Is polyacrylamide toxic to aquatic life?

Addition of anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) to agricultural irrigation water can dramatically reduce erosion of soils. However, the toxicity of PAM to aquatic life, while often claimed to be low, has not been thoroughly evaluated.

What is ionic polyacrylamide (PAM)?

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

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).

Are anionic high molecular weight polymers good for erosion control?

Nonetheless, many of the general principles are worth noting as a framework for understanding the behavior of anionic high molecular weight PAMs, the dominant class of polymers for erosion control and infiltration management in agriculture.

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.

What is the adsorption of anionic Pams and polysaccharides in water?

Aly and Letey (1988) found that adsorption of anionic PAMs and polysaccharides in water of electrical conductivity (EC) 0.7 dS m −1 was greater than for water of EC 0.05 dS m −1.