Human waste as Fertilizer!?

“Biosolids” are materials resulting from the treatment of domestic human sewage in a treatment facility. These Biosolids are actually being used as fertilizer in sustainable agriculture. You many be thinking, “What!? Human waste products as fertilizer to grow our foods?” Though this may be alarming to certain individuals, one must believe this fact. Farmers and gardeners have been recycling Biosolids for many years. Land application of biosolids take place in most Canadian Provinces and Territories. The users of the Toronto wastewater system generate about 195 000 tonnes of biosolids every year.

Like many things in the world, biosolids has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Biosolids, are nutrient rich, containing nitrogen, phosphorus and trace elements such as calcium, iron and zinc are found in biosolids. These nutrients are essential for crop production and growth. The application of Biosolids on agriculture actually reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Furthermore, the use of Biosolids reduces the farmer’s production costs and replenished the organic matter that had been depleted over time. The organic matter in the Biosolids improves soil structure by increasing the soil’s ability to absorb and store moisture. Along with its advantages there are some cons. The biggest one would have to be the potential health hazards associated with the usage of Biosolids. There are probabilities of the contamination of biosoils result from the accumulation of industrial waste. Its ‘true’ composition is unknown leading to the assumption that it may contain hazardous chemical. And as a result, these harmful pollutants can be transferred into our crops and make their way onto your dinner tables. Disadvantage is the distinctive odour they have -- depending on the type of treatment it has been through. Some biosolids have a strong odour that may be offensive to some people. The odour is caused by compounds containing sulphur and ammonium, both of which are plant nutrients.

All in all, the biosolids issue is truly stirring up some controversy in society. The advantages and disadvantages are seemingly equal. It all depends on the individual’s perspective of using ‘human waste’ to grow the foods we eat. It may seem unsanitary to many people because when you really think about it, it is like we’re consuming the waste we eliminated into our toilets, back into our bodies. But again, when you think about that argument, weare currently doing just that. We already use animal waste products as fertilizer, yet no argument is being held against it. Overall, biosolids can be very beneficial for our crops, under the right regulations. It’s time we start embracing the alternatives – get to know the benefits of using Biosolids.

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BioBlogs I have read and commented on:

Mary Abuecjo:

http://marysbioblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/all-new-fertilizer-thanks-to-you.html?showComment=1307584377243#c5706441718300282830

Meg Sanchez:
http://megsbioblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/biosolids.html?showComment=1307584752381#c5682640987141735783

References:

http://www.toronto.ca/water/biosolids/index.htm
http://www.cwwa.ca/faqbiosolids_e.asp
http://www.sencer.net/Outreach/pdfs/DCSymposium08/Posters/LUbiosolids.pdf
http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/faq/faq_results.php3?rowid=4255
http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/Sewage-Sludge-Pros-Cons.htm
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/nm/nasm/sewbiobroch.htm
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/biosolids/faq.html