Biosolids, Rate or Hate

You know that fertilizers help plants grow, they contain the nutrients plants need such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. Fertilizer is also composed of decaying plants, fish, bone, feces, etc. Well would you believe sewage plants also produce fertilizer? They produce a “fertilizer” known as biosolids, which are the byproduct of treated wastewater. There is much controversy to whether biosolids are good or bad.

First of all, what are biosolids? Biosolids are organic solids derived from biological wastewater treatment processes that are in a state where they can be used as nutrients and soil conditioning agents, a source of energy or some other use.

Biosolids are produced primarily through treatment of domestic wastewater in sewage plants. Biosolids comprise the solids that are removed from the wastewater and further processed before the treated water is released back into streams or rivers. Physical and chemical processes are often employed additionally to improve the biosolids characteristics, increase the economic growth of land application, and reduce the potential for public health and environmental problems associated with land application practices. These processes sanitize wastewater treatment solids to control disease-causing organisms and reduce characteristics that might attract rodents, flies, mosquitoes, or other organisms capable of transporting infectious disease. The type as well as the extent of the processes used to treat wastewater will affect the degree of pathogen reduction attained and the potential for odor generation.

Now let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using biosolids for fertilizer.

Pros:

• Recycles waste rather than filling landfills with more garbage

- Reduces gas emissions from transportation to landfills making it “healthier” for the environment in terms of air pollution.

- Contain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, copper and magnesium, which are all important for plant growth.

- Biosolids also contain organic matter which can improve the soil structure, reducing surface runoff and soil erosion.

- Promotes farming because of the large amounts of fertilizer produced

- Biosolids contain methane gas, through combustion the methane gas can be captured and when biosolids are broken down ash is a byproduct, both of which can be used to generate electricity.

Cons:

- Contamination of heavy metals, toxic organic compounds and pathogens or from accumulation of industrial waste

- True composition is unknown

- Possible contamination of food supply, the chemicals may transfer into the crops

- Potential health hazard

- Effects are irreversible

- Odor

Biosolids are considered to be unsanitary and disgusting by many, with the use of metals that are known to be potentially harmful to humans. They contain many chemicals which can transfer to crops, and ultimately if the contamination gets into the food supply, and even further to the consumers, the effects are irreversible. But these problems will only occur if the usage of biosolids is not correctly managed. If Biosolids are administered correctly, the risks become minute.

After considering both the pros and cons of using biosolids, can this be a realistic alternative to our current agricultural practices? Yes, biosolids can be a realistic alternative, the pros of biosolids far outweigh the cons. Overall biosolids are beneficial to both agricultural practices and the environment with proper management biosolids. Biosolids will help plants grow, improve soil structure, reduce pollution overall and health risks are not a concern when the use of biosolids is administered correctly.

Sources:

"Sludge, Sludge Treatment, Sludge Disposal, Sewage, Australian New Zealand Biosolids." Australian and New Zealand Biosolids Partnership. Web. 05 June 2011. <http://www.biosolids.com.au/what-are-biosolids.php>.

Reynolds, Laura. "What Is Fertilizer Made Of? | EHow.com." EHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | EHow.com. Web. 05 June 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/facts_5095537_fertilizer-made.html>.

Sunday, Posted:. "Biosolids Stink: Why Waste Our Waste?" The Daily News - Longview, Washington. Web. 05 June 2011. <http://tdn.com/news/opinion/article_c286d348-8984-11e0-8b2c-001cc4c03286.html>.

"Biosolids.com | About Biosolids: Biosolids Benefits." _. Web. 05 June 2011. <http://www.biosolids.com/benefits.html>.

Janssen, Don. "What Are Biosolids?" University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County. Web. 05 June 2011. <http://lancaster.unl.edu/enviro/biosolids/whatare1.shtml>

Commented on:

http://claudia-d-123.blogspot.com/2010/12/biosolids-as-agricultural-fertilizer.html

http://waynebioblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/coprophagous-are-we.html

There's always room for improvement

Technology has it’s many purposes, used for communication, transportation, research, problem solving, but it plays a crucial role in understanding our internal body systems (digestive, circulatory or respiratory). With technology such as ultrasound imaging, x-rays, and CT scans, we are provided with precise images that enable us to observe, diagnose and treat patients. With technologies such as these, the health care industry has developed and improved.

Ultrasound imaging exposes parts of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound scanning is used to help monitor and diagnose conditions in many parts of the body, including kidneys, the liver and the heart. It is often used to examine conditions affecting the organs in a woman’s pelvis; the uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries. The way ultrasound scans are performed depends on the purpose of the examination. The scanner can be used externally on the skin, or through the natural openings of the body. The X-ray, instead of using high frequency sound waves, uses high frequency electromagnetic radiation.

