Calculator Tool for Determining Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Biosolids Processing and End Use

Abstract

A greenhouse gas (GHG) calculator tool (Biosolids Emissions Assessment Model, BEAM) was developed for the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to allow municipalities to estimate GHG emissions from biosolids management. The tool was developed using data from peer reviewed literature and municipalities. GHG emissions from biosolids processing through final end use/disposal were modeled. Emissions from nine existing programs in Canada were estimated using the model. The program that involved dewatering followed by combustion resulted in the highest GHG emissions (Mg CO(2)e 100 Mg(-1) biosolids (dry wt.). The programs that had digestion followed by land application resulted in the lowest emissions (-26 and -23 Mg CO(2)e 100 Mg(-1) biosolids (dry wt.). Transportation had relatively minor effects on overall emissions. The greatest areas of uncertainty in the model include N(2)O emissions from land application and biosolids processing. The model suggests that targeted use of biosolids and optimizing processes to avoid CH(4) and N(2)O emissions can result in significant GHG savings.

Miscanthus production and processing in Ireland: An analysis of energy requirements and environmental impacts

“…This estimation is consistent with those used in published literature [64,67,68]. As emissions factors for both synthetic fertiliser and biosolids are similar, N 2 O emission rates for both are assumed to be the same according to the Biosolids Emissions Assessment Model (BEAM) [69].…”

Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Fraction Accumulation with Long‐Term Biosolids Applications

“…Biosolids recycling completes the cycle of nutrients through soil-plant-human systems (Brown et al, 2010), and it is an effective mitigation strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by substituting for synthetic fertilizers and increasing organic matter (Bogner et al, 2007). Land application of biosolids supplies a full complement of plant nutrients (Barbarick et al, 2010;Cogger et al, 2013), reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers that require fossil fuel inputs and generate greenhouse gas emissions during fertilizer manufacturing (Wood and Cowie, 2004).…”

“…Land application of biosolids supplies a full complement of plant nutrients (Barbarick et al, 2010;Cogger et al, 2013), reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers that require fossil fuel inputs and generate greenhouse gas emissions during fertilizer manufacturing (Wood and Cowie, 2004). Land application of biosolids also fosters soil C and N accumulation, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions otherwise incurred during more common biosolids disposal pathways such as incineration and landfilling (Brown et al, 2010).…”

“…Land application of biosolids has potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions with increased soil C storage and fertilizer replacement according to life cycle analysis (Brown et al, 2010). A key variable in these models is the estimation of biosolids C sequestration.…”

Integrating Historic Agronomic and Policy Lessons with New Technologies to Drive Farmer Decisions for Farm and Climate: The Case of Inland Pacific Northwestern U.S.

“…Recycling of available organic resources is considered a cfBMP for two reasons: (i) replacement of commercial fertilizers that have high GHG costs in production (Wood and Cowie, 2004;Brown et al, 2010) and (ii) their unique ability to sequester stable forms of soil C and supply nutrients (Bogner et al, 2007, Table 2). Early recognition of the important role of organic amendments (Spillman, 1906) has been supported by long term trials that consistently demonstrate that animal manure and human biosolids are more effective than crop residues for building SOM, sequestering soil C, improving soil structure, water infiltration and retention, increasing nutrient availability and enhancing microbial activity, while reducing soil bulk density (Yorgey et al, 2017b).…”