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Castro IMP, Rosa A, Borges A, Cunha F, Passos F. The effects of microalgae use as a biofertilizer on soil and plant before and after its anaerobic (co-)digestion with food waste. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173301. [PMID: 38759922 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The increase in food waste generation has resulted in significant challenges for its sustainable management. Anaerobic digestion coupled with microalgae-based ponds for digestate treatment can be used as a low-cost eco-friendly technology approach. In this case, microalgal biomass harvested from the ponds may be valorized into bioenergy (biogas) and soil conditioner and/or biofertilizers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the microalgal biomass produced from a food waste digestate treatment ponds as agricultural fertilizer. For this purpose, microalgal biomass was tested before and after anaerobic digestion and co-digestion with food waste, exploring its potential for valorization. The inorganic fertilizer urea and soil with no fertilization were also used as treatments. The experimental design consisted of applying the treatments in pots cultivated with hybrid grass Brachiaria cv. Sabiá and distributed in randomized blocks in a controlled greenhouse. Microalgal biomass was mainly composed by Scenedesmus sp.. The assessed parameters showed comparable results on plant growth (i.e. number of tillers, fresh and dry matter and Chlorophyll content index) for fresh and digested microalgal biomass and inorganic fertilizer. Furthermore, it was observed that fresh microalgae provided the highest Phosphorus content in the leaf (21 %). Additionally, there were increases of 9 % in Nitrogen and 12 % in organic matter in the soil after applying digested microalgae compared to the control group without any fertilization. Finally, experimental data obtained suggests that microalgae-based biofertilizer holds the potential to replace inorganic fertilizer as a nutrient source. Moreover, it contributes to the valorization of by-products from organic waste treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iacy Maria Pereira Castro
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - André Rosa
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitario, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Allison Borges
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitario, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Fernando Cunha
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitario, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Passos
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Group of Environmental Engineering and Microbiology, Department Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, c/ Jordi Girona 1-3, Barcelona 08034, Spain.
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2
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Pantoja F, Beszédes S, Gyulavári T, Illés E, Kozma G, László Z. Ammonium ion removal from aqueous solutions in the presence of organic compounds, using biochar from banana leaves. Competitive isotherm models. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31495. [PMID: 38826707 PMCID: PMC11141371 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Industrial, e.g. food industrial and domestic wastewaters contain huge amount of compounds causing eutrophication, and should be removed with high cost during wastewater treatment. However, these compounds could be utilized as fertilizers too. Biochar can remove a wide range of pollutants from water, such as ammonium, which can be found in relatively high concentration in dairy wastewaters. However, adsorption performance may be affected by the presence of other wastewater pollutants. Thus, this study aims to determine the efficiency of biochar as an adsorbent of ammonium in aqueous solutions in the presence of some selected organic compounds of typical dairy wastewaters such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), lactose, and acetic acid. Methods: The biochar was produced from banana leaves at 300 °C, modified with NaOH, and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope - Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectra (FTIR) analysis, and specific surface area measurements. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the ammonium adsorption capacity and the ion competitive adsorption mechanism. Significant Findings: Results show that the surface structure of the biochar derived from banana leaves is different from other biochars previously studied; although the specific surface area is not very considerable and despite having nitrogen within the elemental composition, the biochar studied is capable of adsorbing 2.60 mg NH4+/m2, the highest ammonium removal in 2 h occurs at pH 9 and 500 mg biochar dose. Langmuir model in the monolayer phase analysis fits better for all scenarios and the maximum NH4+ adsorption capacity was 0.97 mg/g without organic compounds. In the multilayer adsorption phase, the isotherm model that best fits the data obtained is the Harkins-Jura model without organic compounds. The presence of organic compounds in the aqueous solution significantly impacts the adsorption of ammonium by biochar since it improves the adsorption capacity (1.132 mg/g BSA, 0.975 mg/g lactose, and 1.874 mg/g acetic acid). The Aranovich-Donohue isotherm model fitted the data obtained during ion competitive adsorption experiments well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Pantoja
- Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences, University of Szeged, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Beszédes
