OBJECTIVE:

To determine the phosphorus content in the give water sample.

INTRODUCTION:
Both phosphorus and nitrogen are essential nutrients for the plants and animals that
make up the aquatic food web. Since phosphorus is the nutrient in short supply in most fresh
waters, even a modest increase in phosphorus can, under the right conditions, set off a whole
chain of undesirable events in a stream including accelerated plant growth, algae blooms, low
dissolved oxygen, and the death of certain fish, invertebrates, and other aquatic animals.
There are many sources of phosphorus, both natural and human. These include soil
and rocks, wastewater treatment plants, runoff from fertilized lawns and cropland, failing
septic systems, runoff from animal manure storage areas, disturbed land areas, drained
wetlands, water treatment, and commercial cleaning preparations.
The term "orthophosphate" is a chemistry-based term that refers to the phosphate
molecule all by itself. "Reactive phosphorus" is a corresponding method-based term that
describes what you are actually measuring when you perform the test for orthophosphate.
Because the lab procedure isn't quite perfect, you get mostly orthophosphate but you also get
a small fraction of some other forms. Orthophosphates are the inorganic forms of phosphate,
such as PO43-, HPO42-, and H2PO4- . These are the forms of phosphates used heavily in
fertilizers and are often introduced to surface waters through runoff.

CHEMICALS:
Wastewaster sample
Distilled water
PhosVer 3 Phosphate Powder Pillow

APPARATUS:
Pipette
Beaker
Dilution vial

RESULT:

1st reading (mg/L)

2nd reading (mg/L)
Average reading
(mg/L)

Blank
0.00
0.00

Sample
2.00
2.19

Standard
1.00
1.10

0.00

2.10

1.05

DISCUSSION:
There are many sources of phosphorus, both natural and human. These include soil
and rocks, wastewater treatment plants, runoff from fertilized lawns and cropland, failing
septic systems, runoff from animal manure storage areas, disturbed land areas, drained
wetlands, water treatment, and commercial cleaning preparations.

The EPA-approved method for measuring total orthophosphate is known as the

ascorbic acid method. Briefly, a reagent (either liquid or powder) containing ascorbic acid
and ammonium molybdate reacts with orthophosphate in the sample to form a blue
compound. The intensity of the blue color is directly proportional to the amount of
orthophosphate in the water.
Some precaution should be practice throughout the experiment. When doing the
experiment, make sure wear gloves, lab coat and covered shoes. Filter the wastewater sample
to remove larger particles which may cause interference during reading the phosphorus
content. Pipette accurately blank, sample and standard so that the reading of the phosphorus
content would be more preferable and accurate. Wash the vial thoroughly for the residue
content in the vial may affect the reading of the blank, sample and standard. Calibrate the
micropipette before using it. Cape tightly and wipe the vial clearly before inserting it into the
instrument. Make constant of the count of inverting the vials for blank, sample and standard.
Make sure all the content of the PhosVer 3 Phosphate Powder Pillow added fully into the vial.
Discard all the waste into the waste bottle. Do not make skin contact with the PhosVer 3
Phosphate Powder Pillow for it may cause eye burns and irritation.

CONCLUSION:
The phosphorus content in the give water sample was 0.25 mg/L.The range of phosposrus
should be in 0.02 to 1.60 mg/L.