TAKING STEPS TOWARDS PHOSPHORUS SUSTAINABILITY: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NSF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR PHOSPHORUS SUSTAINABILITY (STEPS) CENTER

Most aquatic scientists engage the phosphorus (P) sustainability challenge from downstream, i.e., the widespread eutrophying effects of phosphorus pollution on rivers, lakes, and oceans. Mitigating these impacts has proven to be a vexing problem as widespread use of P is essential for supporting the food system in the form of fertilizers and feed additives. Furthermore, supplies of phosphate rock to produce fertilizer are found in only a few countries and concerns have been raised about long-term access to affordable P for fertilizer production. Addressing the P sustainability challenge requires system-level thinking at the intersection of multiple disciplines ranging from limnology to soil science and from engineering to sociology. To help meet this challenge, in 2021 the US National Science Foundation (NSF) funded a large ($25M) Science & Technology Center (STC), the Science and Technology for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center. This talk will describe the structure and operating philosophy of this convergence research center, highlight some of its most recent work, and discuss its future trajectory in the context of the broader global phosphorus sustainability movement.

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: James Elser, James Elser (jim.elser@flbs.umt.edu)

Authors:

James Elser, Arizona State University  (jim.elser@flbs.umt.edu)

Jacob Jones, North Carolina State University  (JacobJones@ncsu.edu)