ABASG II - Nutrition - "Nitrogen metabolism in Austria"
Project goal
The project goal is to estimate if the nitrogen resources available in goods or waste are optimally utilised. By means of a nitrogen balance of Austria, the resource potential of solid waste and other not utilised goods is assessed.
Summary
The the study focuses on the questions:
- How large is the contribution of waste management on the nitrogen economy?
- Where and how big are the potentials of nitrogen in the materials and waste?
- Complies waste management regarding the management of nutrient-waste, the goals of the waste management law?
- What steps are in, which outside the waste industry necessary to achieve the goals of of the waste management Act?
The nitrogen economy of Austria will be described by using the example of the the main nutrient nitrogen qualitatively and quantitatively. The reference year for the nitrogen balance is 2001. The methodological link with the resource potential to the pollution question is based zinc. This is based on the zinc balance of the year 1994.
In the year 2001 there were about 1.5 million tonnes of nitrogen or 188 kg nitrogen per person in the Austrian economy implemented. Just over one third habe been exported in products (mainly mineral fertilizer and resins). The annual nitrogen losses in the system are high. 40% are emitted in the form of different compounds into the environment, 35% are exported.
Only 5% of the input goods are treated in the waste management. The waste management is treating 82% of the nitrogen-containing waste in suitable processes. The objectives of the waste management are achieved when the equipment of the thermal processing includes a denitrification plant and the thermal processing and recycling is accordanced with the law.
The nitrogen metabolism of the economy has a greater optimization potential as the waste management. - measured by the goals of the waste management law. - The greatest potential to save resources and protect human health and the environment is in the range to the agricultural and forestry production and energy carriers.
With the overall view of the system in Austria, there was provided a clear picture of the largest rivers and stocks; on those can be turned to discuss the effect of measures.
| Attachment | Size |
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| ABASG II Nutrition Poster_english.pdf | 123.13 KB |