Material Characterization for Designing Phosphorus Removal Structures: Consideration of Kinetics.

Use of industrial by-products as phosphorus (P) sorbing materials (PSMs) have shown great potential for removing P most importantly dissolved P from wastewaters, drainage water, and surface runoff.  Characterization of these materials is a vital first step for the proper design and incorporation of P removal structures to high P terrestrial systems.   The purpose of this study was to quantify P sorption rate onto several industrial by-products using a flow-through approach. Materials were characterized for properties that affect P sorption and include Fe, Al, and Ca concentrations and forms, pH, and electrical conductivity.  Five solution P concentrations were passed through PSMs at five different retention times.  Samples were collected periodically over a five hour period. The results of the above experiment will be used to determine potential environmental risk and effective life span for a particular P removal structure.  Phosphorus sorbing materials can play an important role in the future agro-environmental practices and policy’s as P losses from terrestrial environments continue to undergo continued scrutiny with the every growing chance of increased regulation.