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Overview Go To ACF PAM Web Page

Polyacrylamide (PAM) Soil

Stabilization Polymers

Polyacrylamide (PAM) polymer flocculants

are environmentally safe
safe, water
water-soluble
soluble
products that reduce soil erosion and
turbidity in storm water runoff
runoff.
 The Dirtbag and many other standard sediment control
BMPs work well when soil particles are sand and silt…

When dealing with very fine clay particles that do not settle or
filter well, other treatment options might be needed
The USDA has years of research into PAM

www.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/pampage.shtml
 PAM polymers interact predominantly with the clay and fine
fractions of soils.
soils PAM creates an electro
electro-chemical
chemical reaction
that induces these fine soil particles to cluster together.
Clustered particles are more resistant to erosive forces and
aid in deposition.

One size does not fit all!

Site specific soil analysis to ensure proper selection and maximum performance
of PAM is available. Testing is simple, no charge and only takes a couple of
days, Contact your local ACF representative for details.
 When applied properly up stream from basins and ponds,

Prior to application

After Application

PAM treatment can significantly reduce erosion and aid in

deposition of eroded particles.
 General
Introduction
PAM APS

One form of PAM

powder is specifically
tailored for controlling
soil erosion
erosion.

The powder can be

applied in dry form.
Here is an example of the dry Pam
application directly to the soil.
PAM powder can also be
mixed with sand for dry
applications using basic
equipment.

Soil application prevents particles

from going into suspension.
A PAM emulsion is also specifically tailored for controlling soil
erosion and provides easier and quicker mixing for hydraulic
applications to attain the same results
results.
 PAM powder and/or emulsion application may not always be
100% effective in preventing soil particle movement, especially in
the case of less frequent, more extreme rain events.

PAM is also available as a gel block that

that, when placed within
storm water or construction site runoff, will remove fine particles
and reduce turbidity.
The gel blocks represent the second phase of a conservative “belt
and suspenders” approach to PAM implementation.
The gel blocks can be tied to a stake in an open channel, or…
…tied to and hung from drainage inlet grates…
Gel block tied to grate in

place in drainage pipe

As water flows over the logs, they slowly dissolve, introducing the
PAM into the flowing water.

• Timing
g will be a critical factor in Gel Block effectiveness.
• The test report will indicate which Gel Block to use as well as how long of an
interaction or mixing time is need for the PAM to work .
PAM as an Erosion Prevention BMP
Treated soil particles cluster together at the soil surface so that
when uplift forces are created the larger soil particle clusters are
more resistant erosive forces.
PAM as a Water Quality BMP
Treated soil particles cluster together to aid deposition,
reducing turbidity in outflow from ponds and basins.

Outflow
APS PAM has documentation available upon
request to meet Safety and Compliance
Issues

• Type of Charge
• ANSI/NSF

• EPA Toxicological &

Ecological
g Standards
• OSHA
 PAM Summary

PAM is a cost effective erosion & sediment

control,
t l water
t quality
lit andd water
t quantity
tit BMP

PAM pperformance and safetyy is based upon

p
specific soil and PAM product characteristics

PAM iis nott a stand

t d alone
l BMP but
b t works
k best
b t
when implemented to enhance performance of
a BMP “treatment
“ train”