Phosphorus in the Environment Presented By: Marjana Rudberg and Natalie Kautz

Phosphorus Organic Organic –Bound to plant or animal tissue –Broken down from organic pesticides Inorganic Inorganic –Non-organic phosphorus –Two types: Orthophosphate: “reactive phosphate” Polyphosphate: decomposes to orthophosphate

Sources of Phosphates Fertilizer Runoff Fertilizer Runoff Sewage and Industrial Waste Sewage and Industrial Waste Car Emissions Car Emissions Household Cleaners and Products Household Cleaners and Products Runoff From Garbage Dumps Runoff From Garbage Dumps

Entry Into The Environment

Lifetime In Environment Air: Air: –Relatively harmless oxygen compounds formed within minutes Soil: Soil: –Less harmful compounds formed within a few days –With little oxygen, remains unchanged in deep soil for years Water: Water: –Oxygen: relatively harmless compounds in hours or days –Low oxygen levels: degrades to highly toxic substance phosphine Later evaporates and changed to less harmful compounds

Eutrophication Lake has an overload of nutrients Lake has an overload of nutrients Choke out other species Choke out other species -Algea Blooms * Keep out sunlight * Die use up oxygen

Phosphorous in Lake Erie Declared dead in 1960s Reduction of Phosphorous by 50% Reduction of Phosphorous by 50% The West is stable and on target but Central and East are not. The West is stable and on target but Central and East are not.

Phosphorous in Lake Erie Zebra Mussels found in North America in 1988 Mussels eat plankton and make the water cleaner Mussels eat plankton and make the water cleaner Reduction of desired fish Reduction of desired fish Fear that Increasing the phosphorous levels will increase zebra mussel population not the fish Fear that Increasing the phosphorous levels will increase zebra mussel population not the fish Also Fear that increasing the phosphorous levels will also increase the algae along the shore line Also Fear that increasing the phosphorous levels will also increase the algae along the shore line

Control Standards Factors Factors –Water Movement/Flow –Light –Temperature –Nitrogen Levels –Algae and Plankton Growth General Guidelines General Guidelines –Rivers and Streams μg/L –Lakes 5-50 μg/L

Detection and Treatment Most common detection through spectrometry Most common detection through spectrometry Biological Treatment: Biological Treatment: –Phosphate intake by sludge microorganisms Chemical Treatment: Chemical Treatment: –Metal Salts –Aluminum Sulfate –Ferric Chloride

Control Methods Decrease soil erosion Decrease soil erosion Reduce water runoff from fields Reduce water runoff from fields Use organic fertilizers Use organic fertilizers Proper farming techniques Proper farming techniques

References ATSDR Homepage.. (accessed 12/7/04). ATSDR Homepage.. (accessed 12/7/04). EPA Homepage.. EPA Homepage.. FOCA Homepage.< FOCA Homepage.< Environment/Phosphorus/Effects.htm>. (accessed 12/7/04).