REVIEW - PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL AND RECOVERY TECHNOLOGIES

A review has been undertaken of technologies to remove and recover pho sphorus from wastewater and their potential to facilitate the recyclin g of phosphorus and its sustainability. A wide range of technologies w ere identified, including chemical precipitation, biological phosphoru s removal, crystallisation, novel chemical precipitation approaches an d a number of wastewater and sludge-based methods. Phosphorus in waste water represents a significant renewable resource and there is no envi ronmental or technical reason why phosphorus cannot be recycled. Indee d, there are many potential environmental benefits from reducing relia nce on phosphate rock and associated impurities, a practice which is u ltimately unsustainable. Go-operation and leadership by government is required to progress phosphorus towards sustainability. (C) 1998 Elsev ier Science B.V.