Nutrient losses of agricultural land due to brick manufacturing in the central region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Nutrient losses due to brick production were evaluated at 50 Upazilas in
nine districts of the central region of Bangladesh. The average land area occupied
by a brick kiln was 0.59 ha. Water‐ extractable N, P, K and S, and total N, P, K
and S decreased by 67, 60, 62, 53, 67, 67, 87 and 33% in burnt bricks compared to
unburnt one, respectively. Permanent loss of huge quantity of plant nutrients is
occurring due to brick manufacturing every year in Bangladesh.