Hydrolysis of Condensed Phosphates in Lake Water and Wastewater

Abstract

<p> Nutrient enrichment through pollution causes intense aquatic growth in many of our lakes, which results in their deterioration for man's use. Phosphorus is suspected as possibly the most important element in this problem since it often is the limiting nutrient for growth. Condensed phosphates from detergents in wastewater are a major supply of phosphorus to surface waters. They hydrolyze to orthophosphate, the form most readily available to plants and organisms. The removal of phosphorus in treatment plants has therefore been suggested. </p> <p> The chemical industry has carried our many studies on the rate of hydrolysis of condensed phosphate in distilled water. However few investigations have been made on this effect in natural water and wastewater. This work concentrates on studies on the rate of hydrolysis of condensed phosphates in wastewater and lake water under conditions of temperature, pH and concentration levels actually occurring in the environment. </p>