Phoslock®
Phoslock® is a proprietary and unique water treatment product that permanently binds excess phosphorus in the water column and enables it to settle in an environmentally benign state. It was developed in the 1990s by the Australian national science agency CSIRO and consists of lanthanum-modified bentonite.
- Phoslock utilizes the ability of lanthanum to react with potentially releasable phosphate primarily from the sediment but will also react with phosphate in the water column during application
- Phoslock binds available phosphate to form the naturally occurring, non-toxic, inert mineral Rhabdophane
- Scientific evidence shows that Phoslock does not pose any risk to freshwater biota or have any human health related risks
How does Phoslock work?
Phoslock works by utilizing the ability of lanthanum to react with phosphate. Removal of phosphate by lanthanum is highly efficient and has a molar ratio of 1:1 which means that one ion of lanthanum will bind with one ion of phosphate. This binding forms the mineral Rhabdophane (an insoluble and biologically inert compound) which strips phosphate from the water.
What happens to Phoslock when it has been applied?
How much phosphate does Phoslock remove?
Chelsea Ponds, New Zealand – Phoslock Application
Kralingse Plas, The Netherlands – Phoslock Application
Interview with City of Rotterdam – Anne Mollema