Trivalent Metal Aquatic Treatment for Phosphorus Binding and Lower Ecotoxicity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in effectively managing eutrophication in surface waters due to high phosphorus levels, limited use of phosphorus-binding salts due to aquatic ecotoxicity, and the need for multiple applications of copper-based algaecides and herbicides, which are toxic to nuisance photosynthetic organisms, while also failing to improve sediment quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of trivalent metal salts, such as lanthanum and cerium chlorides, combined with additives like magnesium oxide and bentonite clay, to bind phosphorus and reduce dissolved metals, enhance algaecide and herbicide efficacy, and preserve dissolved oxygen in water bodies, thereby improving sediment quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphorus-binding salts (trivalent metals) are used to remove excess phosphorus in surface waters, then eutrophication control is improved, but aquatic ecotoxicity increases at higher doses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnesium oxide and bentonite clay as intermediary substances that bind to trivalent metals (La3+, Ce3+, Al3+, Fe3+) to form stable complexes. These complexes serve as mediators that maintain the phosphorus-binding capability of the trivalent metals while reducing their direct toxic effects on aquatic biota. The magnesium oxide and bentonite clay act as carrier materials that control the release and availability of the metal cations in the water column.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite treatment formulations by combining phosphorus-binding trivalent metal salts with magnesium oxide and/or bentonite clay. This composite approach allows the system to achieve effective phosphorus removal while the magnesium oxide and bentonite components reduce the bioavailability and toxicity of the metal cations to aquatic organisms.
2Productivity
If copper-based algaecides and herbicides are applied to control nuisance photosynthetic organisms, then algal and plant growth control is improved, but copper residues accumulate in water bodies and sediment quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of copper residues by using trivalent metals (particularly La3+ and Ce3+) to bind with copper ions in the water column. This binding process transforms free toxic copper into metal-complexed forms that are less bioavailable and less harmful to aquatic ecosystems, while the trivalent metals themselves are then bound by magnesium oxide or bentonite clay to further reduce their mobility and toxicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Trivalent metals serve as intermediary substances that bind copper ions, acting as a bridge between the harmful copper residues and the benign magnesium oxide/bentonite clay system. This intermediary binding reduces copper bioavailability and prevents direct copper toxicity to aquatic biota while maintaining water quality.
3Productivity
If multiple applications of copper-based pesticides are used to manage eutrophic waters, then nuisance organism control is improved, but treatment cost increases and dissolved oxygen levels decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the treatment system by introducing trivalent metals that enhance the efficacy of copper-based pesticides. This parameter change allows for reduced copper application rates while achieving the same or better control of nuisance organisms, thereby reducing total pesticide load and associated oxygen depletion from repeated applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces ecotoxicity, enhances the efficacy of algaecides and herbicides, minimizes copper residues, and improves sediment quality by binding phosphorus and maintaining oxygen levels, addressing the limitations of current methods.
Implementation Method 1
Trivalent metallic cations (M3+) such as lanthanum (La3+), cerium (Ce3+), aluminum (Al3+), and iron (Fe3+) have high P binding affinity
Implementation Method 2
The at least one additive being present in an amount capable of enabling the product to bind trivalent metals from the at least one trivalent metal salt dissolved in a body of water
Implementation Method 3
preserve dissolved oxygen at the sediment-water interface
Implementation Method 4
reduce the concentration of copper following the application of copper-based pesticides
Implementation Method 5
reduce the accumulation of sediment organic matter and enhance sediment redox
Data Source
AI summary
Products and methods related to the enhancement of efficacy of algaecides and/or aquatic herbicides using metallic trivalent cations, as well as the reduction in ecotoxicity and non-target effects and preservation of water quality. Some embodiments advantageously provide the benefit of binding phosphorus, but allow for a substantial reduction in the dissolved trivalent metal and an increased ability to target the main source of future phosphorus release. In one aspect of an embodiment, a trivalent cation delivery system includes a commonly available commodity that can be simultaneously added to the water or mixed in a tank prior to the application, avoiding the need for an industrial process to cohere the components. In another aspect of the embodiment, the trivalent cation delivery system may be accomplished by the use of an algaecide and/or aquatic herbicide prior to the application of the phosphorus binding metal.