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.
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
DNA : Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid, The orange circle illustrates the phosphorus molecule and the Red Oxygen held by covalent bonding.
DNA : Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid, The orange circle illustrates the phosphorus molecule and the Red Oxygen held by covalent bonding.
5 grams of flake food can increase the organic phosphate level by 0.4 ppm.
Atmosphere – Phosphate absentHydrosphere – Phosphate found in rocks a the base of water bodies esp. oceans, Erosion.Lithosphere – Phosphate present in rocks, it enters soil when animals, green plants die or rocks weatherBiosphere – used to build DNA, RNA & ATP. They feed on by herbivores which are fed on by other carnivores. They all die n replenish the soil with the phosphate they acquired.
Monitoring amount of food feed to fish (Prevention is better than cure)With the Poly-Bio Filter Pad by Poly-Bio-Marine, Inc., water impurities like phosphate, nitrate, copper, silicate, and even ammonia are absorbed. The pads can be regenerated by simple rinsing in saltwater (saltwater use can be regenerated by the reverse, rinsing in freshwater). Simply roll or cut the pad to any shape, place it inside a canister filter or incorporate it into any type filtration system to easily remove troublesome elements in saltwater aquariums.