Phosphorous runoff risk assessment and its potential management using wollastonite according to geochemical modeling

Abstract

Loss of phosphorus from agricultural land through water runoff causes serious detrimental effects on the environment and on water quality. Phosphorous runoff from excessive use of fertilizers can cause algal blooms to grow in nearby water systems, producing toxins that contaminate drinking water sources and recreational water. In this study, a risk analysis of the algal toxin micro-cystin-LR and the mitigation of phosphorus from agriculture runoff is discussed. A risk analysis was performed on the algal bloom toxin microcystin-LR considering the Lake Erie algal bloom event of 2011 as a case study. Toxicity risk analysis results show that relatively low concentrations of microcystin-LR compared to recent case studies pose an acute health risk to both children and adults, and a significant increase in the risk of developing cancer is suggested but subject to further study given the assumptions made. This study investigated the potential of using wollastonite to mitigate phosphorus pollution, considering thermodynamic conditions of a constructed wetland receiving influent water from agriculture runoff, by using geochemical modelling. Geochemical modelling results show that wollastonite can react with phosphorus and capture it in the stable mineral form of hydroxyapatite, offering a possible strategy for risk mitigation of phosphorous runoff. A removal efficiency of 77% of phosphorus using wollastonite is calculated with the help of geochemical modelling.