Polymer Enhanced Pond & Lake Management Applied Polymer Systems, Inc

Polymer EnhancedPond & Lake Management

Applied Polymer Systems, Inc. Applied Polymer Systems, Inc. www.siltstop.com www.siltstop.com

Course Overview• Note: Floc Logs and Pond Logs referred to in this course are also known as

polymer blocks in the industry. Silt Stop Powder is also know as polyacrylamide powder or emulsion.

• Common definitions used in the erosion, sediment control, and water clarification industry

• Quick Review of the Fundamentals of Polymer Enhancement• Pond Logs: Facts and Application Rates• Metal and Nutrient Removal• Sediment and Nutrient Control Mixing Systems• Solar Bee (solar powdered) System

Passive Systems• Shoreline Stabilization• Systems Using Floc or Pond Log Links• Self Contained Portable Systems• Toxicity Testing• Sample Analysis• Rules for Polymer Use

Definitions

Anionic Polymer: A negatively charged polymer.

Acute Hypoxia: Occurs when cationic polymers attach to the negatively charged gill plates of aquatic organisms causing them to suffocate.

Best Management Practice (BMP): “A measure that is implemented to protect water quality and reduce the potential for pollution associated with storm water runoff.”1

Cationic Polymer: A positively charged polymer.

LC50: “The toxicant concentration that is lethal to 50 percent of exposed organisms at a specific time of observation.” 2

Definitions

NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): “The standard unit of measurement for turbidity in water analysis.”3 Turbidity: “A measure of the amount of material suspended in the

water. Increasing the turbidity of the water decreases the amount of light that penetrates the water column. High levels of turbidity are harmful to aquatic life.”4 NTU measures all particulate, including particles less than 0.45 microns .

Polyacrylamide (PAM):A water soluble polymer used in water clarification and erosion, sediment, and dust control.

Polymer: “A macromolecule formed by the chemical union of five or more identical combining units called monomers.“5

TSS (Total Suspended Solids): is a measurement of sediment particles 0.45 microns and larger.

Acronyms

Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research LaboratoryNWISRLNWISRLKimberlyKimberly, ID, ID

United States Department of Agriculture

United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service

Quick Review of the Fundamentals of

Polymer Enhancement:

Why We Need PAMHow is Sediment

HarmfulHow Polymer

Enhancement Works

Why We Need PAMHow is Sediment Harmful?

To get some perspective, drinking water is less than 1 NTU.

Without Federal guidelines, 1,000 NTU water could be discharged into lakes and streams, destroying aquatic ecosystems

At 1,000 NTU, we see reduced growth, reduced feeding rates, delayed hatching rates, and, even, death. Image from City of Calgary Drainage & Dewatering FAQ’s

0.3 NTU 991 NTU

This study shows why the EPA effluent guidelines and rules and regulations for discharge limits are so important. Even in low turbidity conditions (10 – 100 NTUs), aquatic organisms start to show signs of stress.

Image from Lake Superior Duluth Streams.org Water Quality: TSS & Turbidity site

How is Sediment Harmful?

How Polymer Enhancement Works

This is a schematic depiction of the interactions of anionic PAM with charged soil particles in the presence of calcium. 6

The negatively charged anionic polymer attaches to the negatively charged soil particle by bridging with something having a 2+ charge, such as Calcium, in the soil.

How Polymer Enhancement Works

Flocculation occurs when the polymer binds to the suspended soil in the water column, forming larger, heavier particulate that settles out of the water column, leaving the water clarified.

Sample Analysis

A sample analysis needs to be done before any application of polymers in order to determine the best product for that site.

Polymers are site specific and not “one size fits all”.

A sample analysis from Applied Polymer Systems

Pond Logs: Facts and Application

Rates

Pond Logs: Just the Facts

Pond Logs:

remove sediment and reduce TSS, NTUs, and a high amount of nutrients (about 85%), mainly phosphorous, by binding them together into larger, heavier conglomerates that settle out of the water column. This results in reduced algal growth and turbidity.

do not reduce 100 percent of the phosphorous and nutrients so the system is not sterilized, leaving a food source for plants and aquatic organisms within the water body.

are toxicity tested by a third party EPA certified lab and are shown to be non-toxic to fish or other aquatic organisms.

Pond Logs: Application Rates

One Pond Log will treat between 325,000 and one million gallons.

For best results or for particularly dirty water, use one log per 325,000 gallons.

For maintenance, use one log per one million gallons.

Pond Logs: Application Rates

One ‘acre foot’ is the volume of water that covers one surface acre at one foot deep. So, 1 acre surface area x 1 foot deep = 1 acre foot

Acre foot = 325,000 gallons

Example:

Acres x depth = acre foot

3 acres x 3 feet deep = 9 acre feet (2,925,000 gallons)

Metal and Nutrient Removal

Metal & Nutrient Removal with Pond Logs

Like sediment,

metals in particlate form can be very light and stay suspended in the water column.

When they become bound through flocculation, they become heavier flocs that can settle out of the water column.

This slide shows the reduction of metals from a wash plant up in Canada.

Metal & Nutrient Removal with

Pond Logs

The Pond Log is a semi-solid block of environmentally safe, non-toxic polymer blends, each type formulated to work with specific water chemistries.

Sediment and Nutrient Control Mixing Systems:

Aerators

Floating Fountains

Waterfalls

Sediment & Nutrient Control Systems

Aeration Systems Bubbles create the mixing required to release the polymers into the water column so the nutrients and suspended solids can be flocculated.

A float marks the location of the system in the pond and ensures that the log(s) will remain in the pathway of the bubbles.

Multiple logs can be added.


Floating Fountain Systems

Both the inflow to the fountain and the turbulence created by the spraying water create the required mixing to release the polymers of the Pond Log into the water column.

Multiple logs can be used.


Floating Fountain Systems

It is important to remember that continual operation of the fountain will shorten the life span of Pond Logs so frequent observation is necessary.


Waterfall Systems

Water flows over and around the Pond Logs to facilitate mixing and reaction.


Waterfall Systems Case Study: Koi Pond

This Koi pond became extremely turbid due to runoff from a construction site.

Pond Logs were

placed in the flow of the waterfall – not visible in this water.



Pond Logs, visible on the second and third steps, remove suspended sediment from the water column.

The Koi fish remained in the pond while it was being treated.



Clearly, the Pond Logs are removing sediment and nutrients from the water.

After two days of treatment with the Pond Logs, the water was clean and the fish were happy.


Waterfall Systems

Case Study: Lake Shore Park Condominiums

This pond in Michigan is about 1,800 square feet and 2 1/2 feet deep.

As with many small ponds across the country, nutrients like phosphorous began to build up and algae growth increased, with thick mats of it covering the rocks in the pond.


Waterfall Systems


This close up shows the dense algal mats covering the rock surfaces within the pond.


Waterfall Systems


The pond water was tested to find the best polymer log for this water chemistry.

The site-specific Pond Logs were placed on the steps of the waterfalls (2 logs per pond) to facilitate mixing and dispersion of the polymer material.


Waterfall Systems


Results were noticeable within the first month.

The rocks are almost clear of algal buildup and the pond water is clear.


Waterfall Systems


This method is very simple, requiring little to no maintenance, with excellent quality water as an outcome.

The Pond Logs are replaced about once a month (except in winter due to freezing of the ponds).

Solar Bee (solar powdered) System


Solar Bee (solar powdered) System

Case Study: Hilaman Lake This project/test was done with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on Hilaman Lake.

Pond Logs were

attached to a Solar Bee (solar powered fountain-circulator) so water could flow over and around them to treat the 10 million gallon lake.

SolarBee


Solar Bee (solar powered) System

Case Study: Hilaman Lake Pond Logs are attached to

the outside of the SolarBee where water flows over and around them.

Pond Logs work to bind the nutrients and flocculate particulated algae.



Case Study: Hilaman Lake

Before being treated with the Pond Logs, nutrients caused vegetative growth to take over Hilaman Lake.

July 2007



Case Study: Hilaman Lake

November 2007

After treating the lake for four months, the nutrient load was reduced and a visible reduction in vegetative growth was observed.

Notice that enough vegetation remains to sustain aquatic life.

These results from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection show a 76 percent reduction in phosphorous after the logs were placed in the system.

One gram of phosphorous produces 100 grams of algae so by reducing the phosphorous levels, the algae are starved out.

Sediment & Nutrient Control Systems Solar Bee (solar powered)

SystemCase Study: Hilaman Lake

What About When There is No Mixing Apparatus?

Passive Systems

No Mixing ApparatusPassive Systems

In this case, Floc Logs were placed in the ditch that fed this pond. When stormwater entered the ditch, the flow went over and around the logs and the log components were discharged into the pond; a reaction occurred, creating flocculent, and the pond was clarified. This passive system works best on smaller ponds where it is possible for the log components to circulate through the entire pond.

No Mixing ApparatusPassive Systems

Here, Floc Logs are placed in the stream that feeds a pond. As water flows over and around the logs, they slowly dissolve, releasing the polymer where it mixes and reacts to clarify the water. This is a suitable application for smaller ponds where the treated water can circulate throughout.

Shoreline Stabilization

Shoreline Stabilization

Bare soil and soil erosion contribute to pond turbidity.

Stabilizing the banks with polymer enhanced soft armoring prevents erosion and sedimentation from entering the pond, reduces maintenance, and helps let vegetation get established.