X-Rays are a form of invisible, high-frequency electromagnetic radiation; produced by accelerating electrons at a metal target. X-rays are able to pass through tissue, denser tissues, such as bones, will block more of the rays than less dense tissues, such as the lung. During an X-ray test, a patient stands between an electrical machine and a special screen used for obtaining the image; a special type of photographic film is used to record X-ray pictures. The X-rays are converted into light and the more energy that has reached the recording system, the darker that region of the film will be. A simple X-ray image can be extremely informative, detailed images can show whether or not a bone is broken or if there is a problem in the soft tissue. The CT (computerized tomography) scan, if a further development of the use of X-rays.

With the use of a CT scanner connected to a computer to produce multiple images or pictures of the interior of the body. CT scans of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity and reveal much more details than regular X-ray tests. CT scanning works very much like X-ray examinations, in this case numerous X-ray beams and a set of electronic X-ray detectors rotate around you, measuring the amount of radiation being absorbed throughout your body. A special computer program processes the data to create two-dimensional cross-sectional images of your body. Patients during a CT scan will usually lay flat on their backs, or possibly the sides, or the stomach on the CT examination table. Straps and pillows may be used to correct and secure your position. The table will quickly move through the scanner to determine the correct starting position for the scans, then the table will move slowly through the machine as the actual CT scanning is performed.

Technology plays an important role in the medical field, used for monitoring, diagnosing and treating patients, it has greatly benefited doctors and patients around the world. Ultrasound imaging, X-rays, and CT scanning are few amongst the various forms of technology in the healthcare industry. These technologies continue to develop, providing faster and more accurate results, improving the quality of these is essential to the health of the growing human population.

References:

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=genus

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ultrasound.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/xrays.html

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/x-ray.htm

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ct_scan/article_em.htm

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct

Blogs I commented on:

http://catnippp.blogspot.com/2011/04/can-you-see-my-insides.html

http://sbi3u1carminachu.blogspot.com/2011/03/importance-of-technology-to-understand.html

The Alternative

A couple days ago I went to wendy’s, I ordered a triple baconator; later that night I saw the commercial for the burger I just ate, “Made with real angus beef, you know when it’s real!” I was wondering, ‘I don’t know if it’s real, where does our food really come from?’

The beef used in Wendy’s burgers comes from a common beef cattle, the Angus cow. This cattle comes from Scotland, brought to America in the 1870s. Angus was bred with the Texas Longhorn to make it better for American pastures. Today it has over 10 million cattle in America and is one of the largest breeds. Some cattle gives better beef than others, farmers prefer these cows over others and breed them in large amounts. Now I know that the beef comes from a common breed of cattle, and animals that are commonly used are more productive than other types. However what happens to the less productive breeds?

The population of less productive breeds decline. The Meuse-Rhine-Issel(MRI) is a breed of cow whose numbers have drastically dropped over the years. The MRI is a dual purpose cow selected for both milk and meat production.

In its early years it was highly productive and were plentiful, but the rise of other breeds such as the Holstein and Angus lead to a decrease in MRI population. Within the past 15 years, 190 breeds of farm animals have gone extinct worldwide, and there are currently 1500 others at risk of going extinct due to the rise in industrial agriculture.

Breeds used in industrial agriculture are bred to produce lots of milk or eggs, gain weight quickly, or yield particular types of meat within confined facilities. Industrial agriculture is a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of livestock, poultry, fish, and crops. It has a tremendous impact on the world’s water sources and soil quality because of the massive use of chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers. We in turn consume these chemicals which is unhealthy.

Here is a video describing the flaws of industrial agriculture:

Sustainable agriculture(refers to the increase in food yields without irreversible damage to the environment and ecosystems) is the alternative to unhealthy ways. Farms raise different types of plants and animals, which are rotated around the fields to enrich the soil and help prevent disease and pest outbreaks. Animals raised on sustainable agriculture farms are able to survive without the temperature controlled buildings and constant dosage of antibiotics given to the commercial breeds. Genetic diversity prevents the extinction of less productive breeds or crop varieties. With sustainable agriculture we know that our food is grown naturally with minimal or no use of chemicals

With the rapid growth of humans the agricultural industry can keep up whether the industrial agriculture or sustainable agriculture is dominant, it simply provides a choice between unhealthy and healthy eating. People should start thinking about where our food comes from, what they’re really consuming and make better choices for the sake of their health. The choice is yours, food on steroids or naturally grown food.

References:

http://globalcommunitywebnet.com/globalcommunity/cattleandbeef.htm

http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/heritage/

http://www.rarebreeds.co.nz/meuse.html

http://www.theCattlesite.com/breeds/dairy/111/meuse-rhine-issel/overview

http://www.regionalcattlebreeds.eu/breeds/MRY.html

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/

http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/01272/id20.htm

Blogs commented on:

http://bridgettebioblog.blogspot.com

http://claudia-d-123.blogspot.com