Team:NAWI-Graz
"Life can multiply until all the phosphorus is gone, and then there is an inexorable halt which nothing can prevent" - Isaac Asimov
Our Approach
Phosphorus is an essential element for all living beings. It is part of the DNA and cell membranes, an energy carrier (ATP) and essential for bone and tooth structure.
Plants can only absorb phosphorus in the form of free phosphate, however, the percentage of free phosphate in soil is low [1]. The reason for this is the rapid infiltration of the free phosphate into the groundwater [2], as well as the formation of inorganic salts or organic compounds [1]. For this reason, 80% of the phosphate produced is used for fertilizer production. [3].
The Team
References
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[1] Seema B Sharma, Riyaz Z Sayyed, Mrugesh H Trivedi, Thivakaran A Gobi. Phosphate solubilizing microbes: sustainable approach for managing phosphorus deficiency in agricultural soils. 2013.
- [2] Steven R. Potter, et al. Model Simulation of Soil Loss, Nutrient Loss, and Change in Soil Organic Carbon Associated with Crop Production. 2006. S. 163ff.
- [3] vermicon.com. [Online] [Zitat vom: 24. 03 2020.] https://www.vermicon.com/de/branchen/abwasser/biologische-phosphatentfernung/.