Global phosphorous summit planned for Ghana
The upcoming event will see scientists, policymakers and industry leaders from around the world meet to address the urgent need for sustainable phosphorus management.
Phosphorus, a key component of fertiliser essential for crop and animal production, is now recognised as both a critical finite resource and a pollutant threatening aquatic ecosystems.
With global demand rising and environmental concerns mounting, experts say coordinated global action is needed to avoid a crisis that could jeopardise food security and water quality worldwide.
The 8th Sustainable Phosphorus Summit (SPS8), being held in Accra, is jointly organised by Lancaster University, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), Rothamsted Research, the Council for Scientific Research in Ghana, and the Forum for Agricultural Research Africa.
It marks the first time the global conference has been hosted in Africa - a region where phosphorus use remains far below optimal levels, despite growing agricultural needs.
Phosphorus use in African agriculture is generally sub-optimal and has declined sharply since the late 20th century.
Experts warn that without urgent investment and innovation, the region's food production could falter under the twin pressures of population growth and climate change.
While examples of sustainable phosphorus measures in Africa exist, including monitoring of water resources and recycling of biomass waste, these are often implemented only at pilot scale.
Nevertheless, increasing fertiliser accessibility and optimising application remains a key priority to ensure improvements in farmer livelihoods and food security in the region.
However, options for many African farmers are limited. While repeated use of cattle manure can contribute to recycling phosphorus to soil, this is not always practical for most smallholder farmers to achieve due to low numbers of livestock.
The use of phosphate rock has been proposed as an alternative and is gaining momentum in Africa where the acidity of soils helps dissolve the phosphate.
However, phosphorus can interact with other micronutrients which can be sparse in some of the continent's soils.
For instance, it can affect zinc uptake in plants and subsequent dietary intake in humans, especially in communities reliant on plant-based diets.
There is a need, therefore, for balanced phosphorus fertiliser application and increased recognition of its potential interactions with other essential nutrients.
Meanwhile, inefficient phosphorus use elsewhere, particularly in high-income countries, has led to widespread pollution of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, fuelling toxic algal blooms that threaten biodiversity and human health.
Although current reserves of phosphorus are not at immediate risk of depletion, the uneven global distribution of phosphorus-rich rocks, coupled with rising demand for the mineral in lithium battery production and other industries, adds to concerns about long-term security and sustainability.
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Agriland
a day ago
- Agriland
Global phosphorous summit planned for Ghana
A global phosphorous summit is planned for Ghana next month (September 2025) as fears grow for the sustainable use of this key plant nutrient, particularly in Africa. The upcoming event will see scientists, policymakers and industry leaders from around the world meet to address the urgent need for sustainable phosphorus management. Phosphorus, a key component of fertiliser essential for crop and animal production, is now recognised as both a critical finite resource and a pollutant threatening aquatic ecosystems. With global demand rising and environmental concerns mounting, experts say coordinated global action is needed to avoid a crisis that could jeopardise food security and water quality worldwide. The 8th Sustainable Phosphorus Summit (SPS8), being held in Accra, is jointly organised by Lancaster University, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), Rothamsted Research, the Council for Scientific Research in Ghana, and the Forum for Agricultural Research Africa. It marks the first time the global conference has been hosted in Africa - a region where phosphorus use remains far below optimal levels, despite growing agricultural needs. Phosphorus use in African agriculture is generally sub-optimal and has declined sharply since the late 20th century. Experts warn that without urgent investment and innovation, the region's food production could falter under the twin pressures of population growth and climate change. While examples of sustainable phosphorus measures in Africa exist, including monitoring of water resources and recycling of biomass waste, these are often implemented only at pilot scale. Nevertheless, increasing fertiliser accessibility and optimising application remains a key priority to ensure improvements in farmer livelihoods and food security in the region. However, options for many African farmers are limited. While repeated use of cattle manure can contribute to recycling phosphorus to soil, this is not always practical for most smallholder farmers to achieve due to low numbers of livestock. The use of phosphate rock has been proposed as an alternative and is gaining momentum in Africa where the acidity of soils helps dissolve the phosphate. However, phosphorus can interact with other micronutrients which can be sparse in some of the continent's soils. For instance, it can affect zinc uptake in plants and subsequent dietary intake in humans, especially in communities reliant on plant-based diets. There is a need, therefore, for balanced phosphorus fertiliser application and increased recognition of its potential interactions with other essential nutrients. Meanwhile, inefficient phosphorus use elsewhere, particularly in high-income countries, has led to widespread pollution of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, fuelling toxic algal blooms that threaten biodiversity and human health. Although current reserves of phosphorus are not at immediate risk of depletion, the uneven global distribution of phosphorus-rich rocks, coupled with rising demand for the mineral in lithium battery production and other industries, adds to concerns about long-term security and sustainability.
