Conceptualizing core aspects of circular economy in soil: A critical review and analysis

Author(s)

Nwaogu, Chukwudi ; Minasny, Budiman ; Field, Damien J. ; Cherubin, Mauricio R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; v. N/A, p. 31-pg., 2025-01-16.

Abstract

Soil is a multifunctional sustainable pillar that holds the Earth by connecting and supporting the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and anthroposphere. Circular economy (CE) has emerged as a solution to human-environmental sustainability needs. CE implementations have been popularized across various fields including engineering, agriculture, forestry, and waste management, but comprehensive studies focusing mainly on soil circularity in scientific literature are unavailable. This paper aims to outline the conceptual frameworks underpinning soil functions, services, and threats in relation to CE. This is done by identifying and mapping the research trajectory, thematic chronology, and evolution of the concept of CE and soil from contemporary scientific literature. The conceptual network is categorized into six main clusters (viz; extraction and processing, nutrient cycling, ecosystem services, contamination, waste management, and soil-related technologies) which were assessed by applying recycling, regeneration, and repurpose strategies in the soil context. Mapping the triple-R to soil functions, our study revealed that nutrient cycling was the most published topic on CE and soil. Further, we observed that research on recycling had the most attention and increased rapidly, regeneration increased marginally, while repurpose decreased. The study concludes that thematic conceptualization based on the triple-R is neither definite nor comprehensive but is meant to be indicative and applicable considering the "triple-A (agent-action-aim) principle representing intention, action, and purpose. A comprehensive knowledge synthesis about circular soil principles could help in the application of decisive, operational, and competitive benefits, vis-& agrave;-vis fostering more studies to intensify and promote soil circularity for a better society. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/11757-1 - Assessment of soil carbon stocks in integrated agricultural systems in Brazil: a geoinformatics approach
• Grantee: Chukwudi Nwaogu
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 23/05122-9 - Coupling geostatistics and MLA for modelling and predicting the spatio-temporal dynamics of SOC stocks, drivers, and trade-offs in Brazilian integrated agricultural systems
• Grantee: Chukwudi Nwaogu
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON)
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC