Effectiveness and Longevity of Phosphorus Inactivation with Alum

TLDR: In this article, the effectiveness and longevity of alum treatments were evaluated in 21 lakes (or lake basins) across the United States; 9 were polymictic and 12 were dimictic.

Abstract: Effectiveness and longevity of alum treatments were evaluated in 21 lakes (or lake basins) across the United States; 9 were polymictic and 12 were dimictic. Effectiveness was judged from reductions in lake TP (total phosphorus) and internal loading rate, as well as chlorophyll a (chl a), both initially and over periods ranging from 4 to 20 years following treatment. Internal loading rate was reduced in six of nine polymictic lakes/basins by an average of two-thirds, and lake TP was reduced by about one-half, which persisted for 5–11 years. Internal loading rate in dimictic lakes (7 of 7 with adequate data) remained reduced by an average of 80% for 4 to 21 years (average 13 yrs). For the six polymictic lakes, in which treatment was effective, chl a decreased by an average of two-thirds initially, but was about 40% less than die pre-treatment level after 5 to 11 years. Chl a decreased in seven dimictic lakes by an average of 57% initially and 42% after 5–18 years. In some cases, response was indepe...