Focus on phosphorus issues: International IPW8 conference in Rostock presents solutions

From 12 to 16 September 2016, the 8th International Phosphorus Workshop (IPW8) entitled "Phosphorus 2020: Challenges for Synthesis, Agriculture and Ecosystems" took place in Rostock. 230 scientists from all over the world discussed possible solutions offered by current research for the responsible use of phosphorus, a limited raw material. The aim was to prevent serious environmental damage such as water eutrophication while ensuring that phosphorus, which is essential for feeding the world's population, remains available in the future through sustainable use.

According to the IPW8 participants, the most important findings of phosphorus research in recent years include the following aspects:

1. Phosphorus fertilisation and discharge into water bodies: The latest research results also confirm that excessive amounts of phosphorus are still entering water bodies. Water protection targets laid down in binding guidelines are therefore not being achieved. The researchers identified the following as important causes of this: phosphorus is still being used inefficiently in intensive agriculture, and traditional agricultural soil tests for plant-available phosphorus do not adequately indicate the risk of phosphorus leaching. In addition, it has been demonstrated that established water protection measures (e.g. reduced fertilisation) are sometimes not yet showing any success in water bodies because there are long delays before phosphorus from the soil enters the water. It has also been shown that more frequent extreme precipitation events caused by climate change promote the mobilisation and leaching of phosphorus.
2. Improvement of investigation methods: In recent years, numerous analytical methods have been refined to such an extent that a wide range of phosphorus compounds, such as the weed killer glyphosate, can now be detected in the environment and their transformation traced. Researchers are already using highly sophisticated spectroscopic methods, isotope techniques and particle accelerators to investigate phosphorus compounds and transformations in great detail.
3. Phosphorus recycling and synthesis: For the first time, various technologies for phosphorus recycling and chemical catalysis with phosphorus compounds were discussed at an IPW event as a forward-looking strategy for the sustainable use of phosphorus. Fundamental new reaction pathways and compounds were presented, as well as a variety of application-ready technologies aimed in particular at phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge, slaughterhouse waste or fermentation residues from biogas plants.
4. Genetic research approach: As the genetic basis of phosphorus utilisation by microorganisms, plants and animals is becoming increasingly better understood, new opportunities are opening up for optimising processes related to phosphorus uptake, utilisation and excretion. Examples include the identification of gene variants for breeding pigs that can utilise phosphorus in feed more effectively, or new feed supplements and feeding regimes that improve the digestibility and utilisation of phosphorus compounds by animals.

The IPW8 participants identified the following aspects as the most important areas for research and action:

1. Consistent research into system interrelationships: Too little is known about the similarities and differences between phosphorus transformation processes in different environmental systems – such as in water or on land – and how they are linked to other material cycles – such as carbon and nitrogen – throughout the Earth system. In addition, there is hardly any integrated research that looks at the relationships between phosphorus transformations on different scales, from individual cells to organisms to entire ecosystems. However, this is important because most processes in ecosystems are interconnected and can therefore only be properly understood through a holistic approach.
2. Consistent transfer of innovative technology into practice: Major scientific and technological advances have been made in both phosphorus recovery and in methods for detecting plant-available phosphorus in arable soils, which are an important prerequisite for efficient fertiliser use. However, there is still a lack of widespread practical application of these technologies. The reasons for this are very diverse: either the technologies are not yet ready for practical application, or there are legal obstacles such as guidelines and regulations that do not allow for the use of certain methods. Some of the problems stem from unclear political frameworks, such as the amendment of the Sewage Sludge Ordinance in Germany and requirements for recycled fertilisers throughout Europe. Here, the IPW8 researchers see a need for action in both research and politics.
3. Consistently promoting awareness of the problem and a rethink: A new perspective for the IPW was the inclusion of ethical, environmental legal and environmental policy aspects in the use of phosphorus. Various aspects, such as the advantages of a balanced diet against the background of phosphorus availability and pollution, or the possibility of effectively controlling phosphorus use through incentives or bans, were lively discussed at the conference. It became clear that the natural and agricultural science research approaches that have been pursued almost exclusively to date must be supplemented by corresponding social science approaches in order to actually translate the sustainable use and recovery of phosphorus as a resource into accepted practice while treating the environment with care.

Conclusion: The participants agreed that only a variety of individual measures "in concert", such as advances in breeding, improved agricultural testing and management measures, new techniques and technologies for phosphorus saving and recovery, a change in social norms and awareness of consumer behaviour, and accompanying political measures, can solve the phosphorus problem. This also requires the development of new academic structures, such as Leibniz- r WissenschaftsCampi, which support the transfer of technology, methodology and ideas.

The International Phosphorus Workshop (IPW) takes place every three years in different European countries and is one of the most important events in the field of phosphorus research in Europe. This year, Germany hosted the workshop for the first time and welcomed a record number of participants. The event was organised by the Leibniz Science Campus Phosphorus Research Rostock, an association of five Leibniz Institutes and the University of Rostock.

IPW8 Chair:
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bathmann, spokesperson for the Leibniz Science Campus Phosphorus Research Rostock
Prof. Dr. Peter Leinweber, spokesperson for the University for the Leibniz Science Campus Phosphorus Research Rostock

Leibniz Science Campus Phosphorus Research Rostock
Due to the central importance of phosphorus in a wide range of production and environmental systems, an interdisciplinary research approach is necessary. Five Leibniz Institutes and the University of Rostock have therefore joined forces in a network to intensify cooperation and research on this essential element and its sustainable management. The Leibniz Science Campus Phosphorus Research Rostock promotes interdisciplinarity in topics, projects and methods as part of its strategic research. The existing expertise in various aspects of research into the essential element P, its diverse chemical compounds and specific modes of action in agricultural and environmental systems as well as in technical and industrial processes is brought together in the Science Campus. The Science Campus is funded by the Leibniz Association and the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Consumer Protection of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.