The development of alum rates to enhance the remediation of phosphorus in fluvial systems following manure spills

Abstract

Following the remediation of animal manure spills that reach surface waters, contaminated streambed sediments are often left in place and become a source for internal phosphorus (P) loading within the stream in subsequent flow. The objective of this study was to develop treatment rates and combinations of alum and CaCO₃ to mitigate P from contaminated sediments of different particle size distributions following a manure spill. Sediment specific alum and CaCO₃ treatment rates were developed based upon the resultant alum treatment ranges established for each sediment type. Clay loam sediments required 54% more alum to mitigate P desorption relative to sediments that contain at least 60% sand. Amending sediments with the highest rates of alum/alum + CaCO₃, resulted in a 98–100% reduction in P desorption and a similar water column pH for all sediments types. Observations from this study demonstrated the effectiveness of alum/alum + CaCO₃ to increase P retention in sediments following a manure spill.