Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIII
Written by Mihaela BEGEA, Nicoleta RADU, Mariana CONSTANTIN, Roxana ZAHARIA
A way of valorise the solid by-products resulting from industrial biosyntheses is to use them as such to fertilize agricultural soils or to obtain new types of fertilizers. Two types of fertilizers obtained with spent microbial biomass were evaluated regarding the impact generated on the waters as a result of potential nutrient loss processes through washing throughout rainwater. The tests were carried out in the lab, in glass columns filled with a mixture of red-brown soil, sand, and fertilizers, the last one added in quantities corresponding to a fertilization norm of 200 kg SA/ha. For each experimental variant, an average pluviometry flow rate of 14 L/m2 was simulated; in each column, water was added at intervals of 1; 4; 7, and 15 days. The nutrients lost by leaching were assessed after each interval. The obtained results showed that fertilizers formulated with microbial biomass lose (77.9-85.11)% P2O5 and (76.2-90)% K2O in 24 h, compared to classic fertilizers, which lose 75% P2O5 through leaching, respectively 86.5% K2O. Because the behaviour of fertilizers formulated with microbial biomass is similar to that of complex fertilizers, was estimated that the impact generated by the use of fertilizers with microbial biomass on the water is insignificant.
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