Journal of Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers ISSN:1738-3692(Print) 2093-7709(Online) 한국농공학회논문집

We investigated the applicability of steel slag as a capping material in order to minimize phosphorus(P) release into seawater. Steel slag is a byproduct from the iron and steel industries and the use of steel slag has some advantages in respect of both cost and environmental concern. P removal by steel slag were studied in a batch system with respect to changes in contact time and initial concentration. Kinetic adsorption data were described well by pseudo 2nd order model, indicating rate limiting step for P adsorption to steel slag is chemical sorption. Equilibrium adsorption data fitted well to Langmuir isotherm model which describes for single layer adsorption. The maximum P adsorption capacity of steel slag was 7.134 mg-P/L. Increasing the depth of steel slag produced a positive effect on interruption of P release. More than 3 cm of steel slag was effective for blocking P release and 5 cm of steel slag was recommended as the depth for capping of P contaminated marine sediments. Increasing P concentration and flow rate had a negative effect on P removal ratio. It was concluded that the steel slag has a potential capping material for blocking P release from marine sediments.