The sixth R: Revitalizing the natural phosphorus pump.

Autor: Abraham AJ; School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA. Electronic address: andrew.abraham@nau.edu., Roman J; Gund Institute for Environment, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05445, USA., Doughty CE; School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: The Science of the total environment [Sci Total Environ] 2022 Aug 01; Vol. 832, pp. 155023. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Apr 04.
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155023
Abstrakt: Phosphorus (P) is essential for all life on Earth and sustains food production. Yet, the easily accessible deposits of phosphate-rich rock, which underpin the green revolution are becoming rarer. Here we propose a mechanism to help alleviate the problem of "peak phosphorus". In the past, wild animals played a large role in returning P from ocean depths back to the continental interiors. In doing so, they collectively retained and redistributed P within the biosphere, supporting a more fertile planet. However, species extinctions and population reductions have reduced animal-mediated P transport >90% over the past 12,000 years. Recently a 5R strategy was developed to Realign P inputs, Reduce P losses, Recycle P in bio-resources, Recover P in wastes, and Redefine P in food systems. Here, we suggest a sixth R, to Revitalize the Natural Phosphorus Pump (RNPP). Countries are starting to mandate P recycling and we propose a P-trading scheme based on REDD+, where a country could partially achieve its recycling goals by restoring past animal-mediated P pathways. Accrued money from this scheme could be used to restore or conserve wild animal populations, while increasing natural P recycling.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
(Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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