Establishing ecological reference conditions and tracking post-application effectiveness of lanthanum-saturated bentonite clay (Phoslock®) for reducing phosphorus in aquatic systems: An applied paleolimnological approach

摘要: Innovative management strategies for nutrient enrichment of freshwater are important in the face this increasing global problem, however many not assessed over long enough time periods to establish effectiveness. Paleolimnological techniques using diatoms as biological indicators were utilized ecological reference conditions, environmental variation, and effectiveness lanthanum-saturated bentonite clay (brand name: Phoslock(®)) applied reduce water column phosphorus (P) concentrations four waterbodies Ontario, Canada, eastern Australia. In sediment cores from two Canadian sites, there short-lived changes diatom assemblages, relative inferred background a temporary reduction both measured diatom-inferred total (TP) before returning pre-application conditions (particularly urban stormwater pond which has high flushing rate responds rapidly precipitation surface run-off). The Australian sites (a sewage treatment shallow recreational lake), recorded no TP. Based on our reconstruction, assemblages TP appeared be driven by larger, climatic factors. While laboratory tests involving product showed sharp reductions TP, require detailed information variations order accurately assess new technologies lake management.