The phosphorus mass balance: identifying ‘hotspots’ in the food system as a roadmap to phosphorus security

Phosphorus is a critical element on which all life depends. Global crop production depends on fertilisers derived from phosphate rock to maintain high crop yields. Population increase, changing dietary preferences towards more meat and dairy products, and the continuing intensification of global agriculture supporting this expansion will place increasing pressure on an uncertain, but finite supply of high-quality phosphate rock. Growing concern about phosphorus scarcity and security, coupled with the environmental impact of phosphorus pollution, has encouraged an increase in research exploring how phosphorus is used and lost in the food system — from mine to field to fork. An assessment of recent phosphorus flows analyses at different geographical scales identifies the key phosphorus ‘hotspots’, for example within the mining, agriculture or food processing sectors, where efficiency and reuse can be substantially improved through biotechnological approaches coupled with policy changes.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (126 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► SFA can aid sustainable P management in response to P scarcity and pollution. ► 18 recent P SFAs are assessed at different scales to identify P ‘hotspots’. ► Context-specific analyses are important to quantify P flows in a given system. ► Regardless of scale, P is lost from all sectors between mine, field and fork. ► Losses in the mining/fertilizer and food processing sectors must not be overlooked. ► P use efficiency and recovery is needed in mining, agriculture, food, household and waste sectors.