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TECHNICAL REPORTS

Waste Management

Long-Term Phosphorus Immobilization by a Drinking Water Treatment Residual

^a Soil and Water Sci. Dep., Univ. Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0510
^b Dep. Crop and Soil Sci., Mich. State Univ., East Lansing, MI 48824
^c Earth and Environmental Sci. Dep., Univ. Texas, San Antonio, 6900 N. Loop, San Antonio, TX 78249-0663

^* Corresponding author (gao{at}ufl.edu)

Received for publication April 24, 2006. Excessive soluble P in runoff is a common cause of eutrophication in fresh waters. Evidence indicates that drinking water treatment residuals (WTRs) can reduce soluble P concentrations in P-impacted soils in the short term (days to weeks). The long-term (years) stability of WTR-immobilized P has been inferred, but validating field data are scarce. This research was undertaken at two Michigan field sites with a history of heavy manure applications to study the longevity of alum-based WTR (Al-WTR) effects on P solubility over time (7.5 yr). At both sites, amendment with Al-WTR reduced water-soluble P (WSP) concentration by 60% as compared to the control plots, and the Al-WTR-immobilized P (WTR-P) remained stable 7.5 yr after Al-WTR application. Rainfall simulation techniques were utilized to investigate P losses in runoff and leachate from surface soils of the field sites at 7.5 yr after Al-WTR application. At both sites, amendment with Al-WTR reduced dissolved P and bioavailable P (BAP) by >50% as compared to the control plots, showing that WTR-immobilized P remained nonlabile even 7.5 yr after Al-WTR amendment. Thus, WTR-immobilized P would not be expected to dissolve into runoff and leachate to contaminate surface waters or groundwater. Even if WTR-P is lost via erosion to surface waters, the bioavailability of the immobilized P should be minimal and should have negligible effects on water quality. However, if the WTR particles are destroyed by extreme conditions, P loss to water could pose a eutrophication risk.

Abbreviations: Al-WTR, alum-based WTR • BAP, bioavailable P • DOP, dissolved organic P • DPS, degree of P saturation • WTRs, drinking water treatment residuals • EC, electrical conductivity • ICP–AES, inductively coupled plasma–atomic emissions spectroscopy • PSR, P saturation ratio • PP, particulate P • SRP, soluble reactive P • STP, soil test P • TDP, total dissolved P • WSP, water-soluble P

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