BUONGIORNO!!!...Soil and organics to agriculture Paolo Guarnaccia AIAB, Italian Association for Organic Agriculture Department of Agronomy University of Catania ‐Italy The 31th of

BUONGIORNO!!!

Soil and organics to agriculture

Paolo Guarnaccia

AIAB, Italian Associationfor Organic Agriculture

Department of AgronomyUniversity of Catania ‐ Italy

Composting and soil need for organic matter

6th Zero Waste International Conference18-21 November 2009

Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Zero Waste Sicilian Network

This is the only one we have, we shouldn’t waste it all at once!

The 31th of December, one minute before midnight!

• 23,59’15’: Sumeri in Mesopotamia

• 23,59’43’: Alessandro Magno

• 23,59’46’: Jesus Christ

• 23,59’49’: Fall of Roman Empire

• 23,59’57’: Discovery of America

• 23,59’59’: Industrial Revolution, French Revolution,

Colonialism, I and II World War,

Globalization, … Climate Change!

Soil erosion

University of CataniaExperimental field

We should learn, again, from the nature how to be sustainable

http://www.christusrex.org/www1/francis/francis1.html

Soil and water

ECOSYSTEM

LivingOrganisms

Atmosphere

Solarenergy

Heat

Ecosystem is the fundamental unit of ecology; it has a structure but also activities which can be identified as function.

5000

Years

World populationWorld population

- 30000 - 25000 - 20000 - 15000 - 10000 - 5000 0C

hris

t 0,1

1

10

100

1000

10000

End

of th

e la

st

W

urm

gla

ciat

ion

End

of p

aleo

lithi

cne

olith

icA

grar

ian

revo

ltion

Beg

inni

ng o

f met

hallu

rgy

Bro

nze

age

Iron

age

Indu

stria

l Rev

olut

ion

Mil l

ion

i nha

b ita

nts

AGRO‐ECOSYSTEM

Crops

Soilhydrosphere

Atmosphere

Solar energy

Heat

AUXILIARY ENERGY

• soil tillage• fertilisation• irrigation• chemichals

• fuel• human activities

Yield

‐ natural vegetation‐ consumers‐ herbivorous‐ carnivorous predators‐ predators of predators

‐ decomposers of dead organic matter‐ saprophytes‐ phytofagi and predator, ecc.

Organic agriculture

“Practicing organic agriculture involves managing the agroecosystem as an autonomous system, based on the primary production capacity of the soil under local climatic conditions.

Agroecosystem management implies treating the system, on any scale, as a living organism supporting its own vital potential for biomass and animal production, along with biological mechanisms for mineral balancing, soil improvement and pest control.”

(United Nations Development Programme, New York, 1992)

Carbon cycle in the agro-ecosystem

ErosionErosion

Compost

Food

Bio‐waste

Soil is the key point of the environment equilibrium.It represents the source and the sink of all plant nutrients.

The teory of “replacing” made by Just Von Liebig (1840) according to the plant uptake of only mineral nutrients (N, P, K, …) was succesfully until when in the fields there was a sufficient amount of stabilized humus defined as “old strenght” of the soil.Many studies show today the limits of the Liebig theory. To be validate it has to take in account the soil organic matter content.

Influences of Organic Matter on plant growth, soil systemand environment

Primary effects

‐ protects soil surface from solar energy and rain drop

‐ loosen soil, provide macropores and channels

‐ increase soil faunal and microbial activity

Secondary effects

‐ enhanced N fixation, disease antagonism, ecc.

‐ production of humic substances

‐ production of polysaccharides

‐ production of other non humic compounds

Subsequent effects

‐ increased buffering capacity

‐ increased water holding capacity

‐ increased ion adsorption capacity

‐ darker soil color

‐ production of burrows, macropores

‐ increased aggregate stability, macroporosity

‐ increased mineralization

‐ increased metal ion chelation

‐ reduction of evaporative water losses

‐moderationof soil temperature extremes

‐ greater adsorption of solar energy

‐more adsorption of organic compound

‐more retention of Ca, Mg, K and micronutrients

‐increased gas exchange

‐ increased water infiltration

‐ adsorption of pollutants such as Pb, Cd, Cu

‐ increased supply of available N, P, S and micronutrients

‐ increased availability of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn

‐ reduced toxicity of aluminum

‐ warmer soil at night in winter

‐ cooler soil in daytime in summer

‐ warmer soil on average

‐ inactivation of toxins, pesticides

‐more stable soil pH

‐ better aeration, oxygen supply to roots

‐ less surface runoff water losses

‐ less soil erosion

‐ increased water availability to plants

Environmental effects

‐ less fertilizer use required

‐ less flooding, more even stream flows

‐ less of some pesticides may be needed

‐ greater groundwater recharge

‐ less water pollution

‐ less land degradation

‐ greater plant production

‐ increased sequestering of CO2

Effects on climate change

‐ Biowaste emits CO2 – short‐term (biogenic) carbon C neutral

‐ THEREFORE, biowaste as “renewable replacement for fossil fuels” a

popular argument (e.g. Directive 2001/77)

