Potential Use of Biomass Waste as a Sustainable Energy Source in the Future: A Case Study

Abstract

Mangroves have been degraded and converted for decades due to a multitude of factors, ranging from human activity to natural perturbations such as disasters and global warming. Experiments were conducted to determine the impact of fly ash (FA) on the growth of Rhizophora apiculata Blume's (R. apiculate). A completely randomised design (CRD) was employed with D as the control, and nine treatment soil amendments were created from abandoned shrimp pond sediment with rubberwood fly ash (RWFA). These amendments were made by mixing three separate FA samples (A, B, and C) in the ratios of 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75, respectively (A1-A3, B1-B3, and C1-C3), using a total of 200 R. apiculata specimens. The experiment revealed that the addition of FA and its combination had a significant effect on promoting the growth of R. apiculate and improved nutrient availability and retention in the soil. The results of the experiment demonstrate that the effect of Fly Ash (FA) and its combination significantly influence the growth of R. apiculate, impacting the total heights and number of leaves. The most beneficial effect the results of the experiment demonstrate that the effect of fly ash (FA) and its combination significantly influence the growth of R. apiculate, affecting the total height and number of leaves. The most beneficial effects were observed when the optimal proportion of each type of soil amendment was used. The study holds substantial benefits: it introduces a method for improving the soil of shrimp farms through the utilisation of rubberwood fly ash (RWFA) and serves essential nutrients to mangroves. Moreover, implementing this plantation technique can aid in protecting against coastal erosion.