Introduction

The purpose of this blog is to provide a case-study example of designing and constructing a phosphorus (P) removal structure, step by step.  A P removal structure is intended to filter dissolved P (DP) from runoff using industrial by-products, before the runoff reaches a surface water body.  Through this best management practice (BMP), the trapped P is retained in the structure, thus allowing P to be removed from the watershed at clean-out.  The justification for construction of a P removal structure is 3-fold:

General information about P removal structures can be found at the following websites: 

Slide show and video: 

http://www.extension.org/pages/67669/designing-structures-to-remove-phosphorus-from-drainage-waters

Extension publication: http://usgatero.msu.edu/v11/n02.pdf

SUNUP Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAIXmFEQY1k

OK Gardening Video: http://www.oklahomagardening.okstate.edu/category/es/2013/112313-scrubbing

More detailed information can be found in the following publications:

Penn, C.J., J.M. McGrath, E. Rounds, G. Fox, and D. Heeren.  2012.  Trapping phosphorus in runoff with a phosphorus removal structure.  J. Environ. Qual. 41:672-679. 

Penn, C.J., R.B. Bryant, M.A. Callahan, and J.M. McGrath.  2011. Use of industrial byproducts to sorb and retain phosphorus.  Commun. Soil. Sci. Plant Anal.  42:633-644.

Penn, C.J., R.B. Bryant, P.A. Kleinman, and A. Allen.  2007.  Removing dissolved phosphorus from drainage ditch water with phosphorus sorbing materials.  J. Soil Water Cons.  62:269-276.

Penn, C.J., J.M. McGrath, and R.B. Bryant.  2010.  Ditch drainage management for water quality improvement. In “Agricultural drainage ditches: mitigation wetlands for the 21rst century”.  Ed. M.T. Moore.  151-173. 

Similar work by other researchers:

Active wetlands - the use of chemical amendments to intercept phosphate runoffs in agricultural catchments. http://wwf.fi/mediabank/4368.pdf

Klimeski, A., Chardon, W.J., Turtola, E. and Uusitalo, R. 2012. Potential and limitations of phosphate 

retention media in water protection: A process-based review of laboratory and field-scale tests. 

Agricultural and Food Science 21: 206–223.

Vohla, C.; Koiv, M.; Bavor, H. J.; Chazarenc, F.; Mander, Ü. Filter materials for phosphorus removal from wastewater in treatment wetlands-A review Ecol. Eng. 2010, 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2009.08.003

SupremeTech. http://www.supremetech.dk/SUPREMETECH.htm

Mining waste byproduct capable of helping clean water: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3482&from=rss

Wastewater treatment with by-products: http://publications.polymtl.ca/860/

Removal of nutrients from tile drainage in The Netherlands: Dr. Stefan Jansen