Shoreline Stabilization Case Study: Lake Independence

Erosion of the shoreline is clearly visible on the bank along the right side of this photograph.

A blended anionic polymer powder was used to stabilize the soil during construction.


Geosynthetic fabric is laid on the bank then covered with sand.


Excess fabric is pulled over the sand, then fortified with rock, forming a containment for the sediment.


The completed bank structure consists of polymer, sand, rock, and top soil.


Polymer, seed mix, mulch, and straw matrix are spread over rock.

Once the polymer-soil matrix is formed, the soil is more resistant to erosion.


The project took about two weeks to complete. The following spring, the bank was visually appealing and permanent. Note the grass growing between the rocks and the clarity of the water

as seen by the reflection of the tree.

Systems Using

Floc Log or Pond Log Links

Systems Using Floc Log or Pond Log Links

Floc Log and Pond Log Links are comprised of seven small logs joined together in “links”. One group of links contains the same amount of polymer as one Floc or Pond Log.


The LIPVAC (Low Interior Pressure Venture Aeration Circulation) system is designed to operate on high volume but with low pressure which allows the pump to operate at very high efficiency, resulting in lower electrical costs.

As water moves through the circulator, it flows over and around the Floc or Pond Log Links, causing them to dissolve and disperse throughout the water column where the polymer blends attach to the nutrients and/or sediment in the water column.


Case Study: Rolling M Ranch This project was

an 18 million gallon storm water pond in Georgia, which became contaminated with sediment during the construction of a natural gas pipeline.

The rancher’s cattle were getting sick and two died from drinking this water.

967 NTUs

Systems Using Floc Log or Pond Log Links Case Study: Rolling M Ranch

A LIPVAC system was used to circulate the polymer blends throughout the pond to reduce turbidity.

This LIPVAC System ran 24 hours a day for about 30 days.

Systems Using Floc Log or Pond Log Links Case Study: Rolling M Ranch

After treatment, the pond's turbidity was reduced from 967 NTUs to 14.

14 NTUs


Case Study: Berry Pond

Berry Pond, in Florida, was completely covered in duckweed and water meal.

Initial turbidity and phosphorous levels were elevated.


Case Study: Berry Pond Pond Log Links were

used with a LIPVAC system.

One week later there was a visible difference.

After about 60 days, the once green pond became a beautiful, clear pond.


Case Study: Berry Pond

This graph shows the numeric reduction in nutrients and turbidity.

Self-Contained Portable Systems

Self Contained Portable Systems

The WaterWagon is a convenient, portable unit that uses Floc or Pond Log Links.

Case Study: Self Contained Portable Systems

Initial turbidity of this pond was around 300 NTUs.

Water was pumped into cannons at the top where it flowed over the inserted Pond Log Links, mixing and reacting with the turbid water.

Pond Log Links are inserted into cannons.

Pond Log Links


Next, the polymer treated water was discharged into tanks containing fibrous jute matting.

Notice how the flocculated particulate leaving the mixing cannons attached to the jute in the tanks.

This is where additional log links could be added if needed.


Water was forced through a serpentine baffle grid where the heavier, flocculated sediment could settle.

Coconut matting and baffles inside the mixing chamber capture flocculated sediment.


Cleaner water exiting the system is given a final polishing by flowing over jute matting which has been sprinkled with Silt Stop powder.

The original turbidity measurement of approximately 300 NTUs has been reduced to a much cleaner 17.

Self Contained, Portable Systems:

Tank System

Portable tank systems can use regular logs or log links.

Self Contained, Portable Systems:Tank System

Treated water enters tank for particle collection.

NOTE: Schematic for single tank

Discharge exits Baker Tank.

Particle Curtains placed in a series, fit to tank size, as water must flow through, not around curtains.

Water flows through particle curtains becoming clearer with each subsequent passing.

Launder with Pond or Floc Logs or log links.

Toxicity Testing

Toxicity Testing

The highlighted text indicates that toxicity testing of any polymer blend product should be “based on reasonable worst-case analysis”.

The idea is to test the whole product before it is applied to ensure that it is not toxic.

If the whole product is not toxic then any residual of the product would not be toxic.

Note: Floc Log testing was conducted using worst-case analysis. All toxicity tests were conducted using ASTM procedures at full chemical exposure.Chitosan tests were conducted using effluent after reaction filtration. This is not worst-case analysis and does not follow ASTM procedures.

Toxicity TestingExample of a Toxicity Report Done by a Third Party

EPA Certified Lab

The chart above shows the fathead minnow survival percentage as the Floc Log concentration is increased. As shown, there is an 77.5% survival rate of the minnows at 1,680 ppm Floc Log concentration.

