scholarly journals Performance of Field-Scale Phosphorus Removal Structures Utilizing Steel Slag for Treatment of Subsurface Drainage

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chad Penn ◽  
Stan Livingston ◽  
Vinayak Shedekar ◽  
Kevin King ◽  
Mark Williams
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
Tile Drainage ◽  
Dissolved Phosphorus ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Induced Flow ◽  
P Removal

Reducing dissolved phosphorus (P) losses from legacy P soils to surface waters is necessary for preventing algal blooms. Phosphorus removal structures containing steel slag have shown success in treating surface runoff for dissolved P, but little is known about treating subsurface (tile) drainage. A ditch-style and subsurface P removal structure were constructed using steel slag in a bottom-up flow design for treating tile drainage. Nearly 97% of P was delivered during precipitation-induced flow events (as opposed to baseflow) with inflow P concentrations increasing with flow rate. Structures handled flow rates approximately 12 L s−1, and the subsurface and ditch structures removed 19.2 (55%) and 0.9 kg (37%) of the cumulative dissolved P load, respectively. Both structures underperformed relative to laboratory flow-through experiments and exhibited signs of flow inhibition with time. Dissolved P removal decreased dramatically when treated water pH decreased <8.5. Although slag has proven successful for treating surface runoff, we hypothesize that underperformance in this case was due to tile drainage bicarbonate consumption of slag calcium through the precipitation of calcium carbonate, thereby filling pore space, decreasing flow and pH, and preventing calcium phosphate precipitation. We do not recommend non-treated steel slag for removing dissolved P from tile drainage unless slag is replaced every 4–6 months.

scholarly journals Utilization of Steel Slag in Blind Inlets for Dissolved Phosphorus Removal

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1593
Author(s):  
Javier M. Gonzalez ◽  
Chad J. Penn ◽  
Stan J. Livingston
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Particulate Phosphorus ◽  
Total N ◽  
Dissolved Phosphorus ◽  
Surface Drainage ◽  
P Removal ◽  
Blind Inlet

Blind inlets are implemented to promote obstruction-free surface drainage of field depressions as an alternative to tile risers for the removal of sediment and particulate phosphorus (P) through an aggregate bed. However, conventional limestone used in blind inlets does not remove dissolved P, which is a stronger eutrophication agent than particulate P. Steel slag has been suggested as an alternative to limestone in blind inlets for removing dissolved P. The objectives of this study were to construct a blind inlet with steel slag and evaluate its ability to remove dissolved P, nitrogen (N), and herbicides. A blind inlet was constructed with steel slag in late 2015; data from only 2018 are reported due to inflow sampling issues. The blind inlet removed at least 45% of the dissolved P load and was still effective after three years. The dissolved P removal efficiency was greater with higher inflow P concentrations. More than 70% of glyphosate and its metabolite, and dicamba were removed. Total N was removed in the form of organic N and ammonium, although N cycling processes within the blind inlet appeared to produce nitrate. Higher dissolved atrazine and organic carbon loads were measured in outflow than inflow, likely due to the deposition of sediment-bound particulate forms not measured in inflow, which then solubilized with time. At a cost similar to local aggregate, steel slag in blind inlets represents a simple update for improving dissolved P removal.

scholarly journals Synergistic Recapturing of External and Internal Phosphorus for In Situ Eutrophication Mitigation

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minmin Pan ◽  
Tao Lyu ◽  
Meiyi Zhang ◽  
Honggang Zhang ◽  
Lei Bi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Harmful Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
P Adsorption ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
P Concentration ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
P Removal

In eutrophication management, many phosphorus (P) adsorbents have been developed to capture P at the laboratory scale. Existing P removal practice in freshwaters is limited due to the lack of assessment of the possibility and feasibility of controlling P level towards a very low level (such as 10 μg/L) in order to prevent the harmful algal blooms. In this study, a combined external and internal P control approach was evaluated in a simulated pilot-scale river–lake system. In total, 0.8 m3 of simulated river water was continuously supplied to be initially treated by a P adsorption column filled with a granulated lanthanum/aluminium hydroxide composite (LAH) P adsorbent. At the outlet of the column (i.e., inlet of the receiving tanks), the P concentration decreased from 230 to 20 µg/L at a flow rate of 57 L/day with a hydraulic loading rate of 45 m/day. In the receiving tanks (simulated lake), 90 g of the same adsorbent material was added into 1 m3 water for further in situ treatment, which reduced and maintained the P concentration at 10 µg/L for 5 days. The synergy of external and internal P recapture was demonstrated to be an effective strategy for maintaining the P concentration below 10 µg/L under low levels of P water input. The P removal was not significantly affected by temperature (5–30 °C), and the treatment did not substantially alter the water pH. Along with the superior P adsorption capacity, less usage of LAH could lead to reduced cost for potation eutrophication control compared with other widely used P adsorbents.