‐ Use of compost replaces fertilisers – avoidance of CO2 and other

GHG’s ought to be considered

‐ Use of compost may lock‐up carbon in the soil – “sequestration” ought

to be considered

‐ AD turns carbon into a substitute fuel (biogas: 100‐150 m3/ton d.m.) –

this replaces fossil fuels

Janssens et al., 2004

Greenhouses gas savings

use of biogas as a fuel (diesel trucks)use of biogas as a fuel (diesel trucks) 27922792

displacing mineral fertiliserdisplacing mineral fertiliser 723723

displacing organic matter: peat (1/3)displacing organic matter: peat (1/3) 24012401

displacing organic matter: straw (2/3)displacing organic matter: straw (2/3) 400400

TOTAL SAVINGSTOTAL SAVINGS 63166316

Importance of C sequestration

545.000 Gg CO2

148.636.364 ton C

16.000.000 hectares Arable Land Area

3600 ton/ha unit weight of the soil

57.600.000.000,00 ton soil

0,258% % of Carbon to be locked up in the soil in order to balance the overall national emissions of carbon dioxide in 1 year

Source: "National Communications from Parties included in Annex 1 to the Convention: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data from 1990 to 1998"

Southern Europe Soil Organic Content

Sicily

In Europe more than 20 million hectars are degraded as the result of industrial waste and of acid rains caused by air pollution, while more than 25% of agricultural land and 25% of grazing areas are endangered.

Drought and desertification are consequences of the instability of the climate, but degradation of soil and loss of fertility are due also to an intensive use of land and water resources, deforestation, inadequate agro‐pastoral practices, that it is, to a non‐sustainable use of natural resources by man.

In Italy about 27% of the territory is under threat of increasing aridity of the soil, even in the fertile plains.

UNCCD, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification ‐ Paris, 14 October 1994

… the aim of this Directive is, by way of stringent operational and technical

requirements on the waste and landfills, to provide for measures, procedures and

guidance to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the

environment.

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 1999/31/ECof 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste

... this strategy shall ensure that not later than 15 years after the date laid down in

Art. 18(1), biodegradable municipal waste going to landfills must be reduced to

35 % of the total amount (by weight) of biodegradable municipal waste produced

in 1995 ….

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIESBrussels, 22.9.2006Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection

Soil degradation is a serious problem in Europe. It is driven or

exacerbated by human activity such as inadequate agricultural and

forestry practices, industrial activities, tourism, urban and industrial

sprawl and construction works. These activities have a negative

impact, preventing the soil from performing its broad range of

functions and services to humans and ecosystems. This results in loss

of soil fertility, carbon and biodiversity, lower water‐retention

capacity, disruption of gas and nutrient cycles and reduced

degradation of contaminants.

… continueAn estimated 115 million hectares or 12% of Europe’s total land area are subject to water erosion, and 42 million hectares are affected by wind erosion.An estimated 45% of European soils have low organic matter content, principally in southern Europe but also in areas of France, the UK and Germany.

Concerning measures for combating the decline in soil organic matter, not all types of organic matter have the potential to address this threat. Stable organic matter is present in compost and manure and, to a much lesser extent, in sewage sludge and animal slurry, and it is this stable fraction which contributes to the humus pool in the soil, thereby improving soil properties.

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIESBrussels, 22.9.2006Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection

"bio‐waste" means biodegradable garden and park waste, food

and kitchen waste from households, restaurants, caterers and

retail premises and comparable waste from food processing

plants.

Article 3Definitions

DIRECTIVE 2008/98/EC ON WASTE

Article 4

Waste hierarchy

(a) prevention;

(b) preparing for re‐use;

(c) recycling;

(d) other recovery, e.g. energy recovery; and

(e) disposal.

Article 22Bio‐waste

… encourage:

(a)the separate collection of bio‐waste with a view to the composting and digestion of bio‐waste;

(b) the treatment of bio‐waste in a way that fulfils a high level of environmental protection;

(c) the use of environmentally safe materials produced from bio‐waste.

European Organic Waste Situation:Potential organic Waste in EU15:50 Mio. t / year

Treatment (2004):11 Mio t Biowaste7 Mio t Greenwaste3,5 Mio t Digestion

=> 42 %=> 42 % (+2 % to 2002)

8,5 Mio t compost

Established separate collection and composting

In implementation

In beginning phase

No activities

4 Mt240 plants

Separate Coll.in all municipalities

.

