Turning Urine into a Sustainable Plant Fuel Context:

GS III-Agriculture

Context:

A novel electrochemical method has been developed to extract urea from urine, facilitating wastewater treatment while converting it into a sustainable resource, as reported by The Hindu (TH).

Urine as a Valuable Resource

• “Liquid Gold” Concept: Urine is rich in essential nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen, which are vital for plant growth and fertilizers.
• Nutrient Recycling: Extracting these nutrients and returning them to the soil supports the completion of the nitrogen cycle.
• Annual Production: A single adult produces approximately 500 liters of urine annually, containing around 4 kg of nitrogen and 0.3 kg of phosphorus.

Significance of the Process

• Dual Benefits: Enhances wastewater management while generating a nearly 100% pure fertilizing agent.
• Potential Applications: Integrates wastewater treatment with resource recycling, promoting long-term environmental sustainability.
• Bridging the Nitrogen Cycle Gap: Existing methods lacked efficiency in extracting urea from urine. This eco-friendly electrochemical process successfully fills that gap, ensuring sustainable nutrient recovery.

Advantages of Percarbamide as a Fertilizer

• Slow Nitrogen Release: Ensures a steady supply of nutrients for plant growth.
• Improved Root Respiration: Increases oxygen availability in the soil, fostering healthier plant development.
• Eco-Friendly Alternative: Reduces reliance on synthetic commercial fertilizers, contributing to environmental sustainability.