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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory » Research » Research Project #448541

Research Project: Optimizing Phosphorus Removal Structures: Improvements for Existing Structures and Identifying Next-Generation Designs

Location: National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory

Project Number: 5020-12130-004-028-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 6, 2025
End Date: Sep 15, 2028

Objective:
With regard to phosphorus removal structures (PRS): Identify design deficiencies by combining five years of monitoring data with in-field and laboratory experiments to identify and implement novel components that improve existing PRS designs. Develop and test novel PRS designs using bench-scale models that accurately represent field-scale PRS processes to rapidly test possible design improvements such as alternative media or PRS with high and low flow treatment tanks.

Approach:
ARS will utilize a current P removal structure located in our research watershed, and test new P filter media in it. The P removal structure is connected to a tile drainage main that drains 15-20 acres. All flow is monitored for flow rate, and samples pre and post filter are collected with automated samplers. Samples are collected after every flow event and tested in the lab for dissolved P. Results are used to calculate the P removal ability of the filter.