May 8, 2002 Abstract- "Phosphorus
Management In Biosolids Land Application Programs"
May 8, 2002 View the Powerpoint Presentation
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May 8, 2002 Roundtable Minutes
Conclusions & Resolutions
- It is impractical (and perhaps impossible) to apply sludge with existing
equipment at rates low enough to meet annual crop needs for phosphorus.
- Looming phosphorus policy and regulations will impact the biosolids
industry.
- The use of biosolids as an agricultural input is much more efficient
than the use of manure.
- Less loss
- Less potential for field damage, etc.
Issues to Resolve
- Integration of phosphorus regulations and policy with biosolids regulation
and policy.
- Discrepancies between agricultural- and municipal-phosphorus regulations.
- Criteria to use in the setting of biosolid policy and regulations.
- Environmental and economic impacts of biological versus chemical removal
of phosphorus from effluent.
Research & Information Needs
- Techniques for reducing the phosphorus content in biosolids.
- Resulting in an increase of effluent phosphorus content.
- Techniques for increasing the phosphorus content in biosolids.
- Resulting in a decrease of effluent phosphorus content.
- Assessment of the effectiveness of current biosolid regulations regarding
phosphorus.
- Improvement of biosolids application equipment.
- Specifically, improve ability to vary rates.
- Investigate the mobility of biosolid-phosphorus versus other sources
of phosphorus.
- Investigate the economics and sustainability of treating biosolids
with alum to tie-up phosphorus.
- Explore the real or perceived health effects associated with the applications
of biosolids to cropland.
- Concerns over biologically active compounds.
- Determine if the phosphorus index will be an appropriate risk management
tool for biosolids.
- Methods for reducing phosphorus in municipal effluent without chemical
treatment.
- With the intent of keeping the phosphorus available for future
agricultural use.
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