So since September, we have learned about biodiversity, animals, body systems, cells but of course learning about biology includes learning about plants! Plants are everywhere, the grass, the trees, even the food we eat (unless you’re a “meat-a-tarian”). So this leads me to question, how do plants grow? Yes, it’s obvious plants need soil for all the nutrition and minerals it provides, but seeing as we are a very developing society, I’m pretty sure that we’ve come up with a product that helps plants grow and develop either better/faster/stronger/longer etc. And, tada! There is! This product is called the fertilizer; and what exactly is fertilizer? Well according to dictionary.com fertilizer is defined as:
fer•ti•liz•er [fur-tl-ahy-zer]
–noun
1. any substance used to fertilize the soil, esp. a commercial or chemical manure.
Fertilizers are used to help boost plan growth. There are two types: organic and inorganic. In this blog entry, I will be talking about an organic fertilizer that uses biosolids. But just in case any of you are curious cats, inorganic fertilizers are you guessed it inorganic, and are created artificially with chemicals such as ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride and ammonium phosphate.
Anyway, moving on...
Our unit guide states that in other parts of the world, biosolids from sewage treatment plants are treated and used as sustainable agricultural fertilizer. But what exactly are biosolids?!
Well my fellow bio students, biosolids are also referred to as sewage sludge --> aka the remains from residue waste water --> aka human waste --> aka the same human waste you just released after eating a whole ton!
Yes, It sounds gross, disgusting and even repulsive but like all things in the world, biosolids provide pros AND cons! Seeing as biosolids affect plant growth, and plants affect us, it is accurate to assume that stakeholders for the use of biosolids include the government, farmers and even us. To be a stakeholder means that one is interested in the given topic – and I think in some little way we are interested in how the use of biosolids will affect the world, Canada, and even ourselves. Maybe after gaining knowledge of both sides, we can better judge whether this is a realistic alternative for our agricultural practices.
Let’s start with the cons:
• It’s a potential health hazard since it contains waste/metals that could be contaminated or hazardous.
• The unknown true compositions of the wastes can transfer on to the crops which we eat, with irreversible effects.
•A very strong unpleasant odour.
And the pros:
• It is a green solution, as it helps to recycle as opposed to filling landfill sites.
• Promotes farming and crop production.
• Reduces soil erosion, which helps protect the quality of streams and rivers
And there you have it, just a few pros and cons the beauty (if you think of it that way) of biosolids in a nutshell. I may not be in green quest or anything... but if there’s any way to help keep our planet green, then I’ll clean! Personally, I think that biosolids are a pro for agricultural purposes. I think the view of human waste is actually very disgusting and unsanitary, but although the thought of human waste being used for plants may sickens us, makes us barf a little, and leads us to expand our imagination and compose outrageous thoughts of what else our very own waste could be used for, I still think biosolids is a checkmark!
It is a positive because it saves us from the large amounts of pollution we place in our landsite today, and we’re helping the planet, by recycling our waste. I see it as a pro because not only are we recycling, but we’re growing more plants as well. But, ofcourse there will always be people who disagree that the use of biosolids may be unsanitary, but hey! Whatever floats your boat right? I remember in elementary when my teacher told my class what hotdogs are made of – I never took the liberty to actually research and see if it was true - but if it is... then hotdogs are a pretty gross food. But, I can’t deny, I still eat them because I think I got over it and I totally forgot about it (until this entry). Which I think can apply to biosolids as well; one day we’ll get over the fact of how gross or unsanitary it is and see it for its true goodness.P.S –Before I end this entry I would like to say two things. First and foremost, I would like to take the time to say thanks for all the people who actually read and comment on my blogs, even though personally I don’t think they’re all that great. :p And second of all, this is the last bio blog I will ever have to write (unless grade 12 has bioblogs too.. ;( ) YAAAY SUMMER! :’D
sources:
http://www.compost.org/Biosolids_Composting_FAQ.pdf
http://www.biosolids.com/benefits.html
http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/Sewage-Sludge-Pros-Cons.htm
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:oI6aj1coONEJ:www.sencer.net/Outreach/pdfs/DCSymposium08/Posters/LUbiosolids.pdf+pros+and+cons+of+biosolid+fertilizer&hl=en&gl=ca&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiuQBTGicKWQPicGghh56I-E96G8RVNF_k2-HzDzZI3LRuwUGg8lCzdOkgnB_lyzYmiMpfJBSP0zevUOeFR4iD3dRwYmqdljzFIAWDLOU6beIexeRkN25LmoBfpFfoihd84lYr7&sig=AHIEtbRYGMozfYAO4FdR8OOnDsQM2fVR5A
http://www.thegardencentral.com/gardening-care/know-the-pros-and-cons-of-organic-and-inorganic-fertilizers/
