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Márcio Pessoa Botto
Use of human urine as bio-fertilizer for food and energy
production: characterization and use in agriculture
Brazil/Canada, Jun. 2015
National Health Foundation/ Ministry of Health in Brazil
Webinar - CAWST
Vila Tomé in Ceará?
BRAZIL
Aquiraz
Vila Tomé
BRAZIL
Vila Tomé –
researched
área.
BRAZIL
ECOSANITATION: ACCEPTANCE, CHARACTERIZATION, HUMAN URINE
HYGIENIZATION
CHAPTER 1
Objectives
CHAPTER 1
1. To conduct a survey and evaluate the acceptance of
urine-diverting toilet in a peri-urban community in
Ceara state;
2. To characterize the the composition of human urine of a
peri-urban population,
3. To investigate the storage of urine as a treatment
method before its use as a fertilizer.
CHAPTER 1
1. Pre-acceptance of urine-diverting toilets
40% of families
Statistics: Chi-squared (χ2) and
Fisher exact test
CHAPTER 1
2. Characterization of human urine
Men (n=7)
Women (n=8)
Children (n=7)
Aged (n=6)
28 people
CHAPTER 1
3. Storage as a hygienization method
Results
CHAPTER 1
1. Pre-acceptance of urine diverting toilets
Would you prefer a diverting toilet or flush toilet in your house?
Women were more receptive to urine-diverting toilets (χ2=9,331,
p<0,05).
Urine diverting toilets.
Flush toilets.
No answer.
Results
CHAPTER 1
Parameter
Analysis Unit Men
Women
Children
Elderly
physico
color
uH
521 549 550 541
Turbidity
uT
189 486 288 520
Temperature
ºC
27 27,5 27,5 27
chemical
pH
6,7 7,5 7,9 7,8
Conductivity
mS
/cm 19,3 34,7 27,5 30,8
Ammonia
mgNH
3-
N/L
1710,8 3333,3 3421,6 6697,6
Nitrate
mg/L
7,8 4,4 7,3 4,8
Nitrite
mg/L
4,5 6,9 0,4 0,3
TKN
mg/L
9701 5736 5552 8008
Phosphorus
mg/L
562,6 591,3 456,3 517,9
CDO
mg/L
10420 8162 10246 9205
chloride
mg
-Cl/L
10198,4
11520,5 11803,8
12275,9
Sodium
mg/L
2400,0 2304,0 3000,0 2328,0
Potassium
mg/L
1416,8 1012,0 1251,2 1343,2
2. Characterization of human urine
Results
CHAPTER 1
2. Characterization of human urine in different countries
Source: *: Schouw et al. (2002; Jensen et al. (2008); Jönsson e Vinnerås (2004); Del Porto e Steinfeld (1999);
Vinnerås (2001). ** Média dos nutrientes: Sousa et al. (2008); Bazzarella et al (2005); Rios et al. (2007) e Zancheta
et al. (2007).
3,5
1,9
2,3
3,4
2,5
2,9
5,4
4,0
4,1
3,2
3,8
0,4
0,2
0,3
0,3
0,3
0,6
0,2
0,4
0,3
0,2
0,2
1,3
0,9
1,1
1,2
1,0
1,0
1,0
1,1
1,0
0,6
0,9
0,0 1,0 2,0 3,0 4,0 5,0 6,0 7,0
China
Haiti
India
South Africa
Uganda
Thailand
Denmark
Sweden
USA
Brasil - poor
Brasil - middle class
Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium
Results
CHAPTER 1
2. Characterization of human urine –levels of heavy metals
Source: *Andreoli (2006) e own data (2013)
Elements
Water
treatment
sludge*
Wastewater
treatment
sludge*
Pig
manure*
Poultry
manure*
Chemical
fertiliser
Urine (own
data)
Hg -- 2,49 -- -- -- 0,073
Cd 1,5 <3 -- 3 0,1-170 0,02
Cu 134 222,09 463 748 1-300 0,03
Ni 55 37,79 -- 15 7-38 0,140
Pb 88 133,56 -- 11 7-225 nd
Zn 308 706,32 1130 718 50-1450 0,120
Cr -- 222,1 -- -- 66-245 0,010
Results
CHAPTER 1
Parameter
Analysis
Unit
Men
Women
Children
Elderly
Microbiological
thermotolerant
coli.
MPN/
100mL
>1010 >1010 >1010 >1010
Streptococcus
sp
UFC/mL
2,80E+05
9,00E+04
- -
Enterococus
sp
UFC/mL
- - -
2,90E+05
Staphylococcus
sp
UFC/mL
3,00E+04
- -
5,60E+05
Klebsiella
pneumoniae
UFC/mL
-
2,07E+06
-
Proteus
UFC/mL
- -
2,90E+05
9,00E+04
Enterobacter
UFC/mL
8,00E+04
3,00E+04
9,40E+05
3,20E+05
2. Characterization of human urine –microbiological
6,00
6,50
7,00
7,50
8,00
8,50
9,00
9,50
10,00
10,50
0246810 12 14 16 18 20
pH
Storage time[d]
Men Women Children aged
Results
CHAPTER 1
-
3
HCO
4
2NH
urease
O
2
2HH
2
)
2
CO(NH
3. Storage as a hygienization method
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
NH3+[mg/L]
Storage time [d]
Men Women Children aged
Results
CHAPTER 1
OHPOMgNHOHPONHMg 2442
3
44
266
5,53g/L
OHHCONHOHNHCO urerase 34222 23)(
3. Storage as a hygienization method
0,00
1,00
2,00
3,00
4,00
5,00
6,00
7,00
8,00
9,00
10,00
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Log. therotolerant coli. [MPN.100mL-1]
Storage time[d]
Men Women Children aged
Results
CHAPTER 1
3. Storage as a hygienization method
kb (masculino) = 0,2052d-1
kb (feminino) = 0,2094d-1
kb (criança) = 0,2281d-1
kb (idoso) = 0,2200d-1
Conclusions
Women were more receptive to urine-diverting toilets, while men
responded that they would prefer flush toilets (p<0,05).
Human urine contains very low levels of heavy metals (cadmium,
lead, zinc, cobalt e chromium).
The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in human
urine (peri-urban population/ low-income) were: 3,2; 0,2 e 0,6
kg/per inhabitant.year
The levels of macronutrients (nitrogen) were different in human
urine comparing the samples divided by gender and age-group.
The storage proved to be a low cost and very effective treatment
method considering the temperature of Ceará. The inactivation of
90% of thermotolerant coliform required less than 1 day, and the
total inactivation was achieved in 14 days. Gram-negative bacteria
were rapidly inactivated.
CHAPTER 1
Recommendations
To determine the levels of hormones and pharmaceuticals in human
urine of a peri-urban population and analyze the behavior of these
substances during the storage process.
To investigate the survival of oocysts of the protozoa
Cryptosporidium parvum and viruses during storage of diverted
human urine.
CHAPTER 1
USE OF HUMAN URINE AS BIOFERTILIZER FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION
Chapter 2
Introduction
CHAPTER 2
National Program of Production and use of Biodiesel (PNPB)
54.000 families that produce energy crops
Source : MDA (2012); IICA (2010)
Objectives
CHAPTER 2
1. To evaluate the use of human urine as biofertilizer for energy
crops, castor bean BRS 149 Nordestina (Ricinus communis L).
2. To evaluate the productivity of castor bean from the application
of different types and concentration of fertilizers (chemical and
urine)
CHAPTER 2
Source: Google Earth
CHAPTER 2
The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design
consisting of four replicates and 5 treatments.
CHAPTER 2
Treatments
Description
Type
of fertilizer
T1
Control
: cow manure and
chemical
fertilizer
Biofertilizer
(Cow manure) and Chemical
(Urea
, phosphorus, potassium and
micronutrients
–zinc, boron, manganese,
sulphur
)
T2
Urina
and dolomitic lime.
Biofertilizer
(urine) and dolomitic lime
T3
Biofertilizer
(urine)
Biofertilizer
(urine)
T4
Half
of the recommended
dose
of
urine
Biofertilizer
(urine)
T5
1,5
of the recommended
dose
of
urine.
Biofertilizer
(urine)
Treatments applied
CHAPTER 2
Best amount of urine required for castor bean
Nutritional demand for castor
bean12gN/plant, or 60kgN.ha-1
Characterization of urine:
5638,5mgN/L
Volatilization:
25% (assumed)
3,0L/pl.
