Phosphorus desorption from DWTR/Zeolite filter material
Abstract
Phosphate-rich agricultural runoff contributes to Harmful Algal Blooms, which are a recurring issue in Lake Champlain. Zeolites, a class of porous minerals, and Drinking Water Treatment Residuals (DWTRs), solid byproducts of the drinking water treatment process, have each been independently used to capture phosphates from solution. In UVM’s environmental biogeochemistry lab, a unique filter using a mixture of DWTRs and zeolites is being developed to optimize the rate of phosphorus sorption. This project aims to determine the rate at which phosphorus desorbs from this filter material, which is an important factor for the filter’s success in the field.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Julia Perdrial
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Chemistry
Primary Research Category
Physical Science
Phosphorus desorption from DWTR/Zeolite filter material
Phosphate-rich agricultural runoff contributes to Harmful Algal Blooms, which are a recurring issue in Lake Champlain. Zeolites, a class of porous minerals, and Drinking Water Treatment Residuals (DWTRs), solid byproducts of the drinking water treatment process, have each been independently used to capture phosphates from solution. In UVM’s environmental biogeochemistry lab, a unique filter using a mixture of DWTRs and zeolites is being developed to optimize the rate of phosphorus sorption. This project aims to determine the rate at which phosphorus desorbs from this filter material, which is an important factor for the filter’s success in the field.
