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Pathways and Management of Phosphorus in Urban Areas

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  • Yuliya Kalmykova
  • Robin Harder
  • Helena Borgestedt
  • Ingela Svanäng

Abstract

Due to the finite nature of mineral phosphorus reserves, effective management of anthropogenic phosphorus flows is currently under investigation by the international research community. This article emphasizes the importance of urban phosphorus flows, which are often marginalized due to the greater magnitude of agricultural phosphorus flows. A study on phosphorus flows in Gothenburg, Sweden, points out the potential role of solid waste in nutrient management, as the amounts of phosphorus in solid waste and in wastewater were found to be equal. Importation of food commodities accounts for 50% of the total inflow of phosphorus, and food waste is a major contributor of phosphorus to solid waste. The results suggest that solid waste incineration residues represent a large underestimated sink of phosphorus. Focusing on wastewater as the sole source of recovered phosphorus is not sufficient. The Swedish national goal on phosphorus recycling, which is limited to sewage sludge, targets only a part of the total phosphorus flow that can potentially be recovered. In contrast to previous studies, agricultural flows in Gothenburg were marginal compared to flows related to the urban waste management infrastructure. We emphasize the need for debate on preferable routes for disposal of waste with a high phosphorus content. Both recovery potential and usefulness of the recovered product for agricultural purposes have to be considered. Impacts of five waste management strategies on phosphorus flows were evaluated: incineration of all the waste, comprehensive food waste separation, installation of kitchen grinders, urine diversion, and separation of blackwater and food waste.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuliya Kalmykova & Robin Harder & Helena Borgestedt & Ingela Svanäng, 2012. "Pathways and Management of Phosphorus in Urban Areas," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 16(6), pages 928-939, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:16:y:2012:i:6:p:928-939
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-9290.2012.00541.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Senthilkumar, Kalimuthu & Mollier, Alain & Delmas, Magalie & Pellerin, Sylvain & Nesme, Thomas, 2014. "Phosphorus recovery and recycling from waste: An appraisal based on a French case study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 97-108.
    2. Dag Lorick & Robin Harder & Magdalena Svanström, 2021. "A Circular Economy for Phosphorus in Sweden—Is it Possible?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Gao, Chengkang & Zhang, Shuaibing & Song, Kaihui & Na, Hongming & Tian, Fan & Zhang, Menghui & Gao, Wengang, 2018. "Conjoint analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur metabolism: A case study of Liaoning Province, China," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 390(C), pages 70-78.
    4. Reijnders, L., 2014. "Phosphorus resources, their depletion and conservation, a review," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 32-49.
    5. Alex Segrè Cohen & Nancy G. Love & Joseph Árvai, 2020. "Communicating the Risks and Benefits of Human Urine-Derived Fertilizer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Lisa Harseim & Benjamin Sprecher & Cathrin Zengerling, 2021. "Phosphorus Governance within Planetary Boundaries: The Potential of Strategic Local Resource Planning in The Hague and Delfland, The Netherlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    7. Louise Guibrunet & Araceli Sánchez Jiménez, 2023. "The current and potential role of urban metabolism studies to analyze the role of food in urban sustainability," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(1), pages 196-209, February.
    8. Nguyet Thi Tran & Dirk Weichgrebe, 2020. "Regional material flow behaviors of agro‐food processing craft villages in Red River Delta, Vietnam," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(3), pages 707-725, June.

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