PM03 Treatment or Removal of Emerging Contaminants
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Monday
(PM020A) Proposed method of phosphorus control in animal production facilities based on the use of Phoslock.
Mackay, C1, Fisher, J2, Kleinholz, C3, 1 Exponent, Bellevue, WA, USA2 Exponent, Tulsa, OK, USA3 Langston University, Langston, OK, USA
ABSTRACT- One of the greatest problems facing sustainable agriculture is the control of phosphorus releases to surface water. Best management practices have made great strides in controlling phosphorus releases from horticulture and other plant-based operations through the careful administration of fertilizers. However, animal-based operations still face serious phosphorus issues based on their economy of scale. Here we present a proposed method of phosphorus control based on Phoslock, a modified a bentonite product developed in Australia. Phoslock can be applied to manure lagoons or other water-holding facilities and will bind reactive phosphorus in a tight ionic bond, locking it in the sediment and rendering it biologically unavailable. Initial testing of the product has indicated that it is extremely effective as phosphorus control, achieving concentrations of less than 10 ug/L. Current testing using aquaculture operations should yield data on the operational limits of this method.
Key words: Phosphorus, Agriculture, CAFO, Sustainability