Challenges and Strategies for the Sustainable Environmental Management of Phosphogypsum

Linda Maina, Katarzyna Kiegiel () and Grażyna Zakrzewska-Kołtuniewicz
Additional contact information
Linda Maina: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
Katarzyna Kiegiel: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
Grażyna Zakrzewska-Kołtuniewicz: Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-41

Abstract: Phosphogypsum, a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production, poses significant environmental challenges due to its large volume, hazardous composition, and radioactivity. Conventional disposal methods, such as stockpiling and landfilling, contribute to soil and water contamination and present risks to human health. This article explores the potential of integrating phosphogypsum into a circular economy framework, focusing on reducing environmental impacts and extracting value from this industrial waste. A detailed assessment of phosphogypsum’s chemical composition, including trace metals and radionuclides, is essential for effective management. This review paper examines safe handling, storage, and disposal strategies to minimize environmental risks. Additionally, innovative reuse applications are investigated, such as incorporating phosphogypsum into construction materials like cement, plasterboard, and concrete and its use in agriculture as a soil amendment or for land reclamation. The recovery of critical elements, particularly rare earth elements (REEs), highlights its potential to reduce waste and contribute to meeting the growing demand for strategic resources. Despite its promise, challenges remain, including chemical variability and the presence of radioactive components. This article identifies the technological and regulatory steps required to enable safe, large-scale reuse of phosphogypsum, emphasizing its role in advancing sustainable resource management within a circular economy.

Keywords: phosphogypsum; environmental management; circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3473/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3473/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3473-:d:1633959

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().