The EMBRACE Project (PRIN 2022 PNRR) aims to address the restoration of degraded Mediterranean soils and improve the structural and functional biodiversity of their communities by focusing on the valorisation and use of marine biowastes, through a circular economy perspective. Specifically, the approach relies on optimizing the production of energy and organic fertilizers from marine detritus (seagrass litter and fish wastes), reducing its disposal and obtaining organic resources that can foster the recovery of degraded soils. The feasibility of these resources, produced through a combination of anaerobic digestion and composting aided by quarry waste zeolites, will be evaluated in relation to their ability to improve soil natural revegetation and biodiversity, both above- and below-ground. In terms of seagrass litter, the project focuses on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, whose detached leaves accumulate in large amounts on the coasts and, notwithstanding their crucial ecological roles (protection from erosion, biodiversity hosting), are often removed and disposed of to favour tourism. At the same time, fishing activities produce large amounts of wastes that, coupled with seagrass litter, improve necromass C:N:P ratios. The choice of optimal waste proportions (1:3 fish:seagrass) and the addition of zeolites (working as ionic exchanger of NH4+ and Na+), favour methanogenic microorganisms in spite of the high salinity. The sustainability of the entire process, from the acquisition of wastes to their processing and the recovery of degraded soils with the produced organic fertilizers is evaluated through Life Cycle Assessment approaches.

Valorisation of marine necromass to improve soil biodiversity and restore coastal degraded areas: the PRIN 2022 PNRR EMBRACE Project

Napoletano M.;Bellino A.;Baldantoni D.
2024-01-01

Abstract

The EMBRACE Project (PRIN 2022 PNRR) aims to address the restoration of degraded Mediterranean soils and improve the structural and functional biodiversity of their communities by focusing on the valorisation and use of marine biowastes, through a circular economy perspective. Specifically, the approach relies on optimizing the production of energy and organic fertilizers from marine detritus (seagrass litter and fish wastes), reducing its disposal and obtaining organic resources that can foster the recovery of degraded soils. The feasibility of these resources, produced through a combination of anaerobic digestion and composting aided by quarry waste zeolites, will be evaluated in relation to their ability to improve soil natural revegetation and biodiversity, both above- and below-ground. In terms of seagrass litter, the project focuses on Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, whose detached leaves accumulate in large amounts on the coasts and, notwithstanding their crucial ecological roles (protection from erosion, biodiversity hosting), are often removed and disposed of to favour tourism. At the same time, fishing activities produce large amounts of wastes that, coupled with seagrass litter, improve necromass C:N:P ratios. The choice of optimal waste proportions (1:3 fish:seagrass) and the addition of zeolites (working as ionic exchanger of NH4+ and Na+), favour methanogenic microorganisms in spite of the high salinity. The sustainability of the entire process, from the acquisition of wastes to their processing and the recovery of degraded soils with the produced organic fertilizers is evaluated through Life Cycle Assessment approaches.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11386/4883458
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