Phoslock Frequently Asked Questions

What is Phoslock?

Phoslock is a modified clay product which removes soluble phosphorus from all kinds of water bodies including fresh, brackish and saline water. Removal of phosphorus reduces the ‘eutrophication’ commonly shown by algal blooms in water.

What is Eutrophication?

Eutrophication means nutrient rich – usually referring to the presence of excess phosphorus and nitrogen. Controlling the phosphorus level provides an easy cost effective way of making water bodies clean.

Apart from algal blooms, eutrophication can lead to fish kills with loss of other aquatic life, it can kill animals that drink the water

How was Phoslock developed?

Phoslock was developed in Australia by scientists at the Federal Government owned CSIRO and funded jointly by the Western Australian State Government's Water and Rivers Commission and the Swan River Trust. The research was initiated in late 1994 to remediate the Swan andCanning Rivers by reducing the level of phosphorus.

What is Phoslock made from?

Phoslock is made from naturally occurring products. The manufacturing process involves mixing in water a naturally occurring clay (bentonite) with a rare earth (lanthanum). The lanthanum is absorbed into sites within the bentonite and becomes the active element to remove phosphorus.

Is Phoslock environmentally safe?

Yes. Phoslock has been the subject of extensive ecotoxicity and other testing in a number of countries including Australia, USA, China and New Zealand. The most recent tests were conducted in NZ on algae, juvenile fish (rainbow trout) and water fleas (crustacea). These are known to be very sensitive indicators of contamination or pollution. These tests demonstrated that Phoslock under NZ ERMA guidelines showed that the risk to these is so very low that Phoslock is regarded as ‘non-toxic’.

Where is Phoslock being used and in what applications?

Phoslock is being used in Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Taiwan, China, Korea, and the Netherlands. It will soon be used in South Africa and India. Types of water bodies being treated include large lakes, sewage treatment ponds, agricultural waste holding ponds, golf course ponds, municipal ponds, ornamental lakes in universities, office parks, industrial pits, prawn farms and constructed wetlands.

What regulatory approvals have been obtained?

Registration for Phoslock has been obtained under the National Industrial Chemical Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) for commercial use in water treatment in Australia. Approvals have also been obtained in USA, UK, Europe, New Zealand and China.