- Department of Process Engineering, University of Szeged, H-6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Tamás Gyulavári
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla Sqr. 1, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erzsébet Illés
- Department of Food Engineering, University of Szeged, H-6725, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kozma
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Szeged, Rerrich Béla Sqr. 1, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna László
- Department of Process Engineering, University of Szeged, H-6725, Szeged, Hungary
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3
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Tonelli D, Rosa L, Gabrielli P, Parente A, Contino F. Cost-competitive decentralized ammonia fertilizer production can increase food security. NATURE FOOD 2024:10.1038/s43016-024-00979-y. [PMID: 38755344 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-00979-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
The current centralized configuration of the ammonia industry makes the production of nitrogen fertilizers susceptible to the volatility of fossil fuel prices and involves complex supply chains with long-distance transport costs. An alternative consists of on-site decentralized ammonia production using small modular technologies, such as electric Haber-Bosch or electrocatalytic reduction. Here we evaluate the cost-competitiveness of producing low-carbon ammonia at the farm scale, from a solar agrivoltaic system, or using electricity from the grid, within a novel global fertilizer industry. Projected costs for decentralized ammonia production are compared with historical market prices from centralized production. We find that the cost-competitiveness of decentralized production relies on transport costs and supply chain disruptions. Taking both factors into account, decentralized production could achieve cost-competitiveness for up to 96% of the global ammonia demand by 2030. These results show the potential of decentralized ammonia technologies in revolutionizing the fertilizer industry, particularly in regions facing food insecurity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Tonelli
- Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering, UCLouvain, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
- Aero-Thermo-Mechanics Department, ULB, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Lorenzo Rosa
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Paolo Gabrielli
- Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute of Energy and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Francesco Contino
- Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering, UCLouvain, Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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4
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Ding D, Chen Y, Li X, Chen Q, Kong L, Ying R, Wang L, Wei J, Jiang D, Deng S. Can we redevelop ammonia nitrogen contaminated sites without remediation? The key role of subsurface pH in human health risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133630. [PMID: 38330643 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Nitrogen fertilizer supports global food production, but its manufacturing results in substantial ammonia nitrogen (AN) contaminated sites which remain largely unexplored. In this study, ten representative AN contaminated sites were investigated, covering a wide range of subsurface pH, temperature, and AN concentration. A total of 7232 soil samples and 392 groundwater samples were collected to determine the concentration levels, migration patterns, and accurate health risks of AN. The results indicated that AN concentrations in soil and groundwater reached 12700 mg/kg and 12600 mg/L, respectively. AN concentrations were higher in production areas than in non-production areas, and tended to migrate downward from surface to deeper soil. Conventional risk assessment based on AN concentration identified seven out of the ten sites presenting unacceptable risks, with remediation costs and CO2 emissions amounting to $1.67 million and 17553.7 tons, respectively. A novel risk assessment model was developed, which calculated risks based on multiplying AN concentration by a coefficient fNH3 (the ratio of NH3 to AN concentration). The mean fNH3 values, primarily affected by subsurface pH, varied between 0.02 and 0.25 across the ten sites. This new model suggested all investigated sites posed acceptable health risks related to AN exposure, leading to their redevelopment without AN-specific remediation. This research offers a thorough insight into AN contaminated site, holds great realistic significance in alleviating global economic and climate pressures, and highlights the need for future research on refined health risk assessments for more contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Ding
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Yun Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Xuwei Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Lingya Kong
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Rongrong Ying
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Lei Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Jing Wei
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Dengdeng Jiang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China.
| | - Shaopo Deng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Management and Pollution Control, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210046, China.
