So I have to say I'm really excited to write this blog and I think most of it is because it's the FINAL blog for the year thank God! but besides that I'm really interested about the topic biosolids. A couple years ago I found out that we actually recycle our used water, so the water from the toilets, showers, sinks, everything. Therefore I'll be speaking about how all of this happens in my blog. Firstly lets define biosolids.Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials obtained from wastewater treatment and is recycled and used beneficially. So like I said before it is recycled water that is mainly used for ferterlizer. Now I know your thinking this is just plain gross and why do we even do this but there are pros and cons to the situation.
Pros
Sewage biosolids are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as important micro-nutrients such as copper, iron and zinc. These micro nutrients make biosolids a good fertilizer because it allows the pants to grow and the soil to be rich. Sewage biosolids are especially good for growing crops such as corn, soy beans and canola. They also improve pasture. This in turn reduces the need for commercial fertilizers that can have harmful chemicals, reduces production costs and does wonders for the soil. Biosolids enhance the soil structure, moisture retention and reduce the chance of soil erosion and runoff. Not only do biosolids help the crops and soil, but it also helps the farmers. Instead of purchasing micro-nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and other resources needed to grow their plants; farmers can save money by using biosolids that naturally come with all those things. An additional benefit is that by using biosolids on agricultural lands, municipalities are able to recycle a treatment process by-product in a cost effective manner. Society in general gets to reap the benefits. As a result of biosolids as fertilizers, reduced pressure of costs to provide sewage treatment, revitalizing used up soil resources and keeping farmers in business are rewarded to society. Now doesn't biosolids sound way better than all those chemicals in your food, well I think so. By the use of biosolids we dont only benefit ourselves but the environment as well.
Cons
Cons
I know I stated alot of benefits to the use of biosolids as land fertilizer but there are some negative aspects to it. One of the main concerns is the odour,even after treatment the smell can range from a slight ammonia smell to the distinctive smell of human waste. Another concern is contaminants in biosolids. Many studies have showed that heavy metals, organic pollutants and pesticides have been in many samples of biosolids. Although some metals are necessary for plant growth, others in large quantities can cause problems with animal health and plant growth. There is also a chance that the air and food can be contaminated by the bacteria as well, leading to hazards for public health. Biosolids can also contain pathogens which can cause severe diseases.
Procedure
Depending on where you live, different countries decompose waste through different systems, but in Toronto, all the wastewater from our drains, toilets, showers and other travel through a 9,000 kilometre underground pipe system which lead into one of four wastewater treatment plants. At these plants, the wastewater is cleaned and solids, chemicals and other material are removed before being released into Lake Ontario. In the first stages of wastewater treatment solids in the sewage are set to settle, which are then later removed to enclosed tanks called "digesters". The remaining harmless waste becomes biosolids.
There is also many protocals and regulations to use biosolids as land fertilizer.Farmers have to go through many steps just to use biosolids on their land, they are:
• The government approval of the treatment processes
• Laboratory analysis of the sewage biosolids
• The receiving the soils to ensure that they meet the standards of the city
• The government approval of the fields that receive sewage biosolids
• Government certification and licensing of persons involved in preparation and land application
• And lastly detailed record-keeping
To conclude I personally think that the use of biosolids is a great thing. It is a good and realistic alternative to current agricultural practices.I think that the benefits of biosolids definitely outweigh the disadvantages. Ofcourse there are risks but come on what are the odds. Everything in life comes with a risk so why not take one, save the plant and benefit yourself by supporting the use of biosolids. Using biosolids as a land fertilizer is not only better for the land, but for society as well. It allows farmers to stay in business and make a living and helps society. I think it is an awesome,safe, and quite interesting method. Although it may seem unclean or disgusting to use biosolids as fertilizer, we have to look past where it comes from and more on the benefits it produces.
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