Phosphates


 * [[image:pic.jpg width="394" height="408" align="right" caption="Casey and Kate taking top and bottom Phosphate samples"]]PHOSPHATES**

One Van Doren bottle Two collection bottles One boat Two life jackets One spectrometer Two Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Accu Vac ampules One zeroing vile (Blank) Two 100mL beakers**
 * Materials