Potash to Control Mussels: Are We Ready?

Transcription

1 Potash to Control Mussels: Are We Ready? Andrea Kalischuk, Lloyd Healy, Nicole Seitz Vermeer, Ki Au, Barry Olson Alberta Agriculture and Forestry AIPA AGM 2015

2 Why chemical control? Alternative control options will not work in irrigation pipelines. Thermal or vibration treatment Coatings Pipeline Pigging Desiccation (drawdown or turning water off) A chemical applied through a fertigation approach may protect farmers mainlines and sprinkler equipment.

3 Chemical Options There are no chemicals registered for use in Canada. Zequanox (Pseudomonas fluorescens) Copper sulfate or copper algaecides (e.g. bluestone) Potash (potassium chloride) Chlorine (liquid sodium hypochlorite) Mussels can clam up.

4 Coachella Valley Water District, Colorado River Quagga mussels discovered in Lake Mead in 2007, spread to Lake Havasu, and Colorado Aqueduct No mussels have been found in Coachella Canal In 2008, started using chlorine as a preventative measure 4,000 gallons of chlorine daily in Canal (123 miles) District budgeted $1 M for control in 2008 In 2008, charged $3/acre-foot In 2015, charged $5/acre-toot

5 Chemical Characteristics End-use Product Active Ingredient Concentration* Kill Rate, Kill Days* Kill Action Health Impact Biological Impact** Personal Protection Potash Chlorine Potassium Chloride (KCl) Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) K + HClO acid + ClO mg/l 0.3 mg/l 2 days, 100% kill 21 days, 95% kill K + interferes with gill respiration Slight hazard (MSDS) Nontoxic to higher organisms Goggles, gloves, dust masks ClO - suffocates mussel through cell wall Serious hazard (MSDS) Toxic to higher organisms Vapor respirator, face shield, gloves, boots * Glomski 2015 ** Mackie and Claudi 2010

6 Cost Example Cost - Layout Examples - Layout Volume of Pipeline: 3,787 m 3 Inlet Flow Rate: 1.73 m 3 /sec Average Inlet Flow Rate: m 3 /sec Length of Pipe: 15,214 m Irrigated Area = 3,100 ac Assessed Area = 4,719 ac

7 Estimated Costs: Flowing (4719 assessed acres) Potash ($550/tonne) Chlorine ($190 for 210L) Solid form Concentration 100 mg/l Length of time 2 days Ave inlet flow m 3 /sec K + injection rate kg/sec tonne potash/treatment $16,376/treatment $3.47/acre/treatment Liquid form Concentration 0.30 mg/l Length of time 21 days Ave inlet flow m 3 /sec NaClO Injection rate ml/sec 4,128 L/treatment $2,188/treatment $0.46/acre/treatment

8 Estimated Costs: Static 2 Days (4719 assessed acres) Potash Dosage Concentration 100 mg/l Pipeline Volume 3,787 m 3 Amount of K + required 379 kg 0.75 tonne KCl per treatment $550/tonne - $415 per treatment $0.09 per acre per treatment Chemical costs only Attachment occurs within weeks Monthly treatments?

9 Potash (Potassium chloride) Naturally occurring Needed for essential human and plant functions Used as: Agricultural fertilizer (95%) Manufacturing, Anti-ice spraying Suppliers: Potash Corporation Mosaic Agrium* White form is more soluble Precipitates could clog nozzles and coat pipeline

10 Potash Treatment and Effects Potash has been applied in lakes and rivers to control zebra mussels. Millbrook Quarry, Virginia 2002 Sister Grove Creek, Texas 2009 Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba 2013 Christmas Lake and Lake Independence, Minnesota 2014 Treatment was successful. No effects to human health or nontarget species. Native mussels may be at risk. Native mussels in Alberta 13cm

11 Potash and Irrigation In parts of the world, potash is commonly used for fertigation In Alberta: irrigated soils sufficient in K + irrigation water generally has 2 mg/l dissolved K + At the rate required for mussel control (100 mg/l), potash is not expected to have adverse effects on soils or crops. Rate is less than potash concentration in manure application. potatoes and sugar beets require a lot of K +

12 Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), Health Canada Any chemical used to control a pest must be registered with PMRA, prior to use. Registrant: EP Registration Supplier: Agrium Years Pre-submission Consultation - Government of Alberta (EP and AF) - Submitted: Sept. 14, Response: December, 2015 Months Research Authorization - AF - Submitted: Oct. 26, Response: April, 2016

13 Research Objectives: Spring 2016 to Fall 2017 (2 years) Eastern Irrigation District and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry 1. develop and test potash preparation methods and pipeline injection equipment, 2. determine how to ensure a steady concentration of 100 mg/l of potassium (K + ) for a lethal dose in all pipelines, 3. document and assess irrigation of potash-treated water on soil and crop health, and 4. confirm economic costs.

14 Mesocosms to Test Potash Rates Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Alberta Environment and Parks Contained model ecosystem Work with live invasive mussels Looking for funding support to build Research authorization request to be submitted

15 Equipment Design and Testing (~$340,000)

16 We are advancing Stay the course on potash It is relatively safe for agricultural production and aquatic life It has been effective in killing invasive mussels Government of Alberta has started the registration process Continue to explore other options

17 Thank You! Partners: Irrigation District managers Alberta Irrigation Projects Association Environment and Parks Alberta Innovates Technology Futures