ARS | Publication request: UTILIZATION OF ALUM-BASED WATER TREATMENT RESIDUALS TO REDUCE SOIL EXTRACTABLE P CONCENTRATIONS

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 23, 2004
Publication Date: October 31, 2004
Citation: Novak, J.M., Watts, D.W. 2004. Utilization of alum-based water treatment residuals to reduce soil extractable P concentrations [abstract]. Agronomy Abstracts. 2004 CDROM.

Technical Abstract: During purification of raw water, drinking water treatment facilities utilize alum to precipitate impurities like silts and clays. The precipitated silts and clays are collectively referred to as water treatment residuals (WTRs). Previous research has shown that WTRs mixed into soils with high phosphorus (P) concentrations can reduce both Milli-Q water (MQP) and Mehlich 3 extractable P (M3P). Incorporating WTRs into high P soils represents a chemical-based best management practice to minimize off-site P movement and contamination of surface water aquatic ecosystems. The objective was to determine the ability of a WTR to reduce both MQP and M3P extracted from three soils with high P concentrations. After 84 days of laboratory incubation, incorporation of between 1 to 6% WTR resulted in a significant reduction in soil MQP and M3P concentrations (between 26 to 91%). These results suggest that the use of WTR represents an additional practice to reduce non-point source P contamination.