Internal phosphorus (P) loading because of sediment P release is widely recognized as a critical source of P that must be reduced to meet water quality goals and reduce nuisance, and sometimes harmful, algae blooms in lakes and ponds. One of the more common approaches for controlling sediment P release is the application of metal salts to bind sediment P, minimizing its recycling potential. Some of the more common metal salts include aluminum, lanthanum, and calcium which can be applied in many forms and different strategies to accomplish P reduction goals. The successful use of these inactivation agents requires a thorough knowledge of sediment chemistry and P release dynamics, dosing, and application strategies, However, all of these materials share similar data requirements and calculation approaches to develop an effective strategy to minimize sediment P release. The purpose of this workshop is to develop an understanding of data requirements, dosing methods, and application strategies to develop a successful sediment P inactivation project. While the workshop will cover dosing and application strategies for the most commonly used sediment P activation agents, the use of aluminum sulfate will be the focus since it is historically the most widely used approach in the US.
This workshop provides a systematic overview of the planning, diagnostic, monitoring, dosing and application technologies for using alum (and other inactivation agents) for P control. Application strategies for deep and shallow lakes include a) water column P stripping, b) P interception, c) maintenance dosing, d) sediment P inactivation, and e) P control in ponds. We provide overviews of the history of alum use, long-term efficacy, aluminum chemistry, diagnostic and modeling tools, a decision matrix for the appropriate alum use strategy, dosing calculations, application technologies and monitoring requirements. While the use of aluminum is the focus of the workshop, we will also briefly cover other inactivation agents where possible. We will discuss numerous case studies and welcome participants to present their lakes’ concerns. The workshop is interactive and there is ample time for discussion.
Presenters Shannon Brattebo is an environmental engineer. Shannon’s work has focused on lake and reservoir water quality, restoration, and management both in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation. Shannon has designed and/or evaluated alum treatment phosphorus inactivation projects on well over 20 lakes and ponds. Shannon has been a member of NALMS since 2001, served as NALMS Region 10 Director and is currently the NALMS Treasurer. Joe Bischoff is a limnologist with Barr Engineering, Inc. whose work focuses on phosphorus cycling in deep and shallow lakes, reservoirs and ponds. Joe has completed over 30 successful sediment phosphorus inactivation projects and analyzed sediments from hundreds of lakes and has published multiple peer reviewed papers on the use of alum for sediment phosphorus inactivation. Joe is currently President of the newly formed Minnesota Lake Management Association. John Holz is a limnologist who leads SOLitude Lake Management’s nutrient remediation efforts, specializing in both small and large-scale alum applications. John is a longtime NALMS member and has served on the NALMS board of directors.
Shannon Brattebo is an environmental engineer. Shannon’s work has focused on lake and reservoir water quality, restoration, and management both in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation. Shannon has designed and/or evaluated alum treatment phosphorus inactivation projects on well over 20 lakes and ponds. Shannon has been a member of NALMS since 2001, served as NALMS Region 10 Director and is currently the NALMS Treasurer.
Joe Bischoff is a limnologist with Barr Engineering, Inc. whose work focuses on phosphorus cycling in deep and shallow lakes, reservoirs and ponds. Joe has completed over 30 successful sediment phosphorus inactivation projects and analyzed sediments from hundreds of lakes and has published multiple peer reviewed papers on the use of alum for sediment phosphorus inactivation. Joe is currently President of the newly formed Minnesota Lake Management Association.
John Holz is a limnologist who leads SOLitude Lake Management’s nutrient remediation efforts, specializing in both small and large-scale alum applications. John is a longtime NALMS member and has served on the NALMS board of directors.
