Phosphorus Flow Analysis in Lithuania

Jolita Kruopienė (), Inga Gurauskienė and Aušra Randė
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Jolita Kruopienė: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania
Inga Gurauskienė: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania
Aušra Randė: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology, LT-44249 Kaunas, Lithuania

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: Substance flow analysis was used to analyze phosphorus (P) flows, accumulations and losses in Lithuania. P and phosphate rock are included in the list of EU critical raw materials, showing their importance for the EU economy, especially agriculture, and supply risks. It is important to minimize P losses as much as possible, avoid inefficient use, and maximize the potential of secondary P. The analysis showed Lithuania’s huge dependence on P imports, which occurred because one of the largest P fertilizer factories operates in the country, and the country also grows and exports a significant amount of cereals. In total, 69% of P addition to soil is from mineral fertilizers. The potential of secondary P is only partially used, mainly via manure, which constitutes 83% of the recycled P and adds 26% of P to agricultural soil. In total, 58% of P “waste” is either lost or accumulated, largely in phosphogypsum stacks. If this P was fully utilized, the country could reduce the current usage of mineral fertilizers by 71%; without P in phosphogypsum, the reduction would be just 7.2%. The P balance in Lithuanian soil is close to neutral. Agricultural leaching and erosion are the main reasons for P entering water bodies (78% of P) and, therefore, should be further reduced.

Keywords: phosphorus; substance flow analysis; material flow analysis; Lithuania; resource management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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