Digestion and degradation, air for life

Area of Science:

• Environmental biotechnology
• Sustainable waste management
• Biogeochemical cycles

Background:

• Anaerobic degradation of dead biomass is a natural gasification process.
• This process produces methane and carbon dioxide, but also toxic sulfur compounds.
• The field has seen progress in understanding and implementation over decades.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a reflection on over three decades of research in sustainable environmental protection technologies.
• To highlight systems based on anaerobic digestion and the biological sulfur cycle.
• To discuss the integration of these processes for waste valorization.

Main Methods:

• Review of research and teaching in anaerobic digestion and biological sulfur cycling.
• Analysis of societal barriers to technological implementation.
• Integration of anaerobic processes with micro-aerobic, aerobic, and anoxic processes.

Main Results:

• Considerable progress in understanding anaerobic digestion and biological sulfur cycles.
• Implementation of these systems has been challenging due to social rigidity.
• Combining processes allows for the valorization of diverse residues.

Conclusions:

• Technological limitations are no longer the primary barrier to implementation.
• Social rigidity and self-interest hinder progress in sustainable technologies.
• Integrating anaerobic digestion with other processes offers a route to sustainability and societal justice.