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5
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Brownlie WJ, Alexander P, Maslin M, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Sutton MA, Spears BM. Global food security threatened by potassium neglect. NATURE FOOD 2024; 5:111-115. [PMID: 38374417 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-00929-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Food security and healthy ecosystems are placed in jeopardy by poor potassium management. Six actions may prevent declines in crop yield due to soil potassium deficiency, safeguard farmers from potash price volatility and address environmental concerns associated with potash mining.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Alexander
- School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mark Maslin
- Department of Geography, University College London, London, UK
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- FEHM-Lab, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
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6
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Billen G, Aguilera E, Einarsson R, Garnier J, Gingrich S, Grizzetti B, Lassaletta L, Le Noë J, Sanz-Cobena A. Beyond the Farm to Fork Strategy: Methodology for designing a European agro-ecological future. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168160. [PMID: 37923272 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The publication of the European Commission's Farm to Fork Strategy has sparked a heated debate between those who advocate the intensification of agriculture in the name of food security and those who recommend its de-intensification for environmental reasons. The design of quantified scenarios is a key approach to objectively evaluate the arguments of the two sides. To this end, we used the accounting methodology GRAFS (Generalized Representation of Agri-Food Systems) to describe the agri-food system of Europe divided into 127 geographical units of similar agricultural area, in terms of nitrogen (N) fluxes across cropland, grassland, livestock, and human consumption. This analysis reveals, in current European agriculture, a high level of territorial specialization, a strong dependence on long distance trade, and environmental N losses amounting to about 14 TgN/yr, i.e. nearly 70 % of the annual N input (including N synthetic fertilizers, symbiotic N fixation, oxidized N deposition and import of food and feed). Based on the analysis of the yield-fertilization relationship of cropping systems at the scale of their full rotation cycle, and on a simplified model of livestock ingestion, excretion and production, we advanced the GRAFS methodology for prospective scenario design. Three scenarios for the European agri-food system were explored for 2050: a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, a scenario based on the measures considered by the EU Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), and a fully agro-ecological scenario (AE). The results show that the F2F scenario reduces the dependence of Europe on imports of synthetic fertilizers and feed resources by 40 % as well as the environmental N losses by 30 %, but not to the level of its claimed ambitions as N lost to the environment still amounts to about 10 TgN/yr, i.e. 67 % of N inputs. Of the three scenarios studied, only in the AE scenario, involving the relocation of feed production, the generalization of organic crop rotations with N fixing legume crops, and a shift of agricultural production and food consumption toward less animal-based products, would Europe be able to dispense with N imports, still being able to export some cereals, meat, and milk products to the rest of the world, while halving today's reactive N emissions to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eduardo Aguilera
- CEIGRAM, ETSI Agronomica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
| | - Rasmus Einarsson
- CEIGRAM, ETSI Agronomica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Simone Gingrich
- Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Department of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bruna Grizzetti
- European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Luis Lassaletta
- CEIGRAM, ETSI Agronomica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alberto Sanz-Cobena
- CEIGRAM, ETSI Agronomica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain
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7
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Mir IA, Goreau TJF, Campe J, Jerden J. India's biogeochemical capacity to attain food security and remediate climate. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 46:17. [PMID: 38147234 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01827-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
In order to supply wholesome food and slow down climate change, this paper covers India's agrogeological resources. The soils are the result of the weathering of rocks with ages ranging from more than a billion years to the most recent Holocene. Because they are severely deficient in vital minerals, many soils have low agricultural production. In addition to helping to fertilise soils, reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and stop the acidification of the Indian Ocean, rock powder weathering and biochar have significant positive effects on the productivity of Indian soils. The nutrient density of food is also increased which improves health and lowers the demand for and cost of medical treatment. Remineralization may help to solve Indian soil issues including soil infertility and texture. To improve soil and plant nutrition, dusts of carbonate, basic, and ultrabasic rocks are readily available at mining sites in India combined with biochar. Adding different grain sizes to the soil helps improve the texture of the soil. Silicate and carbonate rock powders enhance soil structure by promoting the creation of soil organic matter and fostering the growth of advantageous microbial communities. These processes offer a low-cost method of remineralizing soils with important macro- and micronutrients. For each significant soil/crop/climate system, an optimised application of India's rock powder resources must be determined through a national research and development programme. India's capacity to adapt to the mounting challenges of population expansion and climate change would be significantly improved by the findings of this study programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishfaq Ahmad Mir
- Geological Survey of India, State Unit: Karnataka and Goa, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560111, India.
