Integrated Framework to Assess Advanced Phosphorus Recycling as a Sustainable Alternative to Sewage Sludge in Agricultural Soils

Juan Serrano-Gomez (), Henrique Rasera Raniro, Ludwig Hermann, Manuel Pulido-Velazquez and Matthias Zessner
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Juan Serrano-Gomez: Department of Civil Engineering, TU Wien, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
Henrique Rasera Raniro: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej, 40, 1821 Frederiksberg, Denmark
Ludwig Hermann: Proman Consulting GmbH, 2214 Auersthal, Austria
Manuel Pulido-Velazquez: Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Polytechnic University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Matthias Zessner: Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, TU Wien, A-1040 Vienna, Austria

Waste, 2025, vol. 3, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Advanced phosphorus (P) recycling from wastewater is critical for improving nutrient circularity and reducing soil pollution associated with the direct application of sewage sludge in agriculture. However, few studies evaluate the long-term environmental and economic trade-offs between recycled P products and raw sewage sludge application. This study compares struvite, vivianite, and dicalcium phosphate (CaP) as P alternatives to sludge to mitigate heavy metal accumulation in Spanish agricultural soils. Using data from 27,835 plots, heavy metal accumulation was simulated over 50- and 100-year fertilisation scenarios. The results indicate that continuous sludge application leads to widespread exceedances of zinc, copper, and cadmium, especially in alkaline soils, whereas substitution with recycled products can substantially reduce these risks. Vivianite balances P recycling and costs, CaP offers the best environmental performance but with higher investment, and struvite suits smaller regions prioritising environmental safety. Economic analysis favours advanced recycling over sludge, especially considering externalities such as soil remediation costs. Despite limitations, our findings emphasise the importance of integrating environmental externalities into economic assessments and the value of advanced P recycling for sustainable soil management.

Keywords: cost-benefit; phosphorus; recycling; sludge; soil pollution; wastewater (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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