What is ionic polyacrylamide (PAM)?

Anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) has been sold since 1995 to reduce irrigation‐induced erosion and enhance infiltration.

Is polyacrylic acid a product of Pam degradation?

Hayashi et al. (1994) suggested that the simple compound polyacrylic acid might be another product of PAM degradation under some conditions, which can also be metabolized by microorganisms.

Does polyacrylamide reduce sediment in irrigation?

PAM, used following NRCS guidelines (Interim conservation practice standard—irrigation erosion control (polyacrylamide), 1995, Anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) erosion control (Acre)‐code 450 USDA‐NRCS, NHCP, 2001), reduced sediment in runoff 94% in 3 years of furrow irrigation studies in Idaho (Lentz and Sojka, 1994).

Do polyacrylamide applications affect infiltration and runoff under simulated rainfall?

Tümsavas, Z.; Kara, A. The effect of polyacrylamide (PAM) applications on infiltration, runoff and soil losses under simulated rainfall conditions. Afr.

How effective is Pam for erosion control?

PAM used for erosion control is a large (12–15 Mg mol −1) water‐soluble (non‐cross‐linked) anionic molecule, containing <0.05% acrylamide monomer. In a series of field studies, PAM eliminated 80–99% (94% avg.) of sediment in runoff from furrow irrigation, with a 15–50% infiltration increase compared to controls on medium to fine‐textured soils.

Does Pam reduce turbidity and erosion?

Adding PAM to an established flow reduces turbidity and erosion, but can be less durable and usually loses the infiltration‐enhancing effect because PAM stabilizes the soil surface structure it encounters, but cannot create structure (other than the formation of flocs as PAM clarifies initially turbid water).