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[[Category: Mexico]]
[[Category: Mexico]]

Revision as of 22:16, 4 October 2010

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Lots of methane gas production harnessed for use and removal from atmosphere
Effluent from biodigester
Using the methane for cooking


Intro

Testing biodigester effluent is also important in order to know how effective it is as a fertilizer. Many farmers rely on manure from their animals and biodigesters take this animal manure to produce gas. Making sure the resulting biodigester effluent can also be used as a fertilizer with equal or better results to that of traditional or commonly used fertilizers is extremely important to insuring that the biodigester can become an integrated addition to the farm.

Background

The following testing was conducted by the International Renewable Resources Institute and Biobolsa in order to test their biodidgester systems fertilizer applicability. This is part of a testing series for biodigester effluence the accompanying testing is on water quality of biodigesters.

Fertilizer Quality Expectations

Soil Basics

Soil is a complicated matrix of many minerals and nutrients not completely understood by science, the following is a break down of what is understood thus far. Soil is composed of a balance of at least 6 macro and 6 micro elements. The 6 macro elements are nitrogen(N), phosphorous(P), potassium (K), calcium, magnesium, and sulphur. The 6 micro elements are iron, maganese, boron, copper, zinc, and molybdenum. [1] [2] This list is continually extended as new minerals and exiting minerals and micro nutrients roles within soil are better understood by science.

There are different N:P:K ratio’s recommended specific for each crop and for different stages of growth including: seedlings stage, vegetative stage, and flowering and fruiting stages. So your soil and fertilizer mix should change depending on the plant and the stage its in. [3]

Seven additional nutrients beneficial to plants, but considered only psuedo-essential, include sodium, cobalt, vanadium, nickel, selenium, silicon, and aluminum. [4] The nutrients available from minerals in the soil differ in: how they're absorbed and utilized by the plant, their mobility in the plant, and the symptoms expressed in the plant from deficiency or excess amounts of the nutrient. [5]


Different Nutrients and Their Functions for Plants

6 Macro Elements

1.Nitrogen (N)=

  • is found in chlorophyll and protoplasm in plants and is an important component in proteins.
  • Excess nitrogen shows as lush soft growth.
  • Deficiency shows as a shortening of stems and yellowing of leaves.
  • Plants that are high nitrogen feeders include: squash, cabbage, broccoli and corn.
  • Most nitrogen in the world exists in our atmosphere as N2, which is not available to most plants for use, thus it is important to find and measure the amount of bioavailable nitrogen.
Bioavailable Nitrogen
Nitrate, NO3-
  • Nitrates are an important nutrient for plants. Crops such as tobacco, potatoes and tomatoes prefer nitrate as their source of Nitrogen. Nitrates are transformed from nitrites, NO2-, by nitrifying bacteria and Ammonia can be oxidized into nitrates or nitrites.[6] Fertilizers in nitrate form are more susceptible to potential leaching and denitrification losses after application than those applications of ammonium. [7]
  • In excess ( at about 5 milligrams per liter) nitrates in lakes and streams can lead to excessive growth of alga, eutrophication, and thus a loss of dissolved oxygen. Reduced levels of dissolved oxygen can cause fish deaths as well as reduced growth of native plant vegetation. [8]
  • Animals and humans cannot use inorganic forms of nitrogen and if nitrate does exceed 10 milligrams per liter in drinking water, it can cause interfere with blood-oxygen levels and lead to methemoglobinemia (or blue baby syndrome) in infants and gastric cancer. [9] [10] *Leafy vegetables in particular, under different environmental condition's, can accumulate nitrates to potentially harmful concentrations. These vegetables include Brassicaceae (rocket, radish and mustard), Chenopodiaceae (beetroot, Swiss chard and spinach), Amaranthaceae (Amaranthus), Asteraceae (lettuce) and Apiaceae (celery and parsley).

