1. Phosphorus removal and recovery through novel adsorption technology
Chris Kudlata, Mohsen Manjili, Marcia Silva*
Water Technology Accelerator, Global Water Center
*Corresponding author:

2. Abstract
Agriculture runoff is one of the major sources of phosphorus in our waterways due to fertilizers and animal waste. Phosphorus run off is becoming a huge dilemma in lakes, rivers, and watersheds everywhere. Our laboratory has developed a novel filtration material for removal and recovery of phosphorus from stormwater, which is the fundamental of circular economy. The goal of this research is to  compare two different methods to desorb and recover phosphorus from a saturated filtration particle. Two methods are being evaluated. Preliminary data has indicated that NaOH solution can desorb more phosphorus from the filtration particles than KOH solution.

3. Some types of algae can be poisonous to humans dogs and other species.
Agriculture runoff is one of the major sources of phosphorus in our waterways due to fertilizers and animal waste. 
Phosphorus run off is becoming a huge dilemma in lakes, rivers, and watersheds everywhere.
Some types of algae can be poisonous to humans dogs and other species.
Lake Monona in Madison, WI Source RICKERT, C. (2010, May 14).
Chaohu Lake in Hefei, China Source (2005, May 5)

4. METHODOLOGY
Saturate 8 grams filter of material with 50 ppm of phosphorus and then calculate amount of phosphorus in effluent using a UV Spectrophotometer.
Calculate difference between 50 ppm and effluent result and then divide  the difference by 8.
Fig. 2: A Column test setup   
Fig. 3:  A Column test 
Fig. 4 : A Column test ‘s dimensions 
Method 1
Method 2
Fig. 4 An Isotherm test on a shake plate  
Put 1 gram of filter material in 250mL 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 concentration, M of NaOH solution.
Run an Isotherm test for 24 Hours at a 180 rpm to desorb phosphorus from filter material.
Take a sample and use a UV Spectrophotometer and then calculate % desorbed and compare results between methods.
Put 1 gram of filter material in 250mL 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 concentration, M of KOH solution.
Run an Isotherm test for 24 Hours at a 180 rpm to desorb phosphorus from filter material. 
Take a sample and use a UV Spectrophotometer  and then calculate % desorbed and compare results between methods.
Fig. 5  A UV Spectrophotometer   

5. Results and Discussion
Preliminary data indicates that NaOH was better at desorbing phosphorus. 
At every concentration NaOH had a better % desorption.  
For both methods, the stronger the concentration gets the more efficient it is at desorbing phosphorus
Table 1: Data Table of Results  
Table 2: A % Desorbed vs Conc 
Sample ID (min)
Volume of Solution (mL)
Conc.  (M)
Mass of P in Solution (mg)
Mass of P in Filter Material (mg/g)
% P Desorbed
KOH (0.05M)
0.05
0.09
1.36 7%
KOH (0.10M)
0.1
0.32
1.13
22%
KOH (0.50M)
250
0.5
KOH (1.0M) 1
0.65
0.80
45%
NaOH (0.05M)
0.24
1.21
17%
NaOH (0.10M)
0.62
0.83
43%
NaOH (0.50M)
0.85
0.60
58%
NaOH (1.0M)
1.16
0.29
80%

6. Citations
1.RICKERT, C. (2010, May 14). Madison hopes a new project will help in its annual fight against algae. Retrieved April 3, 2019, from 
2.Jie Xie, Zhe Wang, Da Fang, Chunjie Li, Deyi Wu,
Green synthesis of a novel hybrid sorbent of zeolite/lanthanum hydroxide and its application in the removal and recovery of phosphate from water, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Volume 423, 2014, Pages 13-19, ISSN ,
3. Hu Kewei Effects of Modified Zeolite on Adsorption and Desorption of Phosphorus. Meteorological & Environmental Research . Jun2014, Vol. 5 Issue 6, p p.
4.“Algae Threatens 320,000 People in Anhui.” 5 May 2008,