| | - Thomas J F Goreau
- Global Coral Reef Alliance, 37 Pleasant Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Remineralize the Earth, Inc, 152 South Street, Northampton, MA, 01060, USA
| | - Joanna Campe
- Remineralize the Earth, Inc, 152 South Street, Northampton, MA, 01060, USA
| | - James Jerden
- Remineralize the Earth, Inc, 152 South Street, Northampton, MA, 01060, USA
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8
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Kramer KL, Hackman JV. Small-scale farmer responses to the double exposure of climate change and market integration. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220396. [PMID: 37718597 PMCID: PMC10505847 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropologists have long studied how small-scale societies manage climate variation. Here, we investigate how Yucatec Maya subsistence farmers respond to climate stress, and the ways in which market integration may enhance or disturb response stategies. Using information on harvest returns, climate perceptions, household economics and helping networks, modelling results show that as farmers rely more on market inputs (e.g. seed, tractors, fertilizer) for a successful yield, the reasons given for a bad harvest shift from climate variables to access to quality inputs. We also find that social and economic diversification is key to mediating a household's experience of climate and market shocks. The Maya are astute stewards of climate knowledge, and have effective social and economic means to mitigate potential fluctuations in food availability. In the transition from a subsistence to a market integrated economy, these traditional strategies become strained. Reliance on market inputs forges a more rigid food production system that conflicts with the diversity and flexibility on which traditional strategies depend to manage climate variation. Moving forward, the best policies would be those that facilitate maintaining an equal footing in both a subsistence maize economy, while incorporating new market opportunities. This article is part of the theme issue 'Climate change adaptation needs a science of culture'.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. L. Kramer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - J. V. Hackman
- Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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9
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Zhang Z, Abdullah MJ, Xu G, Matsubae K, Zeng X. Countries' vulnerability to food supply disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war from a trade dependency perspective. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16591. [PMID: 37789089 PMCID: PMC10547748 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43883-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruptions of key food and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine have exposed many countries to challenges accessing some commodities since these countries' war began. We evaluated the short-term, external, and direct impacts of disruptions of six food commodities and three types of fertilizer supplies from Russia and Ukraine on food access for all trading partners of the two countries by applying a set of trade and socioeconomic indicators. We found that the external food supplies of 279 countries and territories were affected to varying degrees; 24 countries-especially Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Mongolia-are extremely vulnerable because they depend almost entirely on a variety of food imports from Russia and Ukraine. Access to fertilizers was affected in 136 countries and territories, particularly Estonia (potassic fertilizer), Mongolia (nitrogenous fertilizers), Kazakhstan (mixed fertilizers), and Brazil, the United States, China, and India (all types of fertilizers). An integrated assessment of countries' import types, purchasing power parity per capita, and populations indicated that the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Pakistan are most vulnerable to such supply disruptions. Development of research into diversification and decentralization strategies for food access is needed to guide stable food supply policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyang Zhang
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-0872, Japan.
- Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, 603-8047, Japan.
