Analysis of Phosphate in Water Introduction: Phosphates are among the greatest contributors to phosphate content in lakes and rivers

because phosphate containing compounds in the past have been used in detergent formulations as water softeners. Phosphate is not toxic to plants or animals. In fact, it is a plant nutrient which stimulates the growth of aquatic weeds and algae. This may cause lakes and rivers to become clogged and overrun with plants. The principle of this method involves the formation of molybdophosphoric acid, which is reduced to the intensely colored complex, molybdenum blue. This analytical method is extremely sensitive and is reliable down to concentrations of .!mg of phosphorus per liter of water. "pparatus: The #pectronic $ will be employed in the measurement of color intensity of the blue solutions. " wavelength of %& nm will be used for the analysis. 'eagents: a. "mmonium molybdate reagent b. #tannous chloride reagent c. $ mg() stock phosphate solution Procedure: *ote: +lassware should be washed thoroughly with hot water followed by rinsing with distilled water. ,o not use phosphate containing detergents to clean equipment for this experiment. Preparation of #tandard #olutions: Prepare a & point calibration curve with concentrations ranging from - &mg() Phosphate .including blank/ from the provided stock standard solution. The standard solutions and the blank will now be treated according to the following 0color development1 procedure. "fter measuring the absorbances of these solutions , make a plot of absorbance versus concentration. . 2olor ,evelopment in #ample 3ollow this procedure for your standard solutions, your blank, and your water samples. Place in an 4rlenmeyer flask $&m) .measured with a volumetric pipet/ of the water sample to be analy5ed. Put !. m) .with a pipet/ of ammonium molybdate solution into a flask and swirl to mix. 6efore proceeding make sure you are familiar with the use of the #pec $ . *ext, to the flask add two drops of stannous chloride solution and mix by swirling. If phosphate is present, a blue color will develop in a maximum of five minutes. *ote: The time period is somewhat critical. 7easurements should be taken anywhere from & to !& minutes after addition of stannous chloride.

8hile you are waiting for the blue color to develop, set the wavelength to %& nm. 9se the blank to set the 5ero absorbance. 9sing the %& nm wavelength, measure the absorbance of the blue sample. 8aste disposal: "ll solutions may be dumped down the drain.