New materials can "catch" heavy metals in organic fertilizer

The reporter from the Hefei Institute of Material Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, learned that the research team of the Institute of Technical Biology of the Institute, Wu Zhengyan, has made important progress in the treatment of heavy metals in organic fertilizers. The research results provide a way to reduce the hazards of heavy metals in organic fertilizers. New ideas are of great significance for promoting the utilization of livestock manure and the sustainable development of aquaculture. Related research papers were published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, the core journal of the American Chemical Society. Due to the extensive addition of heavy metals in feed, livestock manure usually contains a certain amount of heavy metal ions such as arsenic and copper, which leads to excessive levels of heavy metals in the organic fertilizer produced, which will cause serious harm to the environment and human body after application. The existence of this problem has become a key bottleneck restricting the utilization of livestock manure resources and the sustainable development of aquaculture industry. It is urgent to develop a method for repairing heavy metal ions in organic fertilizer. Researchers use clay, biochar and other natural materials to prepare a functional nanocomposite. This material has a large number of active groups, which can efficiently capture heavy metal ions such as arsenic and copper in organic fertilizer, effectively inhibiting its activity and toxicity. Prevent it from coming into contact with crop roots, reduce enrichment in crops, and improve food security. Because of its environmental friendliness, simple process and low cost, the material has high application value. "This achievement also provides original technical support for cracking the key issues that restrict the sustainable development of China's aquaculture and organic fertilizer industries." Wu Zhengyan said.