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https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/02/uk-scientist-wins-prize-for-invention-that-could-help-avert-phosphogeddon>
"It is one of the least appreciated substances on the planet and its misuse is
now threatening to unleash environmental mayhem. Phosphorus is a key component
of fertilisers that have become vital in providing food for the world. But at
the same time, the spread of these phosphorus compounds – known as phosphates –
into rivers, lakes and streams is spreading algal blooms that are killing fish
stocks and marine life on a huge scale.
It is a striking mismatch that is now being tackled by a project of remarkable
simplicity. The company Rookwood Operations, based in Wells, Somerset, has
launched a product that enables phosphates to be extracted from problem areas
and then reused on farmland.
This week one of the company’s founders, Jane Pearce, will be awarded a
£75,000 Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award for her role in setting up the
project. “Our product has a straightforward goal – to transfer phosphates from
rivers and lakes where they are causing real damage and move them in a simple
manner to farmland, where they can be of use in growing crops,” Pearce told the
Observer last week.
The key to the intriguing transfer is a substance simply known as Phosphate
Removal Material or PRM. Recently developed, it is about to undergo trials with
a local water company in Somerset and these will be followed up in a few months
with tests with a national company.
“Essentially, the PRM we have developed acts like a sponge that absorbs
phosphates,” said Pearce, who set up Rookwood Operations with her partner,
Liam, and a friend, Josh Hares. “It sits in the water in an open container
until it has absorbed as much phosphate as possible and it is then transferred
to farmland. PRM is made entirely of natural materials, so it can be put on to
a field and left there for its phosphate fertiliser to be taken up by crops. On
its own, PRM will enhance the quality of the soil.
The production of PRM is one of the more intriguing developments in a growing
crisis that has been dubbed “phosphogeddon” by scientists."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
