Phosphates and dissolved oxygen :: essays research papers

Phosphates be present in many internal irrigates, much(prenominal) as lakes and streams. Phosphates are essential to aquatic do growth, but the likes ofwise much inorganic phosphate lav lead to the growth of alga and declarations in an algae bloom. Too much algae quarter cause a decrease in the amount in dissolved atomic number 8 in the wet. Oxygen in water is affected in many opposite ways by phosphatesPhosphorus is usually present in natural waters as phosphate(Mcwelsh and Raintree, 1998). Phosphates are present in fertilizers and laundry detergents and fuck enter the water from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and sewage discharge (Outwater,1996) . Phosphates, like nitrates, are plant nutrients (Phosphates, 1997). When too much phosphate enters a water, plant growth flourishes (Phosphates). Phosphates also stimulate the growth of algae which can result in an algae bloom(World Book Encyclopedia,1999). . Algae blooms are easily accept as layers of green slime , and can eventually cover the waters surface. As the plants and algae grow, they choke out other organisms. These large plant worlds produce atomic number 8 in the upper layers of the water but when the plants die and fall to the bottom, they are decomposed by bacteria which use a lot of the dissolved oxygen in the lower layers (Phosphates). Bodies of water with steep levels of phosphates usually have high biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels due to the bacteria consuming the original plant waste and subsequent low dissolved oxygen levels(Hooper,1998). The profit of large quantities of phosphates to waterways accelerates algae and plant growth in natural waters (Hooper), enhancing eutrophication and depleting the water body of oxygen. This can lead to fish kills and the degradation of home ground with loss Boyington 5 of species. Large mats of algae can form and in severe cases can completely cover small lakes. Dying plants and algae will create phosphates while decaying, as a result, water can become putrid from decaying organic matter (World Book Encyclopedia). When the concentration of phosphates rises higher up 100 mg/liter the coagulation processes in drinking water treatment plants may be adversely affected (World Book Encyclopedia). Manmade sources of phosphate include human sewage, agricultural run-off from crops, sewage from animal feedlots, pulp and motif industry, vegetable and fruit processing, chemical and fertilizer manufacturing, and detergents.Dissolved oxygen is sensation of the best indicators of the health of a water ecosystem. Dissolved oxygen can range from 0-18 parts per million (ppm), but most natural water systems require 5-6 parts per million to support a diverse population (Phosphates).