It smells like... Biosolids?

     The question is are Biosolids  good or are they bad for our agriculture? Well first what are biosoilds. Biosolids  also referred to as treated sludge, is a term used by the waste water industry to denote the byproduct of domestic and commercial sewage and waste water treatment. These residuals are further treated to reduce pathogens and vector attraction by any of a number of approved methods (1). In other words its organic matter recycled from sewage in use of agriculture.

Lets take a look at the pros and cons of biosoild (2):

PROS
•Creates jobs

Biosolids as fertilizer(6)

• It is a cost effective method of

disposal

• Recycles versus filling landfills

• Promotes farming

• Reduces emissions from

transportation to landfills

• Good free fertilizer

CONS
• Potential health hazard

• Effects irreversible

• Contamination resulting from

accumulation of industrial waste

• Its true composition is unknown

• May contain hazardous

chemicals

• Possibly transferable to crops

• Decreases property value

(4)

•Not sufficiently regulated
•Odour

    Although biosolids may be dangerous, hazardous and have a very bad odour I think it is a great idea to use biosoilds in agriculture considering it is recycled and in can help our environment in the future. Biosoilds consist of organic matter and essential plant nutrients which can be used as soil abundant and fertilizer.  Organic matter provides soil with more improved qualities such as  moisture holding capacity, aggregation, porosity and tilth(3). These properties

 facilitates the transport of air, water and nutrients throughout the soil, benefiting the establishment and growth of vegetation(3). Biosoilds act as a fertilizer because it

 provides  essential micro ( zinc, copper and iron) and macronutrients ( nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) that increase vegetation growth and productivity. Biosoilds are a very efficient way to increase the production of vegetation.

One of the largest setback for using biosoilds as a compost is the education of stakeholders. Stakeholders can include biosolids generators, land owners and neighbours, private citizens, government representatives, and non-government organizations (3). Each stakeholder group has specific concerns which must be addressed individually in a professional and conscientious manner (3).

Biosolid fertilizer being distributed in order to grow more vegetation (5)

    As we can see biosoilds can be used for many positive things. Biosoilds help in the production of vegetation and helps provide more quality soil. I believe that if the use of biosoilds increases in our agriculture then we are making a more environmentally friendly choose although the western view of human waste is seen as an unsanitary and disgusting nuisance.  I think that it is our duty to make people more aware of the necessity of biosoilds in our country.


BLOGS COMMENTED ON:
http://natashasbioblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/give-poop-i-mean-bio-solids-chance.html?showComment=1307313911389#c655141534644482003 -Natasha richci-fried
http://caitlincosgrovebioblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/unit-1314-factors-affecting-plant.html?showComment=1307314331097#c1467906230526830579 -Caitlin Cosgrove


WORK CITED
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=ESd&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=Biosolids&tbs=dfn:1&tbo=u&ei=AsjrTcDvHaTn0QG0ka3tAQ&ved=0CCEQkQ4&biw=1366&bih=549 (1)

http://www.sencer.net/Outreach/pdfs/DCSymposium08/Posters/LUbiosolids.pdf (2)

http://www.compost.org/Biosolids_Composting_FAQ.pdf (3)

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lKw1FmxHilOiX4RHIEv0D46_BHz3sKwSqT6zam8_f35etgXyFsX0UhA4iJkqgfkfVprYkn5yphEhFdqe40hmkV8rN6b0kX4eEsIHxVA0rQKODW5kxBt38EXFw1ss9vTf-afgUDYkrDX4/s1600/biosolids-treatment-process_2.jpg (4)

https://www.mwwssb.com/images/full/ag_terragator3_lg.jpg (5)

http://www.treehugger.com/biosolids.jpg picture (6)