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| What's New... | |
 Biosolids
Research Project in cooperation with Texas A&M UniversityLand application for beneficial reuse solves the problem of how to safely recycle wastewater treatment residual biosolids. Research, conducted by both public and private institutes for over thirty years, clearly demonstrates that biosolids pose no threat to public health or the environment when processed and land applied in compliance with TAC 312 and 40 CFR 503 regulations. Heavy metals, pathogenic organisms and flies are no longer a problem as long as the biosolids are handled properly. 
The agricultural value of biosolids, as with any organic material,
is a source of nitrates and phosphorus, both essential for plant growth.
However, these nutrients, when found in excess, constitute a potential
danger to surface and ground water resources. Excess nitrate (NO3)
nitrogen can leach from the soil into groundwater, polluting drinking
water sources. Soil phosphorus may dissolve in surface runoff or be
transported with eroded sediment into surface lakes and streams. This
sudden increase in available phosphorus to aquatic environments can
result in algae blooms, causing oxygen depletion; fish kills, and
impaired recreational use. However, both potential pollutants can be controlled with a nutrient management plan. Under nutrient management, biosolids loading is based on plant nitrogen or phosphorus uptake. The Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station are now conducting research to develop nutrient management procedures that reflect good science.  To
assist in this task, K-3BMI recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement
and Understanding with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station to
sponsor a nutrient management research project. Under the direction
of Sam Feagley, Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University,
the project goal is to determine the extent of phosphorus and nitrogen
transport across biosolids land application sites in the Gulf Coastal
Plain of Texas. K-3BMI through the Compliance Director, Charles E.
Pehl, PhD (Texas A&M, 1981) will provide three TCEQ permitted
sites, along with historical and background compliance data. The company
has also committed to partially fund the project. Phase 1 was initiated on 10 and 11 December 2003. Three sample plots (Hockley series, fine sandy loam) were located on the Hockley Ranch, northwest Harris County. Three (3-inch) rainfall events were simulated on each plot. Soil field capacity was recorded, and time to runoff calculated. Runoff samples were collected to be analyses for nitrogen and phosphorus. |