Full Description

Phosphorus (P) loading in water bodies can lead to algal blooms which degrade water quality by clogging water treatment filters, producing toxins, and decreasing bioavailable oxygen, which can lead to fish kills. Previous research has shown that the aluminum (AL) in water-treatment residuals (WTR) will bind P in the soil. This experiment used WTR from a water treatment plant and HiClay Alumina (HCA), also high in Al, from a commercial alum plant to determine if runoff P could be decreased by land-applying these materials on soils high in P (150 to 300 mg P kg-1 soil). Nitrogen and organic carbon levels were also monitored. In this field study, WTR and HCA were applied at rates of O, 2.25, 9, and 18 Mg ha-1 to plots high in P. WTR was also applied 1.13 Mg ha-1. Rain simulations produced runoff 1 d, 1 month, and 4 months following the application of these materials. Runoff samples were analyzed for N and P concentrations. Dissolve P (DP) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the runoff samples decreased as the application rate of the materials increased. Large reductions in SRP levels (as compared to the control) were observed after the first day, but the SRP concentrations from the treated plots changed little over time. While these materials demonstrated their ability to reduce runoff P levels, they did not contribute significantly to runoff total N, NO3-N, or NH4-N levels. Based on the parameters measured, there were no negative effects on runoff water quality due to the application of WTR and HCA.

Product Details

Published: 01/01/1998 ISBN(s): 0898679796 Number of Pages: 38File Size: 1 file , 200 KB