative scientific research by using state-of-the-art methodology. Training through P-TRAP increases the ESRs’ mobility between sectors, cultures, and nations and strengthens their responsibility to exploiting scientific results for societal and economical benefit. P-TRAP will offer ESRs an excellent starting point for a career of leadership in a number of environmental and sustainable business sectors, academia, and public administration.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturesustainable agriculture
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwater treatment processes
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)Coordinatore
3584 CS Utrecht
Paesi Bassi