Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The application of geoengineering materials for the management of eutrophication of aquatic systems has been a burgeoning field over the past decade (e.g. Mackay et al. 2014; Spears et al. 2014). Aluminium (Al)- and lanthanum (La)-based materials are currently considered the most effective means for the removal of P as part of the targeted reduction of excess nutrients in eutrophic systems (Copetti et al. 2016; Douglas et al. 2008, Douglas 2010; Gibbs et al. 2011; Lurling et al. 2016; Smolders et al. 2006;Waajen et al. 2016a,
2016b). The relative performance of numerous materials, particularly P-sorbents, in freshwater environments has been extensively examined. Efficiency and effectiveness aspects in the use of these materials for eutrophication control have been reported on by Copetti et al. (2016); Douglas et al. (2016); Mucci et al. (2019) and Spears et al. (2013a). Ecosystem aspects have been examined in Copetti et al. (2016); social elements are discussed in Spears et al. (2013b), and the economics of their deployment examined by Hamilton et al. (2013).
In a recent article in this journal, Svatos (2018) asserts that “Commercial silicate phosphate sequestration and desorption leads to a gradual decline of aquatic systems”. We argue here that the data presented by Svatos (2018) does not support such a categorical statement. The concept of “decline” in this work is poorly defined and certainly not quantified. Furthermore, we show that this work
misinterprets much of the extant data. It is undoubtedly true that “manufactures’ (sic) claims” need to be examined, but to do that, they also need to be accurately
described and the experimental tests be germane to the claims. We will demonstrate here that the central tenet of this work is not supported by the content of this publication. The numerous errors and misinterpretations
in Svatos (2018) which we document here collectively undermine the arguments. In this comment, we focus on the interpretation made in relation to lanthanum-modified bentonite (LMB) as an example for all of the aluminosilicate materials evaluated.
Lanthanum-modified bentonite has to date been the subject of approaching 100 peer-reviewed publications that have examined aspects as diverse as efficacy, phosphate uptake, flocculation, macroinvertebrates and ecotoxicity across a range of predominantly freshwater systems (e.g. Copetti et al. 2016; Hongbin et al. 2018; Waajen et al. 2016a, 2016b, 2017). We will draw on this canon of independent, peer-reviewed information as supporting evidence as required to refute the contention of Svatos (2018) that “Commercial silicate phosphate sequestration and desorption leads to a gradual decline of aquatic systems”.
The application of geoengineering materials for the management of eutrophication of aquatic systems has been a burgeoning field over the past decade (e.g. Mackay et al. 2014; Spears et al. 2014). Aluminium (Al)- and lanthanum (La)-based materials are currently considered the most effective means for the removal of P as part of the targeted reduction of excess nutrients in eutrophic systems (Copetti et al. 2016; Douglas et al. 2008, Douglas 2010; Gibbs et al. 2011; Lurling et al. 2016; Smolders et al. 2006;Waajen et al. 2016a,
2016b). The relative performance of numerous materials, particularly P-sorbents, in freshwater environments has been extensively examined. Efficiency and effectiveness aspects in the use of these materials for eutrophication control have been reported on by Copetti et al. (2016); Douglas et al. (2016); Mucci et al. (2019) and Spears et al. (2013a). Ecosystem aspects have been examined in Copetti et al. (2016); social elements are discussed in Spears et al. (2013b), and the economics of their deployment examined by Hamilton et al. (2013).
In a recent article in this journal, Svatos (2018) asserts that “Commercial silicate phosphate sequestration and desorption leads to a gradual decline of aquatic systems”. We argue here that the data presented by Svatos (2018) does not support such a categorical statement. The concept of “decline” in this work is poorly defined and certainly not quantified. Furthermore, we show that this work
misinterprets much of the extant data. It is undoubtedly true that “manufactures’ (sic) claims” need to be examined, but to do that, they also need to be accurately
described and the experimental tests be germane to the claims. We will demonstrate here that the central tenet of this work is not supported by the content of this publication. The numerous errors and misinterpretations
in Svatos (2018) which we document here collectively undermine the arguments. In this comment, we focus on the interpretation made in relation to lanthanum-modified bentonite (LMB) as an example for all of the aluminosilicate materials evaluated.
Lanthanum-modified bentonite has to date been the subject of approaching 100 peer-reviewed publications that have examined aspects as diverse as efficacy, phosphate uptake, flocculation, macroinvertebrates and ecotoxicity across a range of predominantly freshwater systems (e.g. Copetti et al. 2016; Hongbin et al. 2018; Waajen et al. 2016a, 2016b, 2017). We will draw on this canon of independent, peer-reviewed information as supporting evidence as required to refute the contention of Svatos (2018) that “Commercial silicate phosphate sequestration and desorption leads to a gradual decline of aquatic systems”.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 10140-10146 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Environmental Science and Pollution Research |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2020 |
