The presentation gives a description on phosphate a water quality parameter and the relationship between phosphate and other water parameters.

1. Phosphate as A Water
Parameter
GROUP FIVE (5)

2. PHOSPHATES (PO4-3)
• All living organism contain phosphorus.
Phosphorus is an important element of live as a
component for cell membranes, as an energy
source, and for other bio-chemical processes.
• Phosphate formation arise from a combination of
this Phosphorus and Oxygen
• i.e. P + 4O PO4-3
• It is the backbone of Adenosine Tri-phosphate, or
ATP, which is the very basic source of energy for
all cellular work and a Chief component DNA our
Identity

3. PHOSPHATES (PO4-3) cont.
Phosphates exist in Three (3) forms
 Orthophosphate
 Metaphosphate (Polyphosphate)
 Organically Bound Phosphate
Sources Of Phosphate In Water
• Cultural Practices in agriculture (Fertilizers,
Pesticides application)
• Natural sources ( Weathering of rocks containing
phosphorus
• Decay of residual feed substances fed to fish
• Dead fish, fecal matter of fish, dying algae.

4. Phosphorus Cycle

5. PHOSPHATES (PO4-3) cont.
Test for Phosphate
• To test for the presence of phosphate you will
use the cube kit that measures the most common
form, orthophosphate or the color disk that
determines orthophosphate and polyphosphate.
A total phosphate kit measures all the three
types.
• When test result shows levels of 1.0 ppm the
condition become favorable for algae growth to
start, at 2-3 ppm algae overgrowth rate is likely to
occur.
• Ideal phosphate levels are 0.05 ppm or less.

6. PHOSPHATES (PO4-3) cont.
Phosphate levels and its effects
Total Phosphate Effects
0.025 - 0.1 mg/L level at which plant growth is
stimulated
0.1 mg/L - maximum acceptable to avoid
accelerated eutrophication
> 0.1 mg/L accelerated growth and
consequent problems

7. PHOSPHATES (PO4-3) cont.
Effects of Phosphate On Aquatic Life
Phosphate stimulate the growth of phytoplankton
and aquatic plants which provide food for larger
organisms, including: zooplankton, fish, and other
living aquatic organisms.
Plankton represent the base of the food
chain. Initially this increased productivity will cause
an increase in the fish population and overall
biological diversity of the system.
Eutrophication (from the Greek - meaning "well
nourished") is enhanced production of primary
producers . This reduce stability of the ecosystem.

8. PHOSPHATES (PO4-3) cont.
Relationship between phosphate and other water
parameters.
 Increasing Phosphate reduces dissolve Oxygen
content.
 Rate of increase of Phosphate is directly
proportional to turbidity.
 Increasing amount of phosphates reduces pH
making water more acidic.
 Rate of increase in Phosphate is directly
proportional to ammonia

9. PHOSPHATES (PO4-3) cont.
How to Regulate Phosphate Levels in Ponds
 Addition of Alkaline earth metal (Be, Mg, Ca) to
Precipitate the phosphate i.e.
10 Ca2+ + 6 PO43- + 2 OH↔ Ca10(PO4)*6(OH)2
 Repetitive water changes
 Addition of Chemicals e.g. Phosguard, Phos-zorb,
etc.
 The use of Poly – filter pads
 Tank cleaning

10. REFRENCE
http://www.water-
research.net/Watershed/phosphates.htm 4th March 4,
2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphate 4th March 4,
2012
http://www.stevenswater.com/articles/waterparamete
rs.aspx 3th March , 2012
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water_quality/qual
ity1/1-what-nitrate-and-phosphate-do.htm
7th March , 2012
http://www.indigo.com/test-strips/gph-test-
strips/phosphate-test-strips.html 6th march, 2012

11. Thank
You