Abstract
Nutrients, including Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P), are essential elements for plants and animals to grow and thrive. Fertilizers play a major role in improving soil productivity. On the other hand, excess use of fertilizer results in eutrophication, which degrades waterbodies, soil, and the atmosphere. Increasing population is inevitably associated with an increase in food demand, which amounts to a greater requirement for nutrients. In addition, low-carbon technologies create new demands for reactive nitrogen and high-purity phosphorus. Increasing demand for nutrients for a low-carbon society raises alternative concerns, not only negative impacts on the environment but also competition between agricultural and industrial/energy applications. Awareness of the need to sustainably manage our nutrient resources has become more important than ever. It is necessary to oversee the flow of nutrients through supply chains and create a practical system which involves all stakeholders.
