Flocculants and coagulants are popular products to use in soils. However, there are restrictions to their use. This means to apply them to the soil you will need to carefully plan and follow all recommended guidelines.
Planning & Implementation
The first step is to get approval from regulators who are relevant to the location of where you plan to use the product. Prior approval is necessary, especially when the product itself may contain toxins that might be harmful to the environment when used improperly.
Be sure to review the toxicity testing of the product, including its effect on aquatic life so you know the parameters of how it can be used. Once you have met the requirements, then you should review the manufacturer’s specifications of how the product should be applied.
One of the most common mistakes is to not get the proper data on the texture or pH of the soil before adding the product. This means that the soil needs to be properly tested first to ensure that a flocculant or coagulant is truly needed or will be effective. It may be that other methods are more effective based on the results of the tests. Another potential issue is the over application of the product which may cause soil dispersion. Plus, if the product is not mixed properly, it may not be effective or worse, the sediment may not settle properly as a result of its use.
Inspection & Maintenance
Given the considerable number of products and chemicals used to stabilize the soil, including coagulation and flocculation, a surprising number of them are simply not effective at their designated task. This includes such toxic products as cationic polyacrylamides or catatonic PAM. Such products are not only useless but contain toxins which are harmful to the environment and dangerous when exposed to people and animals.
Keep in mind that even effective products can be limited by the properties found in the soil. Such properties include but are not limited to the following.
– Conductivity
– pH
– Texture
Plus, the amount that is applied will determine the effectiveness of the product. Too little and it will not achieve the desired results. Too much and you may face additional issues that must be treated. To determine the optimal amount of the product to be used, this may require a jar test. This type of test is relatively easy to do and provides enough information so that you can apply the proper amount of the product.
Aftermath
Remember to never apply any flocculants or coagulant products adjacent to bodies of water. Even when properly applied, they may contaminant the nearby water and cause additional issues as it spreads.
When using flocculants or coagulants, it is important to follow all the recommended steps. Be sure to get clearance from the proper authorities, especially when using any product that contains toxic elements. Proper use of the right flocculants or coagulants will not only have the desired effect, but they will not cause any harm to the environment.
Tag: Erosion, BMP series, coagulants, esc plan, flocculants, sediement
