Utilization of Steel Slag as a Soil Amendment and Mineral Fertilizer in Agriculture: A Review

Abstract

The gradual increase in industrial wastes allowed the utilization of these wastes in different areas. Steel slag, one of the industrial wastes, is formed during the reduction of molten crude iron to molten crude steel in basic oxygen furnaces or scrap to molten crude steel in electric arc furnaces and induction furnaces. Removal, storage, or disposal of steel slag is an important environmental and economic problem. Steel slag offers opportunities to be used as an alternative material in various areas and contributes to the national economies through recycling. This research provides information about the studies and application examples on the use of steel slag as a soil amendment and mineral fertilizer in the world. This usage allows reducing the consumption of natural resources and providing great agricultural, environmental, and economic gain by minimizing the negative environmental effects of steel slag.

Keywords

• steel slag
• basic oxygen furnace (bof)
• electric arc furnace (eaf)
• induction furnace (if)
• soil amendment
• mineral fertilizer