1. The Nutrient Cycle 1 Marco Bruni, seecon international gmbh

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3. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info Contents 1.Nutrients – The Fuel of Life 2.Natural Nutrient Cycles 3.How Humans influence Nutrient Cycles 4.Consequences 5.Outlook 6.References 3

4. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info The Fellow Players Nutrients are chemicals that all organism need to live and grow. 95 – 98% of living matter consists of C, H, O (MAHENDRAPPA 2007) Although only needed in small amounts, macro- and micro- nutrients are essential for plant growth, blooming, photosynthesis, etc. In relation to water manage- ment and sanitation, N and P are of high priority because of their high potential to cause eutrophication. 4 1. Nutrients – The Fuel of Life Macronutrients Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Sulphur (S) Magnesium (Mg) Calcium (Ca) Nutrients Micronutrients Various others Non-mineral Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H) Oxygen (O) Adapted from: R. GENSCH (2010)

5. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info The Fellow Players Nutrients are chemicals that all organism need to live and grow. 95 – 98% of living matter consists of C, H, O (MAHENDRAPPA 2007) Although only needed in small amounts, macro- and micro- nutrients are essential for plant growth, blooming, photosynthesis, etc. In relation to water manage- ment and sanitation, N and P are of high priority because of their high potential to cause eutrophication. 5 1. Nutrients – The Fuel of Life Macronutrients Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Sulphur (S) Magnesium (Mg) Calcium (Ca) Nutrients Micronutrients Various others Non-mineral Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H) Oxygen (O) Adapted from: R. GENSCH (2010)

6. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info The Fellow Players Nutrients are chemicals that all organism need to live and grow. 95 – 98% of living matter consists of C, H, O (MAHENDRAPPA 2007) Although only needed in small amounts, macro- and micro- nutrients are essential for plant growth, blooming, photosynthesis, etc. In relation to water manage- ment and sanitation, N and P are of high priority because of their high potential to cause eutrophication. 6 1. Nutrients – The Fuel of Life Macronutrients Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Sulphur (S) Magnesium (Mg) Calcium (Ca) Nutrients Micronutrients Various others Non-mineral Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H) Oxygen (O) Adapted from: R. GENSCH (2010)

7. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info Think in Cycles rather than in linear Processes 7 1. Nutrients – The Fuel of Life Living Organisms Environment Soil (Mineral Nutrients) Air Water Plants Animals

8. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info In permanent Circulation 8 2. Natural Nutrient Cycles Source: http://www.pikeconservation.org/soil_ecosystem.htm [Accessed: 30.01.2010]http://www.pikeconservation.org/soil_ecosystem.htm Every nutrient has its own cycle Characteristics of every cycle:  Permanent circulation  Renewable resource

9. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info The Principle – In the Past 9 3. How Humans influence Nutrient Cycles Loss of nutrients in the soil Consumption of plants and animals Return of nutrients to the soil

10. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info The Principle – Today 10 3. How Humans influence Nutrient Cycles Loss of nutrients in the soil Consumption of plants and animals Discharge of nutrients into rivers or lakes

11. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info Shortage versus Excess 11 4. Consequences 1 2 Lack of nutrients on land: Soil Depletion Excess of nutrients in bodies of water: Water pollution and Euthrophication Nutrients

12. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info The Impact on Land: Soil Depletion 12 4. Consequences Source: REKACEWICZ (2002)

13. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info The Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems: Water Pollution Accumulation of phosphorus and nitrogen in water bodies Uncontrolled growth of algae High demand for oxygen for decomposition of algae Lack of oxygen for other species ‘Dead zones’: aquatic life disappears 13 4. Consequences Source: AHLENIUS (2008) Due to sewer-based wastewater management, many coastal zones along developed countries are oxygen-depleted.

14. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info Integrated Thinking makes all the Difference 14 5. Outlook Unbalance and instability due to: Unsustainable use Sectoral thinking Mismanagement Absence of water governance Results in: Lack of nutrients on the land Excess of nutrients in aquatic systems Need for the application of artificial fertiliser Decrease of food security Less nutrients in food ‚Dead zones‘ in aquatic systems

15. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info Integrated Thinking makes all the Difference 15 5. Outlook Unbalance and instability due to: Unsustainable use Sectoral thinking Mismanagement Absence of water governance Need for an integrated, holistic approach.  Link sustainable water management to sanitation and to agriculture.  Hence, wastewater should not be considered as a waste, but as a resource, full of nutrients that can be recycled and reused. Results in: Lack of nutrients on the land Excess of nutrients in aquatic systems Need for the application of artificial fertiliser Decrease of food security Less nutrients in food ‚Dead zones‘ in aquatic systems

16. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info Integrated, holistic Approach 16 5. Outlook Source: sswm.info

17. The Nutrient Cycle Find this presentation and more on: www.ssswm.info.www.ssswm.info AHLENIUS, H. (2008): Sites with dead zones (oxygen depletion on the sea bottom). UNEP/GRID-Arendal Maps and Graphics Library. http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/sites-with-dead-zones-oxygen-depletion-on-the-sea-bottom [Accessed: 25.01.2012].http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/sites-with-dead-zones-oxygen-depletion-on-the-sea-bottom MAHENDRAPPA, T. (2007): The Nutrient Cycle “ Soil is the basis of life”. Canadian Forest Service. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/Fo103-1-1-2004E.pdf [Accessed: 25.01.2012]. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/Fo103-1-1-2004E.pdf REKACEWICZ, P. (2002): Degraded soils. UNEP/GRID-Arendal Maps and Graphics Library. http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/degraded-soils [Accessed: 25.01.2012]. http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/degraded-soils 17 6. References

18. The Nutrient Cycle 18 “Linking up Sustainable Sanitation, Water Management & Agriculture” SSWM is an initiative supported by: Created by: