Suppression of phosphate release from coastal sediments using granulated coal ash

Abstract In order to evaluate suppression of phosphate release from sea bottom sediments using granulated coal ash (GCA), a byproduct from coal thermal electric power stations, field experiments were carried out at oyster culture sites where the sediments are rich in organic matter. Two types of GCA with the diameter of −3  d −1 ) than that in the control site (4800 μmol m −3  d −1 ), whereas decomposition of detrital phosphorus in the experimental site was estimated to have been enhanced 4.8 times compared to the control site. Considering both laboratory and simulated field experiments carried out previously, it was proven in the present study that GCA can effectively adsorb phosphate from interstitial water in organically enriched sediments and suppress the release of phosphate from the sediments to the upper water column in the field experiments.