Environment Friendly Biodegradable Sprayable Shrimp Waste Fertilizer and Low-Cost Crab Waste Carbon Fixer

Seafood waste is often landfilled and/or discarded into water, raising microbiological pollution and environment policy concerns. Repurposing this low-cost biomass collected at point-source processing centers can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support industrial progress in developing economies. Safe alternative methods to utilize seafood waste were investigated. Hydrothermal carbonization-enriched shrimp shell waste was converted into higher-value products, such as sprayable fertilizer and dry biochar fertilizer pellets. Environment friendly sprayable fertilizer from shrimp and crab shell waste as an inexpensive carbon fixer is a potential solution. An average spray coverage area of 0.12 m2 from only 300 mL of 1:10 shrimp shell waste to water mixture is reported. Characterization using N:P:K ratios from elemental analysis showed crustacean shell waste to comprise long-term organic carbon fixers in the soil with minor mineral enrichment, demonstrating potential for long-term soil care. Additionally, hydrothermally carbonized mineral rich shrimp shell and untreated crab shell waste were pelletized to test their friability and feasibility in transportation. Such a bio-investigation to promote economic goals for sustainability can improve biomass waste handling locally.