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Importance
of Phosphates
Reprinted with permission from
the Natural Chemistry website |
Phosphates are salts of
phosphoric acid. Phosphoric Acid (H3P04) is the acid produced when phosphorus is dissolved in
water. Phosphates, which contain phosphorus, are plant nutrients
that can also be a pollutant. Phosphates in water contribute to
algae blooms in the same way nitrates do. In fact, phosphorus is
often the "missing ingredient" limiting the growth of algae.
Two other nutrients required
by algae for cell division and growth are nitrogen and carbon
dioxide, both of which are generally in ready supply. Phosphorus in
the soluble orthophosphate form is utilized and taken up by plants
for growth. Increasing concentrations of available phosphorus allow
plants to assimilate more nitrogen before the phosphorus is
depleted. Thus if sufficient phosphorus is available, normal to
elevated concentrations of nitrates will lead to an algae bloom.
Sources of Phosphates in pool water:
~ Pool Chemicals containing
Phosphoric ~ Personal hygiene products
acid and Phosphonates,
including ~ Body fluids & waste
most metal removers,
sequestering ~ Fertilizers
agents ~ Rainwater
~ Plant debris ~ Soil
~ Fill water ~ Soaps &
Detergents
Studies have proven
conclusively that phosphates are the limiting nutrient for algae
growth.
The greater amount of
phosphate present in water, the greater amount of inhibitory product
ie: sanitizer and / or algaecide is necessary to prevent algae
growth. The amount of phosphate present in a body of water will also
determine how much algae can be grown. The greater amount of
phosphate, the greater the potential for algae growth and severity
of the bloom.
A congressional study in the
United States reported that "the soundest preventative and
restorative approach to correct the root cause [of algae growth] is
to curb the input of one elected nutrient, namely phosphates."
Consequently, governments have banned or limited the use of
phosphates in such products as laundry detergents and soaps to
prevent un-natural algae growth in lakes and rivers.
PHOSfree
can reduce
phosphate levels in pool water easily and effectively to near zero
without disturbing the appropriate chemical balance in pool water.
At these levels, the nutrientstarved algae is easily controlled with
normal sanitization.
Phosfree reduces phosphoric
levels in pools to near zero. Normal sanitizer levels prevent algae
from growing. Guaranteed.
It is important to remember
that phosphate remover is not an algaecide or algastat.
PHOSfree
will not kill algae; proper sanitization with normal chemical levels
is absolutely necessary in maintaining a safe algae-free pool.
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