Project

Feasibility of recycling biomass from Cu/Zn contaminated soil to produce mineral feed supplement for livestock.

Code
01CD0721
Duration
01 August 2021 → 31 January 2022
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Promotor
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Environmental rehabilitation
    • Land capability and soil degradation
  • Engineering and technology
    • Environmental technologies
    • Sustainable development
Keywords
Phytoremediation Cu/Zn feed additives Cu/Zn biofortification Biomass recycle
 
Project description

Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) are essential micronutrients widely added to animal feed to promote growth and eliminate diseases. However, a significant part of Cu/Zn is excreted and transported to the soil with manure applications, causing Cu and Zn accumulation in soils. Phytoextraction was proposed to be considered as a potential technology to produce Cu/Zn-biofortified alfalfa from Cu/Zn-enriched soils as an alternative for Cu/Zn supplementation. Thus, the integrated technology allowed to recycle Cu/Zn into biomass that can, to an extent, substitute Cu/Zn feed additives, beneficially reducing the abuse of Cu/Zn feed additives and preventing Cu/Zn deficiency.