Phosphorus Recovery from Freshwater System Using a Novel Hydrogel-Based Material
Faculty Mentor
Rocio L. Perez, Francisco Cubas
Location
Russell Union 2080
Type of Research
On-going
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering & Computing
Department
Department of Civil Engineering & Construction
Abstract
As global phosphate reserves continue to decline, the recovery of phosphorus from freshwater systems has become increasingly vital for protecting water quality while advancing circular nutrient management strategies. This study evaluates a novel hydrogel bead platform engineered for the simultaneous removal and recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from freshwater matrices. The hydrogel system consists of a biopolymer network integrated with a green solvent component selected to enhance ion transport, adsorption performance, and structural integrity under aqueous conditions. By modifying internal physicochemical interactions within the three-dimensional matrix, the solvent component promotes controlled nutrient diffusion and targeted capture while maintaining environmental compatibility. Batch reactor experiments were performed using a constant hydrogel-to-water volume ratio and four distinct bead formulations combining solvent-modified biopolymers with iron oxides to assess nutrient uptake capacity, alongside a control reactor without hydrogel beads. All bead types demonstrated effective removal of ammonia, nitrate, and orthophosphate from solution. Iron oxide-containing beads achieved the most efficient phosphorus removal through enhanced iron–phosphate affinity, with concentrations decreasing to near 0 mg/L within the first week. Nitrogen species followed similar trends, with ammonia declining from 2.59 mg/L to 0.05 mg/L and nitrate from 3.23 mg/L to 0.34 mg/L in biopolymer-based beads over the same period, after which concentrations stabilized for the remainder of the experiment. Ongoing work systematically varies solvent composition and hydrogel ratios to refine nutrient selectivity and recovery efficiency, supporting optimization of this scalable hydrogel system for sustainable freshwater nutrient management applications.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 10:15 AM
End Date
4-23-2026 10:30 AM
Recommended Citation
Farnaz, Tasnuva, "Phosphorus Recovery from Freshwater System Using a Novel Hydrogel-Based Material" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 100.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/100
Phosphorus Recovery from Freshwater System Using a Novel Hydrogel-Based Material
Russell Union 2080
As global phosphate reserves continue to decline, the recovery of phosphorus from freshwater systems has become increasingly vital for protecting water quality while advancing circular nutrient management strategies. This study evaluates a novel hydrogel bead platform engineered for the simultaneous removal and recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from freshwater matrices. The hydrogel system consists of a biopolymer network integrated with a green solvent component selected to enhance ion transport, adsorption performance, and structural integrity under aqueous conditions. By modifying internal physicochemical interactions within the three-dimensional matrix, the solvent component promotes controlled nutrient diffusion and targeted capture while maintaining environmental compatibility. Batch reactor experiments were performed using a constant hydrogel-to-water volume ratio and four distinct bead formulations combining solvent-modified biopolymers with iron oxides to assess nutrient uptake capacity, alongside a control reactor without hydrogel beads. All bead types demonstrated effective removal of ammonia, nitrate, and orthophosphate from solution. Iron oxide-containing beads achieved the most efficient phosphorus removal through enhanced iron–phosphate affinity, with concentrations decreasing to near 0 mg/L within the first week. Nitrogen species followed similar trends, with ammonia declining from 2.59 mg/L to 0.05 mg/L and nitrate from 3.23 mg/L to 0.34 mg/L in biopolymer-based beads over the same period, after which concentrations stabilized for the remainder of the experiment. Ongoing work systematically varies solvent composition and hydrogel ratios to refine nutrient selectivity and recovery efficiency, supporting optimization of this scalable hydrogel system for sustainable freshwater nutrient management applications.
