(CBS DETROIT) - Phosphorus is a mineral that plants need to grow and complete its life cycle. But in the United States, scientists say phosphorus in our soil is going to deplete within this century.

As the world tries to mitigate agriculture's effect on the environment, much of the story can be found in the soils, which stores and cycles nutrient elements of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

Chemical and heat treatment of sewage sludge can recover phosphorus in a process that could help address the problem of diminishing supplies of phosphorus ores. Chemical and heat treatment of sewage ...