LAKE SEDIMENT IS THE BEST FERTILIZER
Dredged lake sediment, rich in nutrients, organic carbon, and microbial activity, can be a valuable fertilizer substitute for crop production, especially in eutrophic lake
- Nutrient-Rich Potential:
Dredged sediment from eutrophic (nutrient-rich) lakes can be a source of essential nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
- Organic Matter and Microbial Activity:
Sediment also contains organic matter and beneficial microbial communities that can improve soil structure and fertility.
- Soil Conditioner:
Adding dredged sediment to soil can improve its physicochemical properties, such as water-holding capacity and aeration, making it a good soil conditioner.
- Reduced Reliance on Chemical Fertilizers:
Using dredged sediment as a fertilizer can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, lowering the environmental impact of agriculture and the consumption of non-renewable resources.
- Specific Nutrients:
Phosphorus (P) is a key nutrient in lake sediments, and recycling P from these sediments can reduce the reliance on commercially available P fertilizers.
- Fe-bound Phosphorus:
Iron-bound phosphorus (Fe-P) often constitutes a major P fraction in lake sediment, and understanding its bioavailability is important for plant growth.
- Dredging Process:
Dredging involves removing sediment from the bottom of a lake using machinery, and the dredged sediment is then transported and processed for reuse.
- Dredging Machinery:
The dredging machinery is incorporated onto a floating hull. A cutter with steel blades dislodges the sediments, and a centrifugal pump “sucks up” the muck. This sediment/water mix (called a slurry) is piped to a disposal basin on land where the water is drained off and the sediments are left to dry.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/27658511.2024.2362503#graphical-abstract