Use of Iron Mining Waste and Construction Waste for the Creation of Technosols: Integrating Solid Wastes to Combat Climate Change

• Grant number: 24/11835-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences
• Principal Investigator: Tiago Osório Ferreira
• Grantee: Beatriz Marchese Silva
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON), AP.CEPID

Abstract

Brazil stands out as one of the main producers of mining waste and construction debris, lacking an effective and sustainable system for their disposal, which generates significant environmental problems in the disposal of these wastes, such as dam ruptures and depletion of landfill space. As a consequence, in addition to producing a large volume of economically worthless waste, these human activities contribute to soil degradation, affecting primarily climate services associated with soil organic matter loss. In this scenario, it is crucial to find efficient alternatives to deal with this urgent environmental challenge and ensure proper management of these solid wastes. Thus, soils constructed from urban and industrial residues, called Technosols, have emerged as a new technology to restore degraded landscapes, potentially becoming a Nature-Based Solution (NBS). Previous studies indicate that the construction of Technosols for this purpose may be promising, but its success depends on its ability to support soil functions. However, knowledge to develop the use and management of these soils specifically is still scarce and requires advancements. Therefore, to assess the efficiency of using Technosols as an NBS, the present study aims to construct soils artificially, using different proportions of iron mining waste combined with construction debris under pasture cultivation, to enhance climate regulation services in these soils, especially for organic matter stabilization in the soil, and also to ensure a sustainable, original, and viable solution for the disposal of these solid wastes.