Synthetic- and Bio-polymer use for runoff water quality management in irrigated agriculture

USO DE POLÍMEROS SINTÉTICOS Y BIOLÓGICOS PARA EL MANEJO DE LA CALIDAD DEL AGUA EN AGRICULTURA DE IRRIGACIÓN

Sojka, R.E. and Entry, J.A. and Orts, W.J. and Morishita, D.W. and Ross, C.W. and Horne, D.J. (2003) Synthetic- and Bio-polymer use for runoff water quality management in irrigated agriculture. pp. 3/130-3/136. In: Bruen, M. (ed.) Proceedings of the 7th International Specialised Conference on Diffuse Pollution and Basin Management and 36th Scientific Meeting of the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA). Ireland-Dublin, 2003/08/17-22.

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Abstract

Low concentrations of synthetic- or bio-polymers in irrigation water can nearly eliminate sediment, N,
ortho- and total-P, DOM, pesticides, micro-organisms, and weed seed from runoff. These environmentally safe
polymers are employed in various sensitive uses including food processing, animal feeds, and potable water
purification. The most common synthetic polymer is anionic, high purity polyacrylamide (PAM), which typically
provides 70-90% contaminant elimination. Excellent results are achieved adding only 10 ppm PAM to irrigation
water, applying 1-2 kg ha-lper irrigation, costing $4-$12 kg-1. Biopolymers are less effective, but show promise; they
include starch co-polymers, microfibril suspensions, chitin, polysaccharides and protein derivatives. Using twice or
higher concentrations, existing biopolymers are ~60% effective as PAM, at 2-3 times the cost kg-1. A half million ha
of US irrigated land use PAM for erosion control and runoff protection. The practice is spreading rapidly in the US
and worldwide. Interest in development of biopolymer surrogates for PAM is high. If the supply of cheap natural gas
(raw material for PAM synthesis) diminishes, industries may seek alternative polymers. Also "green" perceptions and
preferences favor biopolymers for certain applications. More complete history, user/technical information and
bibliography are found at <http://www.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/pampage.shtml>.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
NWISRL Publication Number:	1119
Subjects:	Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Erosion Irrigation > Furrow irrigation > Runoff losses Water > Water quality Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:56
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2016 16:49
Item ID:	940
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/940