Phosphorus Utilization Efficiency and Status of Phosphorus Reuse in China from 1990 to 2019

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is an essential element for supporting our life and is a non-renewable resource. This study applied dynamic material flow analysis to elucidate the phosphorus flow characteristics in China over the period from 1990–2019. Based on this, we developed a P resource efficiency index system and further explored the potential reasons for the changes in different areas by analyzing the inflow, outflow, and reuse of P in various modules. Results show that the phosphorus utilization efficiency (PUE) in crop planting increased from 63% in 1990 to 72% in 2019, while this figure in feeding livestock increased from 35% in 1990 to 42% in 2019 due to the utilization of straw. The figure in aquaculture remained low at 9% in 2019. The total P amount used for human consumption increased to 2562 Gg in 2019 due to changes in dietary habits, and the overall P recycling rate (PRR) for various human activities jumped to 58% in 2019. Based upon these results, several policy suggestions are proposed from governance, technology, and economic instruments perspectives.

Keywords

• phosphorus
• phosphorus cycle model
• phosphorus efficiency in use
• circular use of resources
• China