3 Mt

12 Mt800 plants

Collection + transp. costs Municipalities in Verona Province 1998

61.389

62.197

0 20.000 40.000 60.000 80.000 100.000 120.000

Dolce'

Oppeano

Peschiera

MEDIA doppio contenitore

Fumane

S.Martino B.A.

Sona

Angiari

Bevilacqua

Mezzane di Sotto

Buttapietra

Casaleone

Castelnuovo D.G.

Bussolengo

Legnago

San Bonifacio

Villafranca

MEDIA convenzionale

Cost (ITL.inhab-1 yr-1)

61.090

MEDIA domiciliarizzato

TRADITIONAL COMMINGLED COLLECTION

SOURCE SEPARATION AT THE DOORSTEP

SOURCE SEPARATION BY MEANS OF ROAD CONTAINER

€€ 31,55 /inh.y31,55 /inh.y

€€ 31,70 /inh.y31,70 /inh.y

€€ 32,12 /inh.y32,12 /inh.y

What is left in residuals? Prov. Lucca Capannori

Categorie merceologiche % (peso/peso) % (peso/peso) 20%Materiale organico da cucina; 25,12% 14,84% 2,97%Materiale organico da giardino; 9,16% 4,36% 0,87%Giornali (quotidiani e riviste); 5,09% 0,95% 0,19%Cartone ondulato; 6,12% 0,06% 0,01%Cartone teso; 2,49% 0,27% 0,05%Imballaggi cellulosici poliaccoppiati; 0,98% 1,46% 0,29%Altra carta (non imballaggio e nongiornali e riviste); 5,68% 9,77% 1,95%Imballaggi flessibili in alluminio; 0,28% 1,07% 0,21%Imballaggi rigidi in alluminio; 1,00% 0,00% 0,00%Imballaggi in acciaio; 1,20% 9,35% 1,87%vetro; 2,11% 1,26% 0,25%Imballaggi flessibili in plastica; 8,76% 1,60% 0,32%Imballaggi rigidi in plastica (bottiglie e 2,08% 0,61% 0,12%Imballaggi rigidi in plastica (nonbottiglie e flaconi); 1,96% 1,17% 0,23%Imballaggi poliaccoppiati in plastica; 0,64% 1,91% 0,38%Altra plastica: sacchi neri; 4,83% 0,61% 0,12%Altra plastica: non imballo; 2,88% 8,05% 1,61%Imballaggi in legno; 0,72% 5,75% 1,15%Tessili e cuoio; 9,08% 17,30% 3,46%Materiali inerti, 0,22% 2,64% 0,53%Pannolini; 6,07% 13,65% 2,73%RUP; 0,30% 0,30% 0,06%Sottovaglio < 20mm. 3,25% 3,05% 0,61%TOTALE 100% 100% 20,00%

after = 12,7%after = 12,7%

Diversion = 82% !!Diversion = 82% !!

15% 15% plasticsplastics

before = 71,4%before = 71,4%

BMWBMW

organics

organics

napp

ies

napp

ies

15% 15% paperpaper

Anaerobic Digestion

• Turns biogenic C into a substitute fuel

• Wider benefits (renewable energy AND soil improvers)

• Not dependent on availability of bulking materials (e.g. metropolitan

areas, lack of gardens)

• Unit investment and operational cost usually higher than composting (in

spite of revenues from energy production, even if Renewable Energy is

subsidised)

• Less independent from economies of scale

• Cost for the management of wastewaters – requires good integration of

waste management and management of wastewater

• Flexible system

• Simple technology

• Less complicate microbial biology

• Cheaper than anaerobic digestion

• But: odour management a critical issue

• Also, requires bulking agents (wooden waste or similar)

Composting

A Comparison of Anaerobic Digestion with Composting

Comparison Table From: “Introduction to Anaerobic Digestion”, Wolfgang Muller and Axel Huttner, ORA -Organic Resource Agency Ltd. and IGW – Ingenieurgemeinschaft Witzenhausen Fricke & Turk.

Presented at the Biowaste: Digesting the Alternatives Seminar, April 2005, UK.

