1. Metal coated porous material for phosphorus removal from water
Authors: Anne Barlas, Marcia R. Silva* and David Garman School of Freshwater Sciences – Water Technology Accelerator (WaTA), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 247 W. Freshwater Way, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (USA).*

2. Prototype Development Results: Prototype Regeneration of Material
Outline
Problem statement
Porous Material
Prototype Development
Results: Prototype
Regeneration of Material
Results: Regeneration

3. Figure 2: Snapshot of phosphorus pollution in Great Lakes[5]
Phosphorus Pollution in the Great Lakes and how Porous Material can help
Nutrient overloads fundamentally change the ecosystem
Native aquatic plants are replaced by less desirable plants that are capable of competing more effectively in nutrient-laden water. Decomposition of algae can devoid a water body of oxygen to the point where aquatic life cannot be sustained, leaving the area inhabitable by aquatic life. [1]
Phosphorous pollution
Urban and agricultural inflow are leading factor of phosphorus pollution
Phosphorus one of most common nutrient additions in Great Lakes
Phosphorus as aquatic plant nutrient: algae blooms %
Figure 2: Snapshot of phosphorus pollution in Great Lakes[5]
Porous material
Naturally occurring porous material:
Ideal pore size for contaminant adsorption, comparable to sponge
Material chemically engineered to target phosphorous in water

4. How does Phosphorus reach the Great Lakes?
Nutrient overloads fundamentally change the ecosystem
Native aquatic plants are replaced by less desirable plants that are capable of competing more effectively in nutrient-laden water. Decomposition of algae can devoid a water body of oxygen to the point where aquatic life cannot be sustained, leaving the area inhabitable by aquatic life. [1]
Figure 1: Drainage overflow during heavy rain [4] %

5. Research Plan Chemically engineer (coat with metal) porous material
Optimize fabrication method and performance for phosphorus removal from water
Use material to filter storm-water before it reaches the Great Lakes
Develop rack system for filtration beds implemented at overflow effluents
Figure 1: Drainage overflow during heavy rain [4]
Porous material

6. Prototype Development
Pouch within orange box holds material
Shower head to disperse storm water over filtration media
Porous material
100% exhaustion achieved with 100mg/L phosphorous load
Usage period of 1 year for full scale
Flow meter
Filtered Water Collection
Storm-water
Filtration Media

7. Regeneration of Material
Process:
Spike column of clean porous material with known amount of phosphorus, as shown in Figure 3.
Heat spent porous material to beyond the melting point of phosphorus and repeat column spike experiment.
Figure 3: Column experiment to measure phosphorus retention

8. Figure 4: Results of column experiment
Results: Regeneration
Characterize material efficiency by repeating column experiment and measuring phosphorus content.
The first two cycles retain phosphorus completely.
Figure 4 shows that after 3 cycles, material is 5% less efficient at retaining phosphorus.
Figure 4: Results of column experiment

9. Acknowledgements
From SFS we acknowledge Dr. Osvaldo Villet for the use of the pond pump and the Instrument shop for their assistance in developing the prototype.
We acknowledge badger Meter for supplying the flow meter.
The authors thank Barlas’ Senior Excellence in Research award for making this project possible.

10. References
[1] Sigrid D.P. Smith et al. Ecological Applications (2015) 25: 3. doi: /
[2] Schock, N.T., Murry, B.A. & Uzarski, D.G. Wetlands (2014) 34: 297. doi: /s x
[3] Young, T.C. Hydrobiologia (1982) 91: 111. doi: /BF
[4] Figure 1: Stormwater image: Seattle Public Utilites
[5] Great Lakes Environmental Assessment and Mapping (GLEAM) Project,

11. Questions? Figure 4: Results of column experiment
Figure 1: Drainage overflow during heavy rain [4]
Questions?
Figure 3: Column experiment to measure phosphorus retention
Figure 4: Results of column experiment