Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

NPK: ESSENTIALS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Full text
Author(s):
Fernando Galembeck [1] ; André Galembeck [2] ; Leandra P. dos Santos [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Instituto de Química. Departamento de Físico-Química - Brasil
[2] Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Departamento de Química Fundamental - Brasil
[3] Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Instituto de Química. Departamento de Físico-Química - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Química Nova; v. 42, n. 10, p. 1199-1207, 2020-02-14.
Abstract

Human population growth and development has been largely dependent on non-renewable natural resources, which cannot be indefinitely sustained. Beyond, coal and other abundant resources cannot continue to be used at current rates due to their impact on the environment and climate. It is thus important to replace as much as possible the fossil fuels and scarce minerals as sources of energy and industrial raw materials. Biomass plays a key role in this scenario, since its availability depends on abundant but often misused resources: air, water, sunlight and land. The “oil shocks”, the recognition of impending resource shortages, the global pollution and climate change led many governments and organizations to create roadmaps to Bioeconomy. This includes the growing use of plants and animals to produce energy and raw materials, but it cannot create food scarcity. Agriculture depends on the plant macronutrients N, P and K, and this article discusses their role in plant and animal growth, production and consumption, dependence on non-renewable minerals and energy and perspectives for increasing their efficiency. Special attention is given to Brazilian agriculture that is heavily dependent on imported NPK, requiring strategic action and research. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/50906-9 - INCT 2014: in Functional Complex Materials
Grantee:Fernando Galembeck
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants