A team of scientists may have discovered a strong way to transform one of the waste problems of agriculture into a wealth and a healthier future for communities worldwide.
In a new study published in Waste Management Journal, researchers from China, such as cotton straw, who left dry stem after harvesting cotton, showed with the help of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) into valuable, soil healing products.
Instead of admitting the straw to accumulate and contributing to pollution, this method transforms it into hydroechar and nutrient-rich liquids that can improve the deteriorated arable land.
This is important for agriculture, since cotton cultivation produces massive amounts of straw every year, a large part of which is not used.
If it does not remain managed, it often ends burned or unloaded, which releases harmful pollutants in air and water. HTC offers a more intelligent alternative that not only reduces waste, but also repairs damaged saline alkali floors that are notoriously difficult for the growth of plants.
The team found that under optimized conditions (180-200 degrees Celsius, 356-392 Fahrenheit for 3.5 hours), a 42.6% yield of hydrouction and 57.4% of liquid by-products produced, both with floor-friendly properties. For pots, the treated floor supported Alfalfa plants with a survival rate of over 91% and growth almost twice as high in comparison to untreated soil.
For municipalities that are based on plants that are grown under challenging conditions, this thrust could harvest more reliably and mean greater nutritional security.
HTC beyond the benefits of farmers could also achieve significant advantages for the environment.
In analysis against traditional pyrolysis, HTC reduced the environmental impact on the entire board, including 29% lower global heating potential, 24% less acidification and 11% less water pollution. These results indicate cleaner air, healthier soil and a significant reduction in agricultural emissions.
“Our results show that optimized HTC from cotton straw offers a double benefit: it valorizes both agricultural waste and a sustainable, environmentally friendly solution for the ground renovation of saline solution,” said Dr. Collins Elendu, the first author of the study, in a release.
The effects of this research extend beyond cotton. While the researchers refine this process, HTC could be applied to other joint by -products of the agricultural country.
Ultimately, this can help create a system in which agricultural waste contributes to healthier soils instead of pollution of the environment, which could help farmers save money for fertilizers, improve the income and reduce the dependency on harmful practices.
Reducing pollutants that contribute to health problems can benefit current and future generations. With carbon pollution, warmer climate zones increase bacterial activity and the spread of diseases, which leads to more pollution and health problems for humans.
This is another example of how science contributes to the fact that our food systems are cleaner, more resistant and better for long -term health. While this is mainly in the research phase, such breakthroughs on the future with waste management and sustainable agriculture indicate a promise.
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