1/3 in 60 days
1/3 in 90 days
1/3 in 120 days
3,0L/plant
T2
T3
T4
T5
1,5L/plant
4,5L/plant
5 a 10 cm
CHAPTER 2
Urine application
CHAPTER 2
Irrigation system
CHAPTER 2
AnalizedVariables
Growth variables
Plant height (cm)
Stem diameter (mm)
Production variables
Length of Raceme (cm)
Number of fruits per plant
Fruit weight per plant (g)
1000-seed weight (g)
Productivity –yield (kg/ha)
oil content in seeds (%)
Results
CHAPTER 2
1. First application (Wilted and burned leaves)
Results
CHAPTER 2
2. Production variables
The means indicated with the same letter within a row do not differ statistically
significantly (p<0,05)
Treatments Raceme
leanght (cm)
Number of
fruits
per
plant
(un)
Fruit weight per
plant (g)
T1 28,51a33,52b69,82b
T2 30,07a36,53b76,68b
T3 24,44a26,48a60,78b
T4 23,70a25,37a41,24a
T5 28,74a35,19b66,82b
Embrapa: 31 cm Embrapa: 35 units
Embrapa: Brazilian Agency of Agricultural Research
Results
2. Weight of one-thousand seed and Productivity
Treatments 1000-seeds weight (g) Classification
(AMARAL, 2003)
T1
502,39
High
T2
487,4
Middle
T3
484,6
Middle
T4
394,7
Low
T5
496,8
Middle
3,17% 3,73%
21,59%
1,32%
CHAPTER 2
Treatments Yield (kg/ha)
T1
1256,7
T2
1048,5
T3
671,8
T4
477,8
T5
1081,2
16,56% 46,54%
61,98%
13,96%
Treatments
Weight of one-
thousand seeds
(g)
Productivity
(kg/ha)
Oil content in
seeds (%)
T1 502,4b1270,96d55,93a
T2 487,4b1048,76c53,63a
T3 484,6b671,78b55,49a
T4 394,7a477,76a54,21a
T5 496,7b1081,18c55,41a
2. Peso de 1000 sementes, produtividade e teor de óleo
Results
The means indicated with the same letter within a row do not differ statistically
significantly (p<0,05)
CHAPTER 2
Result
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
T1 T2 T4 T3 T5
Productivity (kg.ha-1)
Treatment
y = 301,69x + 140,22
R2= 0,9592
CHAPTER 2
3. Average Productivity (kg/ha)
Conclusion
The 1000-seed weight were: 502,4; 487,4; 484,6; 394,7 e 496,8g,
respectively, forT1; T2; T3; T4 e T5. There was no significant difference in
1000-seed weight were between commercial fertilizer and human urine
application (p>0,05).
It was verified high percentage of castor oil seeds for all of the treatments
tested. The oil content in seed were: 55,9; 53,6; 55,5; 54,2 e 55,4%, forT1;
T2; T3; T4 e T5, with no difference in treatments (p>0,05).
CHAPTER 2
Conclusion
The chemical fertilizer produced the higher productivity. The average
productivity of castor seeds were: 1256,7; 1048,5; 671,8; 477,8 e 1081,2
kg.ha-1, representing significant difference between chemical fertilizer and
the other treatments.
Finding shows that increasing the amount of urine, the castor bean yield
will also increase, considering the maximum dose applied of 1.5
recommended dose.
The use of human urine to fertilize castor bean in a complementary way or
even substitute to chemical fertilizer may prove to be a viable alternative
to make biodiesel a cheaper and more competitive product.
CHAPTER 2
USE OF HUMAN URINE AS BIOFERTILIZER FOR FOOD PRODUCTION (maize)
Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
Introduction
Uso da urina em culturas alimentícias
Due to high prices of nitrogen fertilizers and low purchasing power
of farmers, most maize (Zea mays L.) in the tropics is grown under
low-nitrogen (N) conditions (BÄNZIGER et al., 1997).
The use of human excrete can contribute to nutrient recycling and
improved household nutrition and food security (WHO, 2006).
