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Iron oxides serve as natural catalysts for releasing phosphorus to support plant growth

“Unlocking the Power of Iron Oxides: Northwestern University Researchers Revolutionize Phosphorus Conversion”

Northwestern University researchers are challenging the traditional understanding of iron oxides as simply phosphorus “sinks” in a groundbreaking study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Phosphorus is a critical nutrient for life, essential for DNA and the growth of plants. While most phosphorus in the soil is organic, plants require inorganic phosphorus, typically found in fertilizers, for their growth. Previously, it was believed that only enzymes from microbes and plants could convert organic phosphorus into the inorganic form. However, Northwestern scientists have discovered that iron oxides in natural soils and sediments can also drive this conversion.

In their latest study, the research team found that iron oxides are highly efficient catalysts, capable of converting organic phosphorus into the inorganic form at rates comparable to enzymes. This discovery could revolutionize our understanding of the phosphorus cycle and lead to more efficient use of this vital resource, particularly in agricultural soils.

Lead researcher Ludmilla Aristilde, an associate professor of environmental engineering at Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering, emphasized the importance of phosphorus for all forms of life. She explained that without sufficient phosphorus in the soil, crops essential for feeding the planet would not grow. The study’s first author, Ph.D. student Jade Basinski, and other members of Aristilde’s team contributed to the research.

Farmers have long relied on adding phosphorus to their fields to improve crop yields, as plants cannot survive without this essential nutrient. However, plants primarily use inorganic phosphorus, while most phosphorus in the environment is organic. The discovery that iron oxides can facilitate the conversion of organic phosphorus into the usable form provides a new pathway for plants to access this vital nutrient.

The researchers investigated three common types of iron oxides – goethite, hematite, and ferrihydrite – to understand the rates and efficiency of the catalytic conversion. They found that each type of iron oxide exhibited varying degrees of catalytic activity, with goethite being more efficient with certain phosphorus-containing compounds.

Moving forward, the research team aims to uncover why different iron oxides have varying efficiency in the catalysis process and how to optimize this conversion process. With phosphorus being a finite resource mined from limited locations, finding new ways to convert trapped organic phosphorus into bioavailable inorganic phosphorus is crucial for global food security.

Aristilde envisions using their findings to design synthetic catalysts that can recycle phosphorus, ultimately contributing to the production of fertilizers and ensuring food security for the future. This research opens up new possibilities for sustainable phosphorus management and highlights the importance of understanding the complex interactions in soil ecosystems.

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