Phosphorus removal from water by polyolefins activated with

Eutrophization of aquatic ecosystems due to high phosphorus concentrations is associated with algal blooms which lead to poor water quality (Ribeiro et al, 2008; Martins et al, 2008). Processes used in remediation of water bodies include removal of P from the water column by precipitation and P inactivation in sediments (sediment capping). Remediation solutions have been tested for a long time but with limited success. Chemical precipitation of P with aluminium, iron, and calcium salts added to the water column has several disadvantages, namely is inadequate to remove low concentrations of phosphorus, contaminates water with high concentrations of sulphate and chloride ions, and generates large quantities of flocs that settle to the sediment (Ramm and Scheps, 1997; Lijklema et al, 1993; Jin et al, 2006). A sediment capping layer would remain in place indefinitely, unless disturbed by ebullition of sediment gases or some major seismic or climatic disturbance. Potential problems with sediment capping are bioturbation and wave action (Hano et al,1997; Donnert and Salecker 1999). For this reasons, we propose a new method for phosphorus removal based in polyolefins activated with a sequestering agent (Al2O3)