Phosphate In Groundwater And Surface Water: A Rapid And Reliable Determination Method Using The Photometric Spectroquant® Test

By Katrin Schwind, Scientist Associate, Analytical Point-of-Use R&D, Gunter Decker, Senior Global Product Manager, Analytical Point-of-Use Analytics | Photometry

Originally published in Supelco®'s Analytix Reporter Journal Issue 1 2018 by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Visit SigmaAldrich.com/ar-reg

Phosphate in Surface Water​

Phosphorus is an essential element for organisms and plants. In natural, uncontaminated waters, it occurs as organically bound phosphate, condensed phosphates or as orthophosphate - often referred to by its chemical formula PO₄-P. The small quantity of phosphorus present in natural waters does not promote the growth of plants. However, a rise in the concentration of phosphorus results in the proliferation of algae, which leads to the eutrophication of the water body.