Research Perspectives on the Use of Phosphogypsum in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

The theoretical aspects, benefits, research contributions, technical recommendations, side effects, limitations, environmental concerns as well as the legislation on the application of phosphogypsum to Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) soils are discussed in this review. It is shown why it is important to apply phosphogypsum to Cerrado soils, and its effect on plant resilience to drought periods. The application of this product may become a main practice in Cerrado soils − a region in which crops as well as pastures are grown − as temperatures rise, and dry periods turn extended, due to climate change. Sulfate, as a component of phosphogypsum, does not leach to groundwater such as in temperate climate soils, turning the use of phosphogypsum environmentally friendly. The phosphogypsum produced in Brazil is a clean by-product of phosphate industry, whose rock source plays an important role providing low trace element and radionuclide contents. It is noteworthy that the Brazilian experience based on phosphogypsum application may work in many tropical soils around the globe, and many populations may be benefited from this technical knowledge.

Red Yeast Improves the Potential Safe Utilization of Solid Waste (Phosphogypsum and Titanogypsum) Through Bioleaching

“…Since 2018, China's annual output of PG and TG is about 78 million tons and 20 million tons, respectively, but the rate of resource comprehensive utilization is less than 40%, and even the domestic accumulation of PG has exceeded 500 million tons Xie et al, 2021). In addition, due to the complex composition of PG and TG (such as, Pb, F, P, Fe, and Si), discarding/stacking them in large quantities will lead to soil hardening, eutrophication, heavy metal pollution, and other serious environmental pollution problems Marchi et al, 2020;Costa et al, 2021). PG and TG are often used to produce gypsum board, high-end ceramics, cement retarder, functional filler, and decorative materials (Jiang et al, 2016;Harrou et al, 2020;Zhai et al, 2020).…”

Management of Soil Acidity and Its Relations With Soybean Productivity in Brazilian Savanna

“…Thinking about accumulating SOM, the superficial application of limestone was intensified and to minimize the effects of soil acidity in the subsurface, gypsum, being very soluble in the soil, started to be adopted (Caires et al, 2003). Furthermore, the application of gypsum in Brazilian Savanna soils has resulted in plant resilience in periods of drought (Marchi, Spehar, Sousa-Silva, Guilherme, & Martins 2020). Based on the above, the objective was to evaluate soybean yield and chemical changes in a Red Oxisol in the Brazilian Savanna with the use of limestone, associated or not with gypsum, applied superficially and incorporated by harrow and moldboard plow.…”