Identification and Quantification of Nitrogen Flow in the Sanitation System of the Identity Territory of Southernmost Bahia

Aug 26, 2026

Nitrogen-rich sewage in TI07 threatens hydrosphere quality when discharged untreated, while wastewater nutrient recovery can support ecological sanitation and sustainable water use. Using Material Flow Analysis, the study performs a Nitrogen Flow Analysis for the 2022 base year, identifying inflows and outflows across sanitation processes. Results indicate 46.31% of sewage nitrogen is released directly to the hydrosphere, with waste management accumulating 23.49% of total system nitrogen, suggesting opportunities for vermifilters, green septic treatment, composting, and fertilizer use in local family farming.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Materials and Methods

Study Area

Flows and Processes

Data Collection

Nitrogen Content of Flows

Identification and Quantification of Nitrogen Flow in the Sanitation System of the Identity Territory of Southernmost Bahia Nicole Príncipe C. da Silva1*, Francisco Ramon Nascimento1, Karla Esquerre1 1Federal University of Bahia, UFBA; Salvador, Bahia, Brazil Sewage is a rich source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and its efficient management can reduce pollution, promote sustainable water use, and enable its use as fertilizer. Material Flow Analysis (MFA) has been effective in managing these nutrients within the sanitation system. This study conducted a Nitrogen Flow Analysis (NFA) in the Identity Territory of the Southernmost Region of Bahia (TI07) for 2022, revealing that 46.31% of the sewage is discharged directly into the hydrosphere, possibly contaminating water bodies. Therefore, technologies such as vermifilters and green septic systems are recommended for treating sewage and recycling nitrogen for use as fertilizer or in food production. The NFA also showed that waste management accumulated 23.49% of the system's total nitrogen, highlighting the potential for composting, fertilizer supply, and strengthening local family farming. Keywords: MFA. Nutrients. Environmental Management. The composition of sewage is primarily feces, urine, and gray water, with urine being the primary source of nutrients (80% of nitrogen, 55% of phosphorus, and 60% of potassium) [1,2] . This means that the sanitation system is a rich source of nutrients, whose efficient management can bring benefits across a broad spectrum of applications. The recovery of nutrients from feces and urine aligns with the concept of ecological sanitation, contributing to the rational use of water, reducing pollution of water resources, and also having potential use as fertilizer. To manage the nutrients present in the sanitation system, such as nitrogen, Material Flow Analysis (MFA) provides a comprehensive and consistent set of information on all flows and stocks within the system. Therefore, it has proven to be a highly relevant tool for assisting in decision-making, especially in environmental management and the formulation of public policies aimed at the environment [3] . Considering the increasing amount of nitrogen fertilizer imports in recent years to meet the Received on 18 March 2025; revised 21 May 2025. Address for correspondence: Nicole Príncipe C. da Silva. Prof. Aristídes Novis, 2-Federação, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Zipcode: [40210-630. E-mail: nicoleprincipe@gmail.com](40210-630. E-mail: nicoleprincipe@gmail.com) . J Bioeng. Tech. Health 2025;8(3):299-304 © 2025 by SENAICIMATEC University. All rights reserved. agricultural systems in Bahia, this study aimed to conduct a Nitrogen Flow Analysis (NFA) in the sanitation system of the Identity Territory of the Southernmost Region of Bahia (TI07) for the base year of 2022. The analysis focused on identifying and quantifying primary nitrogen inflows and outflows, evaluating key opportunities for nutrient recovery, and assessing the potential environmental impacts associated with their losses, according to the types of sanitation systems used by local households. Materials and Methods Study Area The scope of the problem encompasses 13 municipalities in TI07 – Southernmost Region of Bahia, as indicated in the State Solid Waste Plan of Bahia (PERS/BA), which includes the municipalities of Alcobaça, Caravelas, Ibirapuã, Itamaraju, Itanhém, Jucuruçu, Lajedão, Medeiros Neto, Mucuri, Nova Viçosa, Prado, Teixeira de Freitas, and Vereda. The TI07 region covers an approximate area of 18,538 km² and is notable for its production of coffee, sugarcane, papaya, and cow's milk. Caravelas, Itanhém, Jucuruçu, Lajedão, Prado, and Vereda are the municipalities where agriculture and livestock are the sectors that contribute the most to the local GDP. [www.jbth.com.br](www.jbth.com.br) Flows and Processes The NFA of TI07 corresponds to the region's sanitation system, characterized by i

FAQs

What is the main objective of the nitrogen flow analysis in TI07?

To identify and quantify primary nitrogen inflows and outflows in TI07’s sanitation system, evaluate opportunities for nitrogen recovery, and assess potential environmental impacts from nutrient losses by household sanitation types.

What were the key findings about nitrogen discharge in TI07 in 2022?

The analysis shows that 46.31% of sewage is discharged directly into the hydrosphere, indicating likely contamination of water bodies.

Which data sources were used to estimate nitrogen inputs and sanitation-related flows?

Food-related nitrogen used the 2017 Household Budget Survey (POF) plus outside-home consumption data; sewage treatment information came from the 2020 Sewage Atlas (ANA); sanitation data used 2022 Census via IBGE SIDRA; solid waste data used PERS/BA with additional municipal primary collection and diagnostics from PAC 2.

Aug 26, 2026

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