Summary
This narrative review examines how the expanding use of anaerobic digestates from biogas production influences soil properties. The authors highlight that digestate composition varies substantially depending on feedstock materials and digestion technology, leading to variable impacts on soil physical, chemical and biological parameters. Whilst digestates generally offer net benefits through improved soil structure, nutrient status and microbial activity, the review cautions that high salt content and potentially toxic components may constrain their practical application in some contexts.
UK applicability
The findings are applicable to UK practice given the established biogas industry and growing volumes of digestate from both centralised and on-farm anaerobic digesters. The review's emphasis on soil-type-dependent responses and risks from contaminants aligns with UK regulatory frameworks for digestate quality and use, though UK-specific digestate properties and soils warrant country-level validation.
Key measures
Bulk density, aggregate stability, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic matter (SOM), microbial activity, macro- and micronutrient content, toxic components, salt content
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised evidence on how anaerobic digestates derived from diverse feedstocks and production technologies affect key soil parameters including bulk density, aggregate stability, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content and microbial activity. It identified benefits, limitations and risks associated with digestate application across different soil types.
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