Alum Applications & Injection Systems
As a leader in the northeast of aquatic habitat management and restoration, we have considerable knowledge of controlling internal nutrient loading. One of the special techniques designed to limit productivity of a lake is the application of aluminum sulfate (alum). Alum works by forming a floc that strips phosphorus and suspended materials out of the water column. As it settles to the bottom, the floc impedes further phosphorus release from the sediments there. Thus, alum can effectively inactivate much of the available phosphorus in a given water body. Since phosphorus is often the limiting nutrient in algal growth, alum is therefore an effective means of limiting algal productivity. It can also greatly improve clarity in a water body since it removes the suspended materials that contribute to cloudiness.
 Alum may alter certain chemical characteristics of a water body, most notably pH. To maintain safe conditions for aquatic organisms, Allied Biological performs a series of chemical analyses to determine the optimum dose rate for minimum pH change and maximum nutrient removal. Alum can then be applied by a surface spray or sub-surface injection, depending on the goals of the project. pH is constantly monitored during application. If necessary, buffering materials are added to the water body to help stabilize the pH.
Alum is a proven lake management tool and can dramatically improve a water body, both in the short and long term. Each application must be completed carefully by trained Biologists and technicians to preserve aquatic life.
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