Anaerobic Digestion: flowsheet and mass‐balance

Composting – flowsheet and mass‐ballance

36

AD + composting: flowsheet and mass‐balance

INTEGRATION OF AD + COMPOSTING

Improve facility energetic balance (biogas)

Odour control

Less area surface

Less CO2 emission

Less methane emission (potentially ‐ 20 million m3/d)

(that means a reduction of 300.000 ton/d of CO2 equivalent, 3,6% of global european emission of CO2 or about 50% of the reduction of CO2 emission for Europe according to Kyoto

Compost companies and facilities in Italy

Decreto legislativo n. 217/2006

792 trade companies registered untill February 2008About other 5,000 companies applied after February 2008

237 composting facilities in 2006 (+ 22 vs. 2005)100 facilities have a capability > 10,000 t/yr

From: Massimo Centemero, Consorzio Italiano Compostatori

Separate collection of organic waste for composting in Italy

1,800 Municipalities (20% of total italian municipalities)

7,000,000 Families

17,500,000 Inhabitants (30% of total italian inhabitants)


Compost production in Italy. Anno 2006

Green organic waste 1,080,000 t

Kitchen organic waste 1,200,000 t

Sludges 536,000 t

Other 388,000 t

Total organic waste 3,185,000 t

Compost 1,439,000 t (+20% vs. 2005)


Compost trade and prices in Italy. Year 2005

62 % Agriculture (field crops and horticulture)34% Plant nursery, hobbistic gardening4% Landscape (parks, sport facilities, ecc.)

30‐50 €/t (high investments, packaging, ecc.)0‐10 €/t (low investments, bulk product, local market, ecc.)


Financial support to farmers using compost in ItalyP.S.R. 2007‐ 2013 (EU Rural Development Plan)

Region Economic support (€/Ha/yr)

CAMPANIA 301 €/ha (area A1, A2, A3, B), 245 €/ha (C) e 167 €/ha (D1 e D2)

EMILIA ROMAGNA 180 €/ha (plain), 220 €/ha (hill)

LAZIO 100 €/ha

MARCHE 190 €/ha

PIEMONTE 180 €/ha

PUGLIA 91 €/ha

TOSCANA 240 €/ha

VALLE D’AOSTA 840 €/ha (grapes), 775 €/ha (fruit crops)

SARDEGNA € 150/ha (slope <30%), € 155/ha (slope >30%)

SICILIA from 90 €/ha (forage crops) to 600 €/ha (fruit crops)

Composting of biodegradable municipal waste in Europe

Key Observations

EU policy seeks to establish a Europe‐wide systems of standards in place for

compost that seek to ensure protection of human health and the environment

and for quality assurance systems for compost producers.

The analysis of external costs and benefits in comparison with the other options is

favourable to the separate collection and treatment of biowastes through

composting.

From: Economic Analysis of Options for Managing Biodegradable Municipal Waste . Final Report to the European CommissionEunomia Research & Consulting, Scuola Agraria del Parco di Monza, HDRA Consultants, ZREU and LDK ECO on behalf of ECOTEC Research & Consulting

… continue

The magnitude is not large because of the limitations of the economic analysis

and, in turn, of the scientific knowledge concerning the actual effects one is

seeking to quantify.

There is good reason to believe that a complete analysis would show compost in a

rather more positive light because some of the more negative aspects of

landfilling and incineration have not been yet captured and the real benefits of

compost utilisation are relatively poorly understood and not so easily quantified.


Conclusions

A policy of source separation will be justified where the collection system for source‐separated biowastes is carried out in such a way as to optimise costs.

The costs for composting are likely to be lower under mandatory separate collection to the extent that this increases typical plant scale.

Separate collection increases the possibility for implementing variable charging schemes, which can influence waste generation, and act to sensitise citizens to waste as an environmental issue.


… continue

Larger treatments such as landfills and incinerators are relative unpopular while the potential linkages with agri‐environmental / rural development policies could encourage compost utilisation (and production).

A policy requiring source separation might not be necessary in aworld where the Landfill Directive is fully implemented and where subsidies distorting the net costs of residual waste treatmentswere less prevalent than they are.


… continue

It is quite possible, even likely, that the external benefits of applying compost to land will appear greater as understanding improves concerning the complex interactions between compost and soil.

Society may come to understand that the benefits of applying quality composts to the soil, and hence, of a policy mandating source separation, are much greater than have been anticipated thus far.


Recommandations for future investigations

Further work should seek to investigate the potential for compost applications :

i. to contribute to the sequestration of carbon, and also, the build up of organic matter in the soil;

ii. to reduce requirements for pesticide use in agriculture and other forms of cultivation;

iii. to offset nitrous oxide emissions associated with the use of manures and synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers;

iv. to reduce the likelihood of flooding owing to compost tendency to support greater infiltration and retention of water.


… from landfill and incinerators to composting!!!

Enzo FavoinoScuola Agraria del Parco di Monza

My special thank to:

GRAZIE e …ARRIVEDERCI!!!

Documents

BUONGIORNO!!!...Soil and organics to agriculture Paolo Guarnaccia AIAB, Italian Association for Organic Agriculture Department of Agronomy University of Catania ‐Italy The 31th of