The general limits of nitrates from leafy vegetables and drinking water is 100-170 mg/day of human consumption. [11]

  • Summary: While reducing nitrate levels is an important factor in measuring effluent being returned to rivers and streams, having higher nitrate levels can be a benefit for fertilizer applications on crops as long as the nitrate levels in the fruits and veggies themselves remain below limits required for human consumption levels. This can mean that nitrate application is better for crops in their seedling and vegetative stage, while application should be reduced during the flowering and fruiting stage. Also their should be a crop specific application of nitrates, where leafy vegetables receive lower rates of nitrate application.
Nitrite, NO2

Small concentrations of nitrite can be toxic to plants, but nitrite is an important intermediate in the conversion of ammonium to nitrate in the soil. Nitrite is also formed by dentrification, or the bacterial reduction of nitrate to nitrite, this occurs under anoxic (or oxygen deprived) conditions. Nitrite is not a stable intermediate and very few cases of nitrite accumulation have been reported. The levels of nitrite usually do not exceed 0.25 to 70 ppm within soil. Accumulation however can occur in neutral or alkaline soils, since the conversion from nitrite to nitrate is inhibited more than the conversion of ammonia to nitrite. [12]

Ammonia, NH3

This is very volatile and needs to be transformed into other forms of nitrogen like urea for storage. Ammonia is the pungent smell from composts with too much nitrogen and not enough carbon. Ammonia is also the form of nitrogen most commonly converted into synthetic nitrogen compounds, like nitric acid, for industrial fertilizer applications.

Ammonium , NH4+

Ammonium is just as available to plants as nitrate, however ammonium usually does not accumulate into the soil because it readily is converted to nitrate in most conditions. [13] Ammonium is less able to leach from the soil, however it is very volatile and can easily escape in aerobic environments before fixation. Ammonium is a waste product of metabolism toxic to animals in high concentrations and thus it is converted into urea in mammals and amphibians.

Organic nitrogen
  • This is measured by the Total Organic Nitrogen, which does not account for inorganic forms of nitrogen like (NH4, NO3, NO2)
  • Urea, (NH2)2CO, urea is an example of organic nitrogen and it is produced in the body principally for nitrogen excretion. Urea contains about 88 percent of the N (nitrogen), up to 67 percent of the P (phosphorus) and up to 71 percent of the K (potassium) present in human excreta. [14] When urea is applied to the soil it reacts with water to form ammonium within 2 to 3 days. If urea is soly applied to the surface of soil some volatilization of the ammonia will occur and this can be fairly drastic in summer months. [15]
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen is the sum of organic nitrogen, ammonia (NH3), and ammonium (NH4+).

Total Nitrogen

Total Nitrogen can be derived by finding total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia, and nitrate-nitrite and adding them together. Total Nitrogen does not include N2, which is not bioavailable. [16]

2.Phosphorous (Ph)=

  • makes up the structural framework of RNA and DNA, is used to transport cellular energy in biological organisms, and forms into phospholipids, which become the main structural components of cell membranes.
  • Excess phosphorous can interfere with plant uptake of copper and zinc.
  • Deficiency of phosphorous creates thick small cells, when looking at the new growth at the tips of the leaves this may look like fungus to some.
  • Phosphorous is not found free in nature, but is excavated from minerals, rivers passing over rock with these minerals or rain coming in contact with these minerals helps erode the rock and release this phosphorous to be used by biological organisms. In 2008 based on the rates of excavation, scientists claimed that “Peak Phosphorous”, where phosphorous reserves run out, could occur within 30 years due to the increasing use of crop based biofuels. This has been reflected in the skyrocketing cost, where the raw material of phosphate has increased by 700 percent to the price of $367 per tonne. [17]

3.Potassium (K)=

  • helps activate 60 different enzymes involved in plant growth, it helps stabilize the pH between 7 & 8, regulates the opening and closing of stomats, thus also regulating the exchange of CO2, water vapor, and oxygen essential for photosynthesis, water and nutrient transport, and plant cooling. It also helps regulate the transport of sugars, the synthesis of starch, and the synthesis of proteins. [18]
  • Excess can induce a magnesium deficiency and micro nutrient deficiencies in iron and zinc. [19] [20]
  • Deficiencies may result in leaves turning purple, stunted plant growth, and delay in plant development. [21]

4.Calcium (Ca) =

  • is essential for growth and cell structure in plants as well as acting as a secondary messenger for plant uptake and plant responses to environmental conditions. Without calcium plant cell membranes deteriorate. [22]
  • Excess may cause deficiency in magnesium or potassium.
  • Deficiency may cause reduced growth or death of leaf tips; blossom-end rot of tomato; and poor fruit development.[23]
  • Calcium is removed by salinization (or salt) in drylands and deserts. Over irrigation in drylands causes irrigation water to evaporate, leaving behind increased amounts of salts. When this sodium is present in soils it suppresses the uptake of calcium by plants.[24]

