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A systematic comparison of commercially produced struvite: Quantities, qualities and soil-maize phosphorus
Maarten Muys1, Rishav Phukan1, Günter Brader2
1Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 11, 2020
Summary
Struvite recovery from waste streams offers a sustainable phosphorus source for the EU fertilizer market. Most European struvite meets quality standards, though some require adjustments for regulatory compliance.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Agricultural Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Phosphorus (P) recovery as struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) from waste streams is crucial for addressing EU critical raw material concerns.
- The 2019 EU fertilizer regulation aims to standardize the trade of P-containing secondary raw materials like struvite.
- A comprehensive assessment of EU struvite supply and quality is currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify current EU struvite production volumes.
- To evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and pathogen content of European struvite against new EU regulatory limits.
- To compare unregulated struvite characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Estimation of P recovery as struvite in the EU for 2020.
- Sampling and analysis of struvite from 24 European production plants.
- Physicochemical, mineralogical, heavy metal, and microbiological analyses.
- Morphological and particle size distribution analysis.
- Soil-plant P-availability and plant biomass yield testing.
Main Results:
- Estimated 990–1250 tons P recovered as struvite in the EU in 2020.
- Three samples failed physicochemical limits (P content <7%, organic carbon >3% DW); all heavy metal contents were below legal limits.
- Mineralogy showed 19/24 samples with >80% struvite DW; microbiological analyses indicated potential exceedances of certain legal limits.
- Distinct morphology and particle size distributions were observed based on the source material (digestate, dewatering liquor, potato wastewater sludge).
- Uniform P availability (3.5–6.5 mg P/L/d) and no significant differences in plant biomass yield were found across samples.
Conclusions:
- Most European struvite meets the quality requirements for the EU fertilizer market.
- Minor adjustments regarding physicochemical parameters and pathogen control may be needed for some struvite products.
- Struvite demonstrates consistent P availability and supports plant growth, validating its use as a secondary fertilizer.