If human urine with good microbiological quality could be utilised for
plant production, millions people living in the tropics or semitropics
including the poor or the poorest of the poor could increase yields of
edible and non-edible plants cultivated in small plots or even in
pots(HEINONEN-TANSKi; 2007).
CHAPTER 3
Maize production
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
80000
Production (Thousand tons)
Safra
Maize is one of the most produced cereal in Brazil,
having high importance in the Northeast, mainly
targeting the green maize yields and grain (CASTRO,
2010).
CHAPTER 3
Objectives
a médio a longo prazo.a médio a longo prazo.
1. To evaluate the use of human urine as biofertilizer for food crops,
mayze.
2. To analyze and compare agronomic aspects: plant height, maize
cobs diameter and productivity under different doses of urine e
chemical fertilizer.
CHAPTER 3
a médio a longo prazo.
Treatments
Description
Type
of fertilizer
T1
Control
: cow manure
Cow
manure
T2
Cow
manure and Chemical
fertilizer
Biofertilizer
(Cow manure) and
Chemical
(Urea, phosphorus,
potassium
and micronutrients –zinc
,
boron
, manganese, sulphur)
T3
Biofertilizer
(urine)
Biofertilizer
(urine)
T4
Half
of the recommended
dose
of urine
Biofertilizer
(urine)
T5
1,5
of the recommended
dose
of
urine.
Biofertilizer
(urine)
Treatments applied
CHAPTER 3
12m
3m
Experiment design
CHAPTER 3
Nutritional demand for mayze
production: 60kgN.ha-1 , 4,8gN/m
Characterization of urine:
5638,5mgN/L
Volatilization:
25% (assumed)
1,0L/m
Best amount of urine required for castor bean
1/2 in 30 days
1/2 in 45 dias
1,0L/m
T3
T4
T5
0,5L/m
1,5L/m
3 a 8 cm
CHAPTER 3
Urine application
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
Analyzed variables
Growth variable
Plant height
Production variables
Cob diameter (mm)
Cob length (cm)
Cob weight (g)
Productivity –Yield (kg/ha)
Resultados
CHAPTER 3
1. Production variables
The means indicated with the same letter within a row do not differ statistically
significantly (p<0,05)
Treatments Cob diameter
(mm)
Cob length
(
cm)
Cob weight (g)
T1 34,59a13,42a81,13a
T2 40,69b14,95b127,0b
T3 40,96b15,29b141,26c
T4 42,93b14,80b118,29b
T5 44,23b16,46b160,10c
T5
T4
Results
CHAPTER 3
2. Production variables
Maize yield
5068,8
7937,5 8831,3
7393,8
10006,3
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
1 2 3 4 5
Yield (kg.ha-1)
Treatments
1,9 1,2 1,1 1,4
Results
CHAPTER 3
3. Potential pesticide
Plant affected
by pest
Plant affected
by pest
Plant affected by
pest
Conclusion
The application of chemical fertilizer and urine represented
significant increases (p <0.05) in diameter and in cob length, when
compared with just manure fertilizer.
The treatment T5 (1.5 of the recommended dose) improved the cob
diameter in 21% compared to manure fertilizer. The average cob
diameters were iqual to: 40,69; 40,96; 42,93; 44,23 mm,
respectively for T2; T3; T4 e T5.
The average cob productivities were equal to 5068.8, 7937.5,
8831.3, 7393.8 and 10006.3 kg ha-1, respectively, for T1, T2, T3, T4
and T5, representing a significant effect between urine applied at the
rate of 1.5 or 1 and urine at the rate of 0.5 or chemical fertilizer.
CHAPTER 3
Conclusion
With results already expected, T1 (organic fertilizer) achieved
the lowest yield, differing from the other treatments.
The cob weight varied according to the type of fertilizer
(chemical or urine) and also to the volume of urine applied.
CHAPTER 3
Conclusion
The urine showed to be a potential pesticide to Spodoptera
frugiperda, because none of the plants that received this
treatment was affected by this plague, which adversely affected
the productivity of the plants fertilized with chemical fertilizer.
From the experimental point of view, this study showed
promising results on the use of human urine to fertilize Zea
mays, indicating a potential application of excreta in agriculture
in order to reduce consumption or even in some cases to
replace the use of chemical fertilizers.
CHAPTER 3