Irish Independent
01-08-2025
- Irish Independent
‘Scrumping' apes started human drinking culture, new research suggests
Human drinking culture may owe a debt to great apes who forage boozy fermented fruit from the forest floor, scientists believe. Although intentionally fermented drinks date from the Neolithic period, humans' ability to metabolise alcohol happened far earlier, and is likely to have evolved in our primate ancestors. A new study, by the University of St Andrews and Dartmouth College, shows that our closest relatives still 'scrump' fallen fruit. Scientists believe that similar behaviour millions of years ago could have driven the single amino acid change in human biology that allowed our ancestors to safely process ethanol. 'Scrumping by the last common ancestor of gorillas, chimpanzees and humans about 10 million years ago could explain why humans are so astoundingly good at digesting alcohol,' said Nathaniel Dominy, a professor of anthropology at Dartmouth. 'We evolved to metabolise alcohol long before we ever figured out how to make it, and making it was one of the major drivers of the Neolithic Revolution that turned us from hunter-gatherers into farmers and changed the world.' Scrumping is the act of gathering or sometimes stealing wind-fallen apples and other fruits. Previous studies of the human genome have shown that the ability to process alcohol dates from around 10 million years ago, about the same time when our ancestors were moving from the trees to the ground. Great apes such as gorillas, who shared an ancestor with humans between eight and 10 million years ago also possess the same enzyme that helps them efficiently break down ethanol like humans. For the new study, researchers looked into how often apes such as chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans foraged fallen fruit from the ground. The researchers found that African apes 'scrump' on a regular basis, but orangutans do not. Scrumping fruit may have also triggered social drinking. Experts believe that metabolising ethanol may let African apes safely eat the ripe, fermented fruit they find on the ground, and give them an extra advantage over monkeys who could only eat unripe fruit from trees. Scrumping fruit on the ground may also have triggered another human trait − social drinking. Catherine Hobaiter, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at St Andrews said: 'A fundamental feature of our relationship with alcohol is our tendency to drink together, whether a pint with friends or a large social feast.' The study was published in the journal Bioscience.
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Map of Earth's underworld shows hidden ‘blobs' blamed for wiping out almost all life & killing the dinosaurs
MYSTERIOUS 'BLOBS' lurking beneath the Earth's surface could be responsible for the cataclysmic volcanic eruptions that helped kill off the dinosaurs. While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role. Advertisement 4 These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 4 While an asteroid impact was the main force behind the demise of the dinosaurs, a chain of violent volcanic eruptions that followed the impact is also thought to have played a role Credit: Getty 4 There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, according to researchers Credit: Cucchiaro et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2025 Volcanic eruptions can wipe out entire cities - just look at Pompeii - and even wipe out life on Earth. The source of these Earth-shattering eruptions can be traced back to specific features deep within Earth's underworld, called 'BLOBS', according to a new study. These so-called 'BLOBS' - which stands for big lower-mantle basal structures - lie thousands of kilometers below Earth's surface. And they move just like the tectonic plates above them. Advertisement READ MORE ON EARTH SCIENCE There are two giant 'BLOBS' that are both the size of continents hiding under the African and Pacific hemispheres, researchers said. Volcanologist Annalise Cucchiaro from the University of Wollongong in Australia, discovered these 'BLOBS' with her colleagues. They say these deep Earth structures have a direct influence on volcanic activity above ground. Giant volcanic eruptions occur when deep mantle plumes - scorching columns of rock - rise from nearly 3,000 kilometers below the surface. Advertisement Most read in Science Analysing three different datasets on large volcanic eruptions that occurred around 300 million years ago, the researchers concluded that the 'BLOBS' are the source of these plumes. "This work highlights the importance of mantle plumes in acting as 'magma highways' to the surface, creating these giant eruptions," Cucchiaro World's smallest volcano found by locals after bursting from ground in Peru "It also shows that these plumes move along with their source, the BLOBS." Although some mysteries remain - like whether the BLOBS are fixed in place or if they travel across the underworld. Advertisement "This research cracks open one of the questions that has long plagued scientists – are the BLOBS stationary or mobile and how do they relate to giant volcanic explosions – so it is a thrill to finally [be able] to unravel these mysteries," added geoscientist Nicholas Flament. What the new research suggests is that they are part of a dynamic system that has direct repercussions for all living things above ground. "We used statistics to show that the locations of past giant volcanic eruptions are significantly related to the mantle plumes predicted by our models," Cucchiaro and Flament wrote in "This is encouraging, as it suggests that the simulations predict mantle plumes in places and at times generally consistent with the geologic record." Advertisement With all the devastation volcanic eruptions can cause, it is important to know what causes them to blow. 4 Some mysteries remain - like whether the BLOBS are fixed in place or if they travel across the underworld Credit: Getty