scholarly journals Using Steel Slag for Dissolved Phosphorus Removal: Insights from a Designed Flow-Through Laboratory Experimental Structure

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linhua Wang ◽  
Chad Penn ◽  
Chi-hua Huang ◽  
Stan Livingston ◽  
Junhua Yan
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Phosphate ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
Dissolved Phosphorus ◽  
Removal Capacity ◽  
Ph Buffer ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
Calcium Phosphate Precipitation ◽  
P Removal

Steel slag, a byproduct of the steel making process, has been adopted as a material to reduce non-point phosphorus (P) losses from agricultural land. Although substantial studies have been conducted on characterizing P removed by steel slag, few data are available on the removal of P under different conditions of P input, slag mass, and retention time (RT). The objective of this study was to investigate P removal efficiency as impacted by slag mass and RT at different physical locations through a horizontal steel slag column. Downstream slag segments were more efficient at removing P than upstream segments because they were exposed to more favorable conditions for calcium phosphate precipitation, specifically higher Ca2+ concentrations and pH. These results showed that P is removed in a moving front as Ca2+ and slag pH buffer capacity are consumed. In agreement with the calcium phosphate precipitation mechanism shown in previous studies, an increase in RT increased P removal, resulting in an estimated removal capacity of 61 mg kg−1 at a RT of 30 min. Results emphasized the importance of designing field scale structures with sufficient RT to accommodate the formation of calcium phosphate.

scholarly journals The Past, Present, and Future of Phosphorus Removal Structures

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 797
Author(s):  
Chad J. Penn
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Dissolved Phosphorus ◽  
The Past ◽  
P Removal

The purpose of this special issue is to explore current challenges and develop a better understanding of the processes that control dissolved phosphorus (P) removal among P removal structures [...]

Characterizing phosphorus removal from polluted urban river water by steel slags in a vertical flow constructed wetland

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 2644-2653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Ge ◽  
Xiaochang C. Wang ◽  
Mawuli Dzakpasu ◽  
Yucong Zheng ◽  
Yaqian Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Water ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
Urban River ◽  
Vertical Flow ◽  
P Sorption ◽  
High Sorption ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Organic Matter Fractions ◽  
P Removal

Phosphorus (P) removal in constructed wetlands (CWs) is often low unless special substrates with high sorption capacities are used. However, the use of special substrates in vertical flow (VF) CWs has not been proved to enhance P sorption. Thus, two VF wetlands were designed to evaluate the potential for enhanced P removal from polluted urban river water, one with slag as substrate and the other as a control with gravel as substrate. Findings from batch experiments showed P sorption capacities of 3.15 gP/kg and 0.81 gP/kg, respectively, for steel slag and gravel. Different organic matter fractions played different roles in P sorption, the effects of which were significant only at high concentrations. Over a 220 days' operation, the VF-slag removed 76.0% of the influent total phosphorus (TP) at 0.159 g/m2·d and PO4-P of 70.9% at 0.063 g/m2·d, whereas the VF-gravel removed 65.0% at 0.136 g/m2·d and 48.6% at 0.040 g/m2·d, respectively. Therefore, the merit of using a steel slag substrate in VF wetlands can be significant for the removal of PO4-P.

scholarly journals Performance of a Ditch-Style Phosphorus Removal Structure for Treating Agricultural Drainage Water with Aluminum-Treated Steel Slag

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinayak S. Shedekar ◽  
Chad J. Penn ◽  
Lindsay Pease ◽  
Kevin W. King ◽  
Margaret M. Kalcic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
Subsurface Drainage ◽  
Drainage Water ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Treated Steel ◽  
P Removal

Several structural, treatment, and management approaches exist to minimize phosphorus (P) transport from agricultural landscapes (e.g., cover cropping and conservation tillage). However, many of these practices are designed to minimize particulate P transport and are not as effective in controlling dissolved P (DP) losses. Phosphorus removal structures employ a P sorption material (PSM) to trap DP from flowing water. These structures have been successful in treating surface runoff by utilizing aluminum (Al)-treated steel slag, but subsurface tile drainage has never been tested with this material. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance and economics of a ditch-style P removal structure using Al-treated steel slag for treating agricultural subsurface drainage discharge. The structure treated subsurface drainage water from a 4.5 ha agricultural field with elevated soil test P levels. Overall, the structure removed approximately 27% and 50% of all DP and total P (TP) entering the structure, respectively (i.e., 2.4 and 9.4 kg DP and TP removal). After an initial period of strong DP removal, the discrete DP removal became highly variable. Flow-through analysis of slag samples showed that the slag used to construct the structure was coarser and less sorptive compared to the slag samples collected prior to construction that were used to design and size the structure. Results of this study highlight the importance of correctly designing the P removal structures using representative PSMs.