| | | | - Guochang Xu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Material Cycles Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Kazuyo Matsubae
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-0872, Japan
- Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, Kyoto, 603-8047, Japan
| | - Xianlai Zeng
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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10
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Agathokleous E, Frei M, Knopf OM, Muller O, Xu Y, Nguyen TH, Gaiser T, Liu X, Liu B, Saitanis CJ, Shang B, Alam MS, Feng Y, Ewert F, Feng Z. Adapting crop production to climate change and air pollution at different scales. NATURE FOOD 2023; 4:854-865. [PMID: 37845546 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00858-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution and climate change are tightly interconnected and jointly affect field crop production and agroecosystem health. Although our understanding of the individual and combined impacts of air pollution and climate change factors is improving, the adaptation of crop production to concurrent air pollution and climate change remains challenging to resolve. Here we evaluate recent advances in the adaptation of crop production to climate change and air pollution at the plant, field and ecosystem scales. The main approaches at the plant level include the integration of genetic variation, molecular breeding and phenotyping. Field-level techniques include optimizing cultivation practices, promoting mixed cropping and diversification, and applying technologies such as antiozonants, nanotechnology and robot-assisted farming. Plant- and field-level techniques would be further facilitated by enhancing soil resilience, incorporating precision agriculture and modifying the hydrology and microclimate of agricultural landscapes at the ecosystem level. Strategies and opportunities for crop production under climate change and air pollution are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Carbon Source and Sink, China Meteorological Administration (ECSS-CMA), School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Michael Frei
- Department of Agronomy and Crop Physiology, Institute for Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver M Knopf
- Institute of Bio- and Geoscience 2: plant sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Onno Muller
- Institute of Bio- and Geoscience 2: plant sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany
| | - Yansen Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Carbon Source and Sink, China Meteorological Administration (ECSS-CMA), School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Institute of Resource, Ecosystem and Environment of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Liu
- National Engineering and Technology Center for Information Agriculture, Engineering Research Center of Smart Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Costas J Saitanis
- Lab of Ecology and Environmental Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Bo Shang
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Carbon Source and Sink, China Meteorological Administration (ECSS-CMA), School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Shahedul Alam
- Department of Agronomy and Crop Physiology, Institute for Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Yanru Feng
- Department of Agronomy and Crop Physiology, Institute for Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Zhaozhong Feng
- Collaborative Innovation Center on Forecast and Evaluation of Meteorological Disasters (CIC-FEMD), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Carbon Source and Sink, China Meteorological Administration (ECSS-CMA), School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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11
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Herath MP, Murray S, Lewis M, Holloway TP, Hughes R, Jayasinghe S, Soward R, Patterson KAE, Byrne NM, Lee AJ, Hills AP, Ahuja KDK. Habitual Diets Are More Expensive than Recommended Healthy Diets. Nutrients 2023; 15:3908. [PMID: 37764692 PMCID: PMC10538131 DOI: 10.3390/nu15183908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding food prices and affordability is crucial for promoting healthy dietary habits and informing policy actions. We assessed changes in the cost and affordability of habitual and recommended healthy diets in Northwest Tasmania from 2021 to 2023. The recommended diet was 16-22% less expensive than the habitual diet during the period. Notably, 60% of the total cost of the habitual diet was spent on discretionary items. The cost of the habitual diet increased by 9% in this period, whereas the cost of the recommended diet increased by only 2%. The habitual diet was unaffordable for households with median gross, minimum wage disposable or welfare-dependent incomes. The recommended diet, however, was affordable for some groups but posed a risk of food stress for those with median gross and minimum wage disposable income and remained unaffordable for those who were welfare dependent. Our findings reveal that adhering to a healthy Australian Dietary Guidelines-recommended diet can be more cost-effective than following a habitual unhealthy diet. However, adopting a healthy diet can be challenging for low-income families. Interventions such as financial support, nutrition education, community gardens and food hubs, as well as price regulation and subsidies for farmers, can help address food insecurity in Northwest Tasmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoja P. Herath
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Sandra Murray
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; (M.L.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Timothy P. Holloway
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Roger Hughes
- School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia;
| | - Sisitha Jayasinghe
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Robert Soward
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Kira A. E. Patterson
- School of Education, College of Arts, Law and Education, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia;
| | - Nuala M. Byrne
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Amanda J. Lee
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; (M.L.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Andrew P. Hills
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Kiran D. K. Ahuja
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
- Nutrition Society of Australia, Crows Nest, NSW 1585, Australia
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12
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Bai Z, Liu L, Obersteiner M, Mosnier A, Chen X, Yuan Z, Ma L. Agricultural trade impacts global phosphorus use and partial productivity. NATURE FOOD 2023; 4:762-773. [PMID: 37550541 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00822-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
The spatio-temporal distribution, flow and end use of phosphorus (P) embedded in traded agricultural products are poorly understood. Here we use global trade matrices to analyse the partial factor productivity of P (output per unit of P input) for crop and livestock products in 200 countries and their cumulative contributions to the export or import of agricultural products over 1961-2019. In these six decades, the trade of agricultural P products has increased global partial factor productivity for crop and livestock production and has theoretically saved 67 Tg P in fertilizers and 1.6 Tg P in feed. However, trade is now at risk of contributing to wasteful use of P resources globally due to a decline in trade optimality, as agricultural products are increasingly exported from low to high partial factor productivity countries and due to P embedded in imported agricultural products mainly lost to the environment without recycling. Integrated crop-livestock production systems and P-recycling technologies can help.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China.