5.Magnesium (Mg) =

  • is essential to forming basic nucleic acids and thus essential to all cells of all known living organisms. 300 enzymes rely on the presence of Mg for catalysis including synthesis and utilization of ATP, DNA, and RNA. Magnesium is also an important component in chlorophyll.
  • Excess in imbalance with calcium and potassium may reduce growth. Look at the table below for balancing the major ions in soil.
  • Deficiency results in the yellowing of leaves between leaf veins and poor fruit development and production. [25]

6.Sulphur (S)=

  • important polypeptides, proteins, and enzymes are made of amino acids containing sulfur. Sulfur also helps form disulfide bonds (S-S bonds), which plays an important role in the folding and stability of some proteins.
  • Excess can cause premature dropping of leaves and harmful changes in the metabolism of plant cells.[26]
  • Deficiency have yellow leaves, produce fewer seeds and appear to be more susceptible to disease, with similar symptoms to nitrogen deficiency however the effects occur on new growth. [27]


6 Micro Elements

1.Iron
  • aids chlorophyll synthesis
  • Deficiency results in yellow or white spots between the veins of new leaves, which is followed by dead leaf tissue.
  • Excess results in bronzing leaves and tiny brown dots.
2.Maganese
  • Activates enzymes
  • Deficiency results in yellowing between veins and mottling of young leaves.
  • Excess results in brown spotting surrounding by a chlorotic circle on older growth.
3.Boron
  • Forms part of Cell wall
  • Deficiency can result in the death of new growth and leaf deformation with areas of discoloration.
  • Excess results in yellowing of leaf tips followed by the premature death of cells and new tissue giving a scorched appearance to leaves.
4.Copper
  • Component of enzymes


5.Zinc
  • Activates enzymes
  • Deficiency can result in yellowing of veins in young leaves and stunted leaf size.
  • Excess can result in iron deficiency in some plants.


6.Molybdenum
  • Involved in Nitrogen fixation

Balancing Proportions between Major Ions in Soil:

Major Ions in Soil Proportion Notes
Calcium, Ca 50
Magnesium 35 add Epsom salt or dolomite if Mg deficient
Potassium, K 6 adding K increases Na
Sodium, Na 5 Na displaces Ca

[28]


Fruit and Veggies susceptible to Certain Nutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient Fruits and Veggies susceptible to deficiencies
Mg tomato plants and apple trees

Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorous values for different Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and Veggies (to produce 1 tonne) Needed Nitrogen Needed Potassium Needed Phosphorous
Tomato * 2.5 to 3 kg .2 to .3 kg 3 to 3.5 kg
Eggplant * 3 to 3.5 kg .2 to .3 kg 2.5 to 3 kg
Chili and Bell Peppers * 3 to 3.5 kg .8 to 1 kg 5 to 6 kg

1. * [29]

2.


Expected Parameter Concentrations of Influent and Effluent Water Quality from Biodigester

Parameter Mean Range
ph of influent* 6.7 6.4- 7.1
pH of effluent* 7.2 6.8 -7.5
COD of influent (g/liter)* 35.6 22.4 -45.0
COD of effluent (g/liter)* 13.5 8.8 -23.9
COD removal rate (%)* 62 2- 79
E. Coli before loading** 52,890 11,000-150,000
E. coli of effluent** 75 2- 450
  • Bui Xuan, An; Preston, TR; and Dolberg, F, 1996. The introduction of low-cost polyethylene tube biodigesters on small scale farms in Vietnam, Livestock Research for Rural Development, 8:1.

Testing

Testing Biol Samples

  • Dry or refrigerate your soil samples immediately to stop soil microbes from continuing to alter nitrogen levels. [30]


