Identification and quantification of main anthropogenic stocks and flows of potassium in Brazil.

Potassium (K), along with nitrogen and phosphorus, is an essential resource to ensure agricultural productivity and, therefore, food security around the world. However, diminishing physical reserves of potash salts and high-price volatility of potassium chloride, the main source of K to agricultural soils, has raised concerns about a K scarcity scenario, mainly in countries that depend on fertilizer imports to sustain its production. In this context, Brazil is one of the main agricultural producers in the world, having a major role in the global K flows, since the country sustains its production by a high consumption of imported K fertilizers.