- Xiongan Institute of Innovation, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiongan, China.
| | - Ling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Michael Obersteiner
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg, Austria
| | - Aline Mosnier
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Laxenburg, Austria
- Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Paris, France
| | - Xinping Chen
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zengwei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Hebei Key Laboratory of Soil Ecology, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetic and Developmental Biology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, China.
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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13
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Xu Y, Wang Z, Dong W, Chou J. Predicting the Potential Impact of Emergency on Global Grain Security: A Case of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Foods 2023; 12:2557. [PMID: 37444295 DOI: 10.3390/foods12132557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Global emergencies have a profound impact on exacerbating food insecurity, and the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict has emerged as a significant driver of a global food crisis. Accurately quantifying the impact of this conflict is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals. The multi-indicator comprehensive evaluation approach was used to construct a grain security composite index (GSCI). Moreover, econometric model was used to predict the potential impacts of the conflict on global grain security in 2030 under two scenarios: with and without the "Russia-Ukraine conflict". The results conclude that global food prices reached unprecedented levels as a consequence of the conflict, leading to notable fluctuations in food prices, especially with a significant surge in wheat prices. The conflict had a negative impact on global grain security, resulting in a decline in grain security from 0.538 to 0.419. Predictions indicate that the influence of the conflict on global grain security will be substantially greater compared to the scenario without the conflict in 2023-2030, ranging from 0.033 to 0.13. Furthermore, grain security will first decrease and then increase under the sustained consequences of the conflict. The achievement of the 2030 sustainable development goals will encounter significant challenges in light of these circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Natural Disaster, MOE, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Institute of Disaster Risk Science, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zhongxiu Wang
- Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, Beijing 100142, China
- Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Alliance of International Science Organizations, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenjie Dong
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Jieming Chou
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Natural Disaster, MOE, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Institute of Disaster Risk Science, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
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14
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Day S, Alexander P, Maslin M. Energy decarbonization threatens food security by reducing the availability of cheap sulfur. NATURE FOOD 2023:10.1038/s43016-023-00782-1. [PMID: 37268713 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00782-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Day
- Institute for Risk and Disaster, UCL, London, UK
| | - Peter Alexander
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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15
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Vandyck T, Della Valle N, Temursho U, Weitzel M. EU climate action through an energy poverty lens. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6040. [PMID: 37055454 PMCID: PMC10102115 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32705-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Carbon pricing can steer energy choices towards low-carbon fuels and foster energy conservation efforts. Simultaneously, higher fossil fuel prices may exacerbate energy poverty. A just portfolio of climate policies therefore requires a balanced instrument mix to jointly combat climate change and energy poverty. We review recent policy developments in the EU aimed at addressing energy poverty and the social implications of the climate neutrality transition. We then operationalise an affordability-based definition of energy poverty and numerically illustrate that recent EU climate policy proposals risk raising the number of energy poor when not accompanied with complementary measures, while alternative climate policy designs could lift more than 1 million households out of energy poverty through income-targeted revenue recycling schemes. While these schemes have low informational requirements and appear sufficient to avoid exacerbating energy poverty, the findings suggest that more tailored interventions are needed. Finally, we discuss how insights from behavioural economics and energy justice can help shape optimal policy packages and processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toon Vandyck
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Calle Inca Garcilaso 3, 41092, Seville, Spain
- Department of Economics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 69, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nives Della Valle
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Via E. Fermi 2749, 21027, Ispra, Italy.
| | - Umed Temursho
- IOpedia, Seville, Spain
- Institute of Public Policy and Administration, Graduate School of Development, University of Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
| | - Matthias Weitzel
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Calle Inca Garcilaso 3, 41092, Seville, Spain
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