Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/sEWgKmC3dC8

 

Now that green is good, University of Michigan environmental engineers report that year-old urine contains nutrients growing plants require but is free of environmentally dangerous micro-organisms and genetic material.

 

They studied the urine of more than 100 men and women after 12-16 months of aging in sealed containers.  During that time, the rising ammonia levels lower urine acidity, kill any bacteria, and destroy any extracellular DNA.  This aged urine is safe and contains levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that effectively nourish plants.

 

Aged urine will be an excellent alternative to industrial fertilizers that often stimulate algae blooms.  Green is good; yellow may be better.

 

Heather E. Goetsch, Nancy G. Love, Krista R. Wigginton. Fate of Extracellular DNA in the Production of Fertilizers from Source-Separated Urine. Environmental Science & Technology, 2020; DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04263

 

#urine #fertilizer #plants