{"id":19138,"date":"2025-05-06T19:35:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T16:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeolife.gr\/how-zeolite-enhances-the-benefits-of-sewage-sludge-in-agriculture-a-greek-study-of-global-interest\/"},"modified":"2026-10-17T02:36:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T23:36:15","slug":"how-zeolite-enhances-the-benefits-of-sewage-sludge-in-agriculture-a-greek-study-of-global-interest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeolife.gr\/en\/how-zeolite-enhances-the-benefits-of-sewage-sludge-in-agriculture-a-greek-study-of-global-interest\/","title":{"rendered":"How zeolite enhances the benefits of sewage sludge in agriculture: A Greek study of global interest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In modern agriculture, the need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions for crop fertilisation is more pressing than ever. With the skyrocketing cost of inorganic fertilisers and their environmental impact, scientists are increasingly turning to alternative solutions. A recent Greek study sheds light on the combination of sewage sludge with natural zeolite, revealing impressive results for barley production and soil health<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is sludge and why should we use it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sewage sludge (also known as biosolids) is an organic residue resulting from the treatment of urban wastewater. It contains valuable nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as organic matter that can improve soil fertility. However, its uncontrolled use can cause problems, such as the accumulation of heavy metals and increased nitrate levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

zeolite: an \u2018ally\u2019 for the soil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Natural zeolite is a porous material with a high cation exchange capacity. In the study, it was applied at a rate of 1.14 tonnes per hectare alongside varying levels of sewage sludge. The result? It increased the barley yield and reduced the amount of sludge required by 40% to match the yield achieved with inorganic fertiliser.<\/p>\n\n\n