Sustainable alternatives to using mined nutrients in agriculture must be found in order to limit environmental impacts such as eutrophication, habitat destruction and greenhouse gas emis-sions. Biogas slurry and urine recycled to hydroponic food production (a type of soilless agri-culture) have the potential of providing inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, the main essential nutrients required for plant growth. A Life Cycle Inventory Assessment (LCI) methodology has been used to compare the systems of producing artificial fertilizer, biogas slurry and urine based nutrient solutions for the growth of Brassica rapa L. (Chinese cabbage) in the context of a large scale hydroponic vertical farm. Costs and energy requirements have been the basis of the comparison and results show that both biogas slurry and urine are considerably cheaper than the commercial alternative and based on the nutrient content they have the potential of being successful nutrient solutions after dilution and nutrient supplementation. Filtration might also be required in order to remove suspended particles and pathogens.

No description available.