Biosolids as Fertilizer

Fertilizer is amongst the few fundamental components that helps seeds bloom into plants and vegetation. It promotes plant growth and gives nourishment while boosting the soil's fertility. There are two main types of fertilizer used in agriculture; artificial fertilizer and organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer includes animal manure. Nowadays, human waste (or the scientific term biosolids) have recently began being used for fertilizer as well. Reusing human waste is questionable amongst many people as it is seen as unsanitary. It is also favoured by some as it contains many nutrients that are put to waste most of the time. Whether this new innovation is good or not requires further investigation.

Biosolids have the potential to solve many of the current problems dealing with our environment. There are many pros that come with replacing the customary fertilizer with biosolids because they contain many nutrients that are vital for producing agriculture such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Not only do they help have good absorbency, but if we used them as fertilizer, it would require less landfills and disposal sites. This will undoubtedly create a positive impact on the condition of our environment.

There aren't many cons that go against the use of biosolids as fertilizer besides the odor factor and preconceived notions that biosolids are unsanitary. It is understandable that many people may not be able to stand the odor that biosolids produce but it can be easily solved by treating it with lime to raise the pH level. It is also understandable that many people would believe that biosolids are contaminated and can carry disease-causing bacteria that pose a threat of human health. However, biosolids go through a strict treatment facility that eliminates any potential disease ridden organisms. After treatment, the biosolids are virtually hazard-free.



Here is an example of how the city of San Francisco has already accepted the use of biosolids as fertilizer and 100% of the biosolids are put to use in their crops and such.

There are no reasonable excuses as to why we shouldn't use biosolids as fertilizer. The pros far outweigh the cons and it is a good step towards helping our planet. Technology certainly needs to be acknowledged as it plays a main role in treating the waste so they can become hazard-free fertilizer.


Works Cited:

BIOSOLIDS:
http://www.biosolids.com/concerns.html

U.S ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCY: BIOSOLIDS
http://www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/biosolids/genqa.htm

VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1l55k9_ukg