Imagine lakes acting like giant sponges that soak up too much phosphorus from nearby farms, which eventually makes the water toxic with algae. This project figures out how to squeeze that phosphorus back out of the water and soil. Instead of letting it pollute, they turn it into a resource that farmers can use to grow crops.
Global phosphate reserves are depleting, threatening food security, while European lakes are simultaneously polluted by excess phosphorus causing toxic algal blooms.
A system for classifying lakes via remote sensing, biotechnology to stop agricultural runoff, and methods to extract and recycle phosphorus from lakes for farm use.
If you are a bio-fertilizer producer dealing with the depletion of global phosphate reserves — this project developed nutrient recovery and recycling techniques that provide a sustainable source of phosphorus from lakes and catchments.
If you are a lake restoration contractor dealing with massive algal blooms — this project developed remote sensing and in-situ classification tools to prioritize and execute targeted nutrient removal.
If you are a soil biotechnology firm dealing with nutrient runoff in farming — this project developed biotechnology to prevent nutrient losses in agriculture at the catchment level.
Based on available project data, specific pricing or cost structures for the nutrient recovery tools are not provided.
The project aims to implement solutions at both catchment and in-lake scales across 6 countries, but specific industrial capacity metrics are not yet listed.
Based on available project data, there is no mention of specific patent filings or licensing agreements for the nutrient recovery techniques.
The project runs from 2024-06-01 to 2028-05-31, indicating a four-year development and implementation window.
It integrates by using biotechnology to prevent nutrient loss in soil and by recovering nutrients at lake inflows for reuse in agriculture.
The consortium is well-balanced for commercialization, featuring a 43% industry ratio with 3 SMEs and 3 larger industrial partners. With 7 partners across 6 European countries, the project combines academic research from 2 universities and 2 research centers with practical industrial application, increasing the likelihood of market adoption.
Contact HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR UMWELTFORSCHUNG GMBH - UFZ in Germany
Contact us to track the development of these nutrient recovery prototypes.
