Phosphates

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Phosphates

• By Brice Baricevic, Brendan Burke, and Kyle
  Chatham

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Introduction

• Phosphates are a key building block for many
  intracellular compounds
• Too much phosphate can cause eutrophication
• Chemical energy (ATP) is derived from phosphate

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Chemical Explanation

• Phosphate is a salt of phosphoric acid
• Phosphate is a component of ATP
• Basic source of energy for all cellular work
• Boosts aquatic systems

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Expectations

• Expect Mg/L of phosphate to be less than one
• No lower than .7
• Expect wetlands to be most bountiful
• Creek will be less bountiful.

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Past Data in Mg/L
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Data from EPA
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Methodology (revised)

• Fill a test tube with 5mL of water.
• Put a phosphate tab into the water
• Shake until dissolves
• Record the color change
• Record in Mg/L (ppm)
• Dilute if needed

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Dilution Technique
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Safety and Equipment

• Goggles!
• Test Tube(s)
• Water
• Phosphate Tab
• Color Chart
• Pipette

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Concerns for Reliability of Data

• Redo to the test
• Record data
• Compare color changes
• Compare to other group data

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Quiz!

• What is a phosphate?
• What does ATP stand for?
• What are phosphates measured in?
• How do you dilute?
• What is eutrophication?