The above chart compares the LC50 values of polymers commonly used in stormwater applications. The LC50 value is the lethal concentration where 50% of the population dies. As can be seen, Chitosan has extremely low LC50 values making it highly toxic.

Polymer LC50 Values (mg/L)Polymer D. magna 48 hr O. mykiss 96 hr P. promealas 96 hr

Al2Cl(OH)5 > 5000 390 517

DADMAC 17.5 0.49 1.65

Mimosa bark 258 No data 1.3

Chitosan 13.7 1.1 6.4

APS 706b Floc Log > 420 637 > 1680

APS 703d Floc Log 383 1900 No data

APS 712 Silt Stop 1617 No data > 6720

Toxicity TestingExample of a Toxicity Report Done by a Third Party

EPA Certified Lab

Toxicity Testing

Very little Chitosan was required to kill this fish.

A 0.001% solution is like putting 645 grains of salt, or 1/128th of a teaspoon, into one gallon of water.

Anionic Erosion and Water Clarification PAM based

polymers are FAR less toxic than Fungicides, Insecticides,

Rodenticides, Cationic Polymers, most Herbicides

and even Concentrated Fertilizers.

NWISRLNWISRLKimberly, IDKimberly, ID

Toxicity Testing

Sample Analysis

Sample Analysis

A sample analysis needs to be done before any application of polymers in order to determine the best product for that site.

Polymers are site specific and not “one size fits all”.

A sample analysis from Applied Polymer Systems

Rules for Polymer Use

1. Polymers must be anionic and non-toxic to aquatic organisms with an EPA certified toxicity report (whole product WET tests using ASTM guidelines).

2. Each site application must demonstrate 95% or better NTU reduction based on initial test reports.

3. Polymers are unique for each application. There is no “one type fits all”, so testing must be done.

Factors Affecting Pond Logs

Poor or improper design (Plan in advance!!) Insufficient mixing time Incorrect polymer for the specific soil and water

chemistries. Remember, polymers are site specific! You must test the soil or water chemistry to determine the correct polymer product

Application rates are wrong Soil and landscape variability Temperature – reaction times are increased in colder

temperatures

References1International Erosion Control Association. Resources: Terms & Acronyms.

http://www.ieca.org/resources/Reference/DefinitionsAC.asp

2BioTox Laboratory. (2004, January). Report for chronic toxicity testing for Applied Polymer Systems Silt Stop 702 product. Retrieved from http://www.siltstop.com/pdf/tox/Chronic%20(minnow)%20702%2012-3-03.pdf

3McGowan, W. (2000). All about Water. Des Plaines, Illinois: Scranton Gillette Communications, Inc.

4International Erosion Control Association. Resources: Terms & Acronyms. http://www.ieca.org/resources/Reference/DefinitionsTZ.asp

5Lewis, R. J., Sr. (2007). Hawley's condensed chemical dictionary (15th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

6Orts, Sojka, and Glenn. 2002. Polymer Additives in Irrigation Water to Reduce Erosion and Better Manage Water Infiltration. Agro-Food Industry Hi-Tech. July/August, pp 37-41

References

Applied Polymer Systems. (2010, October). Applied Polymer Systems [Polymer Enhanced Best Management Practices Application Guide]. Retrieved from http://www.siltstop.com

Lewis, R. J., Sr. (2007). Hawley's condensed chemical dictionary (15th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Minnesota Rural Water Association (Ed.). (2009). Minnesota water works operations manual. (Original work published 1994) Click Here

Moss, N., & Dymond, B. (n.d.). Flocculation: Theory & application. Click Here

Romøren, K., Thu, B. J., & Evensen, Ø. (2002, December). Immersion delivery of plasmid DNA II. A study of the potentials of a chitosan based delivery system in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry. Journal of controlled release, 85(1-3), 215-225. doi:10.1016/S0168-3659(02)00278-X

Sojka, R. E., and Lentz, R. D. (1997). A PAM Primer: A brief history of PAM and PAM-related issues. pp. 1-12. Full Text

References

Stechemesser, H., & Dobias, B. (Eds.). (2005). Surfactant science series: Vol. 126. Coagulation and flocculation (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, Florida: Taylor & Francis. Click Here

USDA Agricultural Research Service. (2009, August 19). PAM research. Retrieved from United States Department of Agriculture website: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=18850

University of Central Florida. (2010, October 19). Stormwater Management Academy. Retrieved from http://www.stormwater.ucf.edu/

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). (2003). Chitosan: Poly-D-glucosamine (128930) Fact Sheet. Full Text

US EPA. (2008, November 21). Development Document for Proposed Effluent Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Category. Full Text

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia: Polymer. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer

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Polymer Enhanced Pond & Lake Management Applied Polymer Systems, Inc