Chasing phosphorus…with electrochemistry presented by Asosciate Professor Stefano Freguia

Abstract: Phosphorus is a key component of fertilisers, yet high concentration phosphate rock is a finite resource with limited lifetime. Moving to a circular nutrient economy and to smarter ways of fertilising soils will be a necessity to sustain food production for a growing planet population.  This seminar highlights current and future projects that aim to tackle the phosphorus problem from different angles: (1) P-recovery from urine with Ugold enables economic recovery of P in soluble form for reuse as fertiliser in aquaponics, horticulture and agriculture; (2) the development of a novel bioelectrochemical sensor of phototrophic activity will shed light onto phosphorus fluxes into waterways for improved land and soil management; (3) the newly established electro-soil cluster is imagining a new generation of smart soils, capable of improved plant growth and reduced P-loss to erosion and runoff.