Dissolved Phosphorus Losses in Tile Drainage under Subirrigation

2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Stämpfli ◽  
Chandra A. Madramootoo
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Tile Drainage ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Shallow Water Table ◽  
Dissolved Phosphorus ◽  
Water Table Control

Abstract Recent studies have shown subirrigation (SI) to be effective in reducing nitrate losses from agricultural tile drainage systems. A field study was conducted from 2001 to 2002 in southwestern Québec to evaluate the effect of SI on total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) losses in tile drainage. In an agricultural field with drains installed at a 1-m depth, a SI system with a design water table depth (WTD) of 0.6 m below the soil surface was compared with conventional free drainage (FD). Subirrigation increased drainage outflow volumes in the autumn, when drains were opened and water table control was interrupted for the winter in the SI plots. Outflows were otherwise similar for both treatments. Throughout the study, the TDP concentrations in tile drainage were significantly higher with SI than with FD for seven out of 17 of the sampling dates for which data could be analyzed statistically, and they were never found to be lower for plots under SI than for plots under FD. Of the seven dates for which the increase was significant, six fell in the period during which water table control was not implemented (27 September 2001 to 24 June 2002). Hence, it appears that SI tended to increase TDP concentrations compared with FD, and that it also had a residual effect between growing seasons. Almost one-third of all samples from the plots under SI exceeded Québec's surface water quality standard (0.03 mg TDP L-1), whereas concentrations in plots under FD were all below the standard. Possible causes of the increase in TDP concentrations in tile drainage with SI are high TDP concentrations found in the well water used for SI and a higher P solubility caused by the shallow water table.

Full Scale Investigations on Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal – P-Release in the Anaerobic Reactor

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 153-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wedi ◽  
P. A. Wilderer
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Process Conditions ◽  
Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Anaerobic Reactor ◽  
P Release ◽  
Acinetobacter Sp ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

Most of the fundamental processes responsible for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) were obtained through laboratory tests under defined conditions with pure or enriched cultures. Acinetobacter sp. was identified as the most important group of bacteria responsible for bio-P removal. Full scale data showed, however, that laboratory results do not match full scale results well enough. There is a lack of data on the effects of sub-optimal process conditions such as inadequate availability of volatile fatty acids (VFA), high nitrate recycle, storm water inflow or low temperatures. In this paper the results of full scale experiments on P-release are presented and compared with theoretical values. Measurements at a full scale Phoredox-system showed a surprisingly low P-release in the anaerobic reactor. Only 4 to 10% of the phosphorus in the activated sludge was released in the bulk liquid. With laboratory batch-tests, a maximum of 20% of the P in the sludge could be released. It is assumed that under the prevailing process conditions either the fraction of Acinetobacter sp. was very small, or bacteria other than Acinetobacter sp. were responsible for the P-removal, or most of the phosphorus was bound chemically but mediated by biological processes.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal process implemented in membrane bioreactors to improve phosphorous recovery and recycling

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lesjean ◽  
R. Gnirss ◽  
C. Adam ◽  
M. Kraume ◽  
F. Luck
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
P Limitation ◽  
Batch Tests ◽  
P Content ◽  
On Line ◽  
Biological Phosphorus ◽  
P Removal

The enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process was adapted to membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. One bench-scale plant (BSP, 200-250 L) and two pilot plants (PPs, 1,000-3,000 L each) were operated under several configurations, including pre-denitrification and post-denitrification without addition of carbon source, and two solid retention times (SRT) of 15 and 26 d. The trials showed that efficient Bio-P removal can be achieved with MBR systems, in both pre- and post-denitrification configurations. EBPR dynamics could be clearly demonstrated through batch-tests, on-line measurements, profile analyses, P-spiking trials, and mass balances. High P-removal performances were achieved even with high SRT of 26 d, as around 9 mgP/L could be reliably removed. After stabilisation, the sludge exhibited phosphorus contents of around 2.4%TS. When spiked with phosphorus (no P-limitation), P-content could increase up to 6%TS. The sludge is therefore well suited to agricultural reuse with important fertilising values. Theoretical calculations showed that increased sludge age should result in a greater P-content. This could not be clearly demonstrated by the trials. This effect should be all the more significant as the influent is low in suspended solids.

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