References

  1. Kevin A. Handreck and Neil D. Black. Growing media for ornamental plants and turf. UNSW Press, 2002.
  2. Dudley Harris. Hydroponics: the complete guide to gardening without soil. Struik, 1992
  3. Harris, Dudley. Hydroponics: the complete guide to gardening without soil. Struik, 1992.
  4. Kevin A. Handreck and Neil D. Black. Growing media for ornamental plants and turf. UNSW Press, 2002.
  5. Thomas Marler, Frank Cruz and James McConnell. Essential Plant Nutrients. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam
  6. E. I. UWAH*, J. ABAH, N. P. NDAHI and V. O. OGUGBUAJA. CONCENTRATION LEVELS OF NITRATE AND NITRITE IN SOILS AND SOME LEAFY VEGETABLES OBTAINED IN MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA. Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation. University of Maiduguri. August 2009.
  7. M.L. Vitosh, Extension Specialist. N-P-K FERTILIZERS. Michigan State University Agricultural Extension Bulletin. http://www.canr.msu.edu/vanburen/e-896.htm.
  8. U.S. Geological Survey. USGS Water Quality Information. http://water.usgs.gov/owq/FAQ.htm
  9. U.S. Geological Survey. USGS Water Quality Information. http://water.usgs.gov/owq/FAQ.htm
  10. C Kameswara Rao. Toxicity of Nitrates and Nitrites in Plants. Foundation for Biotechnology Awareness and Education. Bangalore, India. July, 2007.
  11. E. I. UWAH*, J. ABAH, N. P. NDAHI and V. O. OGUGBUAJA. CONCENTRATION LEVELS OF NITRATE AND NITRITE IN SOILS AND SOME LEAFY VEGETABLES OBTAINED IN MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA. Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation. University of Maiduguri. August 2009.
  12. O. L. OKE. Nitrite Toxicity to Plants. Nature Vol. 212, 528. Oct. 29,1966.
  13. Camberato, Jim and Nielsen, R.L. Soil Sampling for Assessing Plant Available N Following Excessive Rain or Flooding. Purdue University, Agronomy Department. West Lafayette, IN. June 2010. http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/AssessAvailableN.html
  14. Drangert, JO. Fighting the Urine Blindness to Provide more Sanitation Options. Water SA. Vol 24, No 2. April, 1998. http://www2.gtz.de/Dokumente/oe44/ecosan/en-fighting-urine-blindness-1998.pdf
  15. M.L. Vitosh, Extension Specialist. N-P-K FERTILIZERS. Michigan State University Agricultural Extension Bulletin. http://www.canr.msu.edu/vanburen/e-896.htm.
  16. US Environmental Protection Agency. Total Nitrogen. Tribal Water Protection. http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/tribal/pdf/cwa-reporting/Total-Nitrogen.pdf.
  17. Leo Lewis. Scientists warn of lack of vital phosphorus as biofuels raise demand. The Times. June 23, 2008.
  18. International Plant Nutrition Institute. Functions of Potassium in Plants. Better Crops with Plant Food. http://www.ipni.net/ppiweb/bcrops.nsf/$webindex/84CBB51751971AB3852568F000673A10/$file/98-3p04.pdf
  19. Thomas Marler, Frank Cruz and James McConnell. Essential Plant Nutrients. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam
  20. Joe Traynor. Ideas in Soil and Plant Nutrition. 1980. Kovak Books, Bakersfield, CA.
  21. Thomas Marler, Frank Cruz and James McConnell. Essential Plant Nutrients. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam
  22. Greg Patterson. Calcium Nutrition in Plants. Certified Crop Advisor.
  23. Thomas Marler, Frank Cruz and James McConnell. Essential Plant Nutrients. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam
  24. Mollison, Bill. Permaculture a Designers Manual. Tagari, 1988.Pg 190- 198.
  25. Thomas Marler, Frank Cruz and James McConnell. Essential Plant Nutrients. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam
  26. H Rennenberg. The Fate of Excess Sulfur in Higher Plants. Annual Review of Plant Physiology Vol. 35: 121-153 (Volume publication date June 1984).
  27. Thomas Marler, Frank Cruz and James McConnell. Essential Plant Nutrients. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Guam
  28. Mollison, Bill. Permaculture a Designers Manual. Tagari, 1988.Pg 190- 198.
  29. D.M. Hegde. Nutrient Requirements of Solanaceous Vegetable Crops. All India Coordinated Safflower Improvement Project. Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region. Solapur, Maharashtra, India, 07, 1997. http://www.agnet.org/library/eb/441/
  30. Camberato, Jim and Nielsen, R.L. Soil Sampling for Assessing Plant Available N Following Excessive Rain or Flooding. Purdue University, Agronomy Department. West Lafayette, IN. June 2010. http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/AssessAvailableN.html
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