Introduction to P‐TRAP software for designing phosphorus removal structures

Abstract

AbstractPhosphorus (P) removal structures are a new best management practice for filtering dissolved P in non‐point drainage from legacy P soils through use of P sorption materials (PSMs). Structures must be designed according to characteristics of the site (hydrology and constraints) and PSMs to be utilized, as well as user‐defined goals (P removal, lifetime, and flow rate), making it a cumbersome process. A freely available P Transport Reduction App (P‐TRAP) allows users to quickly produce a custom design or evaluate a hypothetical or existing structure. The software includes a library of P removal flow‐through curves for many different PSMs conducted under various conditions of inflow P concentration and retention time. Design output includes the necessary PSM mass and orientation, pipe requirement, and a table of annual P removal. The software enables conservationists and engineers to quickly compare cost and efficiency among possible designs. Phosphorus Transport Reduction App (P‐Trap) software is used to evaluate and design site‐specific P removal structures based on (a) user inputs regarding site and P sorption material (PSM) characteristics and (b) P removal performance goals.imagePhosphorus Transport Reduction App (P‐Trap) software is used to evaluate and design site‐specific P removal structures based on (a) user inputs regarding site and P sorption material (PSM) characteristics and (b) P removal performance goals.