2024/09/19 by James J Elser, James J. Elser, Douglas F. Call +13 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · #Phosphorus and nutrient management #Wastewater Treatment and Nitrogen Removal
paper · doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103197
openalex publication_date 2024/09/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Phosphorus (P) is essential for growing crops, but the supply of high-quality phosphate rock reserves used for fertilizer production is finite while losses of P from the food/waste system cause considerable environmental damage. A variety of emerging approaches in biotechnology are reviewed that hold promise for improving the sustainability of P use in the food/water systems. These include improved sensors, cell culture approaches to meat production, bio-based P adsorption and transformation strategies, advancements in understanding of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms, and new approaches involving biomineralization and anaerobic treatment. By advancing these technologies to scale, progress can be made in developing a circular phosphorus economy that improves food security while protecting drinking water and aquatic ecosystems. • Phosphorus(P) is essential for growing crops but the phosphate rock supply is finitewhile losses of P cause environmental harm. • Various emerging approaches inbiotechnology are reviewed that can improve the sustainability of P use. • Theseinclude biosensors, cell culturing of meat, and bio-based P adsorption. • Otherapproaches focus on polyphosphate-accumulating microbes, biomineralization, andanaerobic treatment. • Advancingsuch technologies can create a circular P economy to improve food security and protectwater supplies.