Clays A clay “soil" is characterized as having greater than 20% of its particles < 2 mm in size. This option is appropriate for those seeking approval* of a polymer for use in any soil condition (clay, silt, or other).
Silts A silt “soil" is characterized as having less than 20% of its particles < 2 mm in size AND greater than 20% of its particles 2-25 mm in size. This option is appropriate for those seeking approval* of a polymer for use only in silt soils. The 2-25 mm size is representative of fine to medium silt soils.
Site-Specific Use of a site-specific “soil" provides an alternative for those seeking approval* of a polymer that may be customized for optimum performance (in both terms of suspended sediment removal and amount of polymer used) at a particular site. The results of a mechanical soil analysis characterizing the site soil sample particle size composition must be provided. The results of this analysis should be submitted with the results of the standpipe test entered on the “Standpipe Test Data Sheet." This option is provided since each site will have at least slight differences, if not significant differences, in soil chemical and physical characteristics. These differences may influence the effectiveness of any given polymer.
Indicate which “soil" type is used in the standpipe test on the data sheet under “√ Soil Type Used."
* Note that final approval of a polymer is granted only after it is demonstrated through both the standpipe and field tests that the polymer is effective and can be effectively applied.
2. Mix the solutions by completely inverting each graduated cylinder 3 times.
3. Add polymer mixture to each graduated cylinder. The volume and concentration of polymer added is the manufacturer's or supplier's choice, but must include a set volume and a gradient of “low" to “high" concentrations. The volume and each polymer concentration must be recorded on the data sheet. The purpose is to determine the lowest polymer mixture concentration needed to achieve effective removal of suspended solids. Ultimately the least amount of polymer mixture needed to achieve optimal performance should be used in the field.
A minimum gradient of five polymer mixture concentrations is used to achieve the above stated purpose. The purpose of the five concentration gradient is to attempt to pinpoint the concentration that achieves optimal removal of suspended solids (i.e. least amount of polymer mixture required to remove a minimum of 95% of the suspended solids). This gradient should be sufficiently wide to show a range of effectiveness in removing suspended solids (with at least one, but preferably more, meeting the 95% removal level). A second goal of using a minimum of five concentrations is to avoid the occurrence of false negative outcomes in the polymer approval process. By having more concentrations across a gradient it is more likely to find truly effective concentrations that are less than the use restriction value. As is graphically depicted in Figure I, a polymer mixture will not be approved for field testing, and thus for inclusion on the PAL if its effective concentration (as determined in this laboratory stand pipe test) is greater than the use restriction value.
4. Mix the solutions by completely inverting each graduated cylinder 3 times.
5. Let the solution in each graduated cylinder settle for 5 minutes.
6. Determine the percent suspended solids reduction in each graduated cylinder as follows:
a. Heat/dry one evaporating or drying dish at 103 – 105
°C for 1 hour for each graduated cylinder. Store the dishes in a desiccator until needed (steps b).
b. Weigh a dish out to at least one, and preferably more decimal points. Record this weight on the data sheet.
c. Collect 20 ml from within one of the graduated cylinders at the 1 liter mark and place in a preweighed evaporating or drying dish (from step a). Repeat steps b and c for each of the other graduated cylinders.
d. Evaporate and dry each of the 20 ml samples from step b at 98 °C for at least 1 hour.
e. Cool each dish with sample in a desiccator to balance temperature
f. Weigh each dish with sample. Record this weight on the data sheet.
g. Subtract the weight of the dried dish (from step b) to determine the weight of the solids from the sample. Record this weight on the data sheet.
* These methods follow, with slight modification, those of Standard Methods 2540 B. (1989).
7.
The polymer passes this effectiveness test if it achieves
≥ 95 % reduction of suspended solids. Thus,
≥ 95 % reduction is achieved if the weight of the solids from the sample is ≤ 0.2 mg.
- See PDF for table
- See PDF for table ![PDF](https://docs-preview.legis.wisconsin.gov/assets/image/file_acrobat.gif)
8. A photocopy of the completed data sheet should be sent to the following address for WisDOT review:
New Products Engineer, WisDOT, Technology Advancement, 3502 Kinsman Blvd., Madison, WI 53704.
References:
Owens, D.W., P. Jopke, D.W. Hall, J. Balousek, and A. Roa. 2000.
Soil erosion from two small construction sites, Dane County, Wisconsin. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS-109-00, 4 p.
Standard Methods Committee. 1989. 2540 Solids. In L.S. Clesceri, A. E. Greenberg, and R.R. Trussell, eds., Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 17th Edition. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC. pp. 2-72 - 2-73.
Interim Sediment Control
Water Application of Polymers
STANDPIPE TEST DATA SHEET
Date(s): ___________________
Testing Laboratory:
Analyst(s) Initials:
Polymer Name:
Manufacturer Name:
Which polymer mixture concentration(s) achieved effective (≥ 95%) reduction of suspended solids (i.e. final weight ≤ 0.2 mg solids)?
______________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
Notes/Comments:
Please send a photocopy of this completed data sheet to:
New Products Engineer, WisDOT, Technology Advancement, 3502 Kinsman B
Erosion Control
Land Application of Anionic Polyacrylamide
1050 (07/01)
Department of Natural Resources
Conservation Practice Standard
I. Definition
The land application of products containing watersoluble anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) as temporary soil binding agents to reduce erosion.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this practice is to reduce erosion from wind and water on construction sites and agricultural lands.
III. Conditions Where Practice Applies
This practice is intended for direct soil surface application to sites where the timely establishment of vegetation may not be feasible or where vegetative cover is absent or inadequate. Such areas may include agricultural lands where plant residues are inadequate to protect the soil surface and construction sites where land disturbing activities or winter shutdown prevent establishment or maintenance of a cover crop. This practice is not intended for application to surface waters of the state as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) ch.
NR 102.
IV. Federal, State and Local Laws
Anionic PAM application shall comply with all federal, state, and local laws, rules or regulations governing anionic PAM. The operator is responsible for securing required permits. This standard does not contain the text of the federal, state, or local laws governing anionic PAM.
V. Criteria
A. Toxicity Criteria. Anionic PAM mixtures shall be environmentally benign, harmless to fish, aquatic organisms, wildlife, and plants. Anionic PAM mixtures shall be non-combustible.
1. Cationic PAM shall not be used at any level because its toxicity to aquatic test species occurs at very low concentrations.
2. Anionic PAM mixtures shall have _ .05% free acrylamide monomer by weight as established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
3.
Each manufacturer or supplier shall provide to the WDNR acute toxicity test data from a certified lab, as defined in ch.
NR149 Wis. Adm. Code, for their anionic PAM mixture. Procedures specified in the “State of Wisconsin Aquatic Life Toxicity Testing Methods Manual", WDNR, as referenced in s.
NR 219.04, Wis. Adm. Code shall be used. The WDNR use restriction shall be developed from this data.
4. Users of anionic PAM mixtures shall obtain and follow all Material Safety Data Sheet requirements, manufacturer recommendations, and WDNR use restrictions.
B. Application Criteria
1. The manufacturer or supplier shall provide a product expiration date for anionic PAM mixtures based on product expiration date of PAM in pure form. The manufacturer or supplier shall provide general written application methods, based on site conditions, such as slope and soil type.
2. Application rates shall not exceed manufacturer's written application rate recommendations that shall not exceed the WDNR use restrictions.
3. Maximum application rates, in parts per million (ppm or mg/L or mg/kg), shall be determined by multiplying 1.4 by the number of pounds applied per acre. This number shall be less than or equal to the WDNR use restriction. Higher concentrations of anionic PAM mixtures may actually decrease effectiveness. Repeated applications of anionic PAM mixtures may be applied, if necessary, to ensure adequate effectiveness.
4. The application method shall provide uniform coverage to the target area and avoid drift to non-target areas.
5. The manufacturer or supplier shall provide written instructions to insure proper safety, storage, and mixing of their product.
6. Anionic PAM mixtures shall be used in conjunction with other Best Management Practices (BMPs).
7. When used on bare soil, without seed or mulch, anionic PAM mixtures shall be used on slopes 2.5:1 or flatter.
8. Anionic PAM mixtures shall not be applied to channel bottoms.
9. The applicator of anionic PAM mixture shall document, at the time of application, the following: name of applicator, application rate per acre, date applied, product type, weather conditions during application, and method of application. Copies of this documentation shall be entered into the contractor's monitoring log or project diary and made available upon request.
10. Unused liquid anionic PAM mixtures shall be minimized. Excess material shall not be applied at a rate greater than the maximum application rate. Disposal shall not occur in stormwater conveyance systems (ie. Storm sewer manholes, storm sewer inlets, ditches, and culverts).
C. Product Approval Criteria
1. Toxicity test results shall be reviewed by the WDNR and shall receive a written product use restriction. Toxicity test results shall be submitted to: Water Quality Standards Section, WDNR, 101 South Webster St., P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, as a pre-qualification for field testing.
2. Anionic PAM mixtures shall achieve _ 80% reduction in soil loss as measured by a 1 hour storm duration 2"/hour rainfall simulator test performed in accordance with methods used by Bubenzer and Patterson (1982) as a prequalification for field testing.
3. Performance of anionic PAM mixtures shall be verified and field-tested by the WisDOT or other WisDOT-designated facility.
4.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Erosion Control Storm Water – Product Acceptability List Committee (ECSW), will review and approve products as per the process set forth in WisDOT's PAL.
Only products approved for use in Wisconsin may be used. Copies of the PAL are available off the State DOT web site:
http://www.dot.state.wi.us. Questions may be sent to: New Products Engineer, WisDOT, Technology Advancement, 3502 Kinsman Blvd., Madison, WI 53704.
VI. Considerations
The following are additional recommendations, which may enhance the use of, or avoid problems with the practice.
A. Adding seed to the anionic PAM mixture may provide additional erosion protection beyond the life of the anionic PAM.
B. Mulching is typically needed to protect the seed from the effects of wind and sun. Seed germination is not enhanced or impeded by the anionic PAM mixture.
C. Using a minimum 30 ft setback when applying anionic PAM mixture near surface waters of the state is recommended.
D. Applying anionic PAM mixture to soil may provide benefits of improved water quality, infiltration, soil fertility, and visibility by reducing wind and water erosion.
E. For erosion control, the anionic PAM mixture may be applied upgradient of lands planted in food crops.
F. Application of anionic PAM mixture may be particularly effective in the following situations:
• During rough grading operations
• Phased construction projects
• Stockpiles
• After final grading and before paving or final seeding and planting
• Sites having a winter shutdown
• Agricultural lands where plant residues are inadequate
• Sites receiving final landscaping, but where adequate vegetation cannot be established prior to winter.
G. Application of anionic PAM mixture may not be as effective in the following situations: