SYNTHESIS OF STRUVITE USING (XRF):X-RAY FLUORESCENT SPECTROMETER: POTENTIAL WASTE-DERIVED FERTILIZER

¹Ibrahim Yusuf & ²Saidu Hassan

Department Chemistry

Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua Yobe State

E-mail: ibrazuby@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT          

Struvite is a phosphate fertilizer, although it contains a significant amount of nitrogen and magnesium, and it is an effective alternative source of rock phosphate to maintain the agricultural production system. The present review deals with the principles and concept of Struvite formation, crystal growth, elemental contents, pHvalues. Struvite precipitation occurs in an equimolecular concentration of Mg²+, NH₄ and PO₄ at slightly alkaline conditions. Addition of a source of Mg is essential to maintain the favorable condition of PO₄ and Mg. Different factors such as Mg: PO₄, pH, as well as P and N efficiencies were also discussed. The slower nutrient leaching loss and its fertilizer quality make Struvite an eco-friendly fertilizer. It is possible to overcome the acute shortage of rock phosphate. Struvite can be beneficial, in the sense that it can be used as fertilizer. It provides a good source of phosphorus, Nitrogen and Magnesium for plant growth, Struvite is also economic feasible to be used as fertilizer, due to the anticipated global scarcity of phosphorus reserves. Struvite when used as fertilizer, it does not harm the intake or rooting system of the plants.it can be used in making ornaments, grazing activities, and can be applied on orchards and plants on pots. In addition Struvite when applied once in a growing season it has a low rates of leaching compared to other fertilizers, meanwhile, the rates at which nutrients are released too differs with other conventional fertilizers.

Key words: Struvite, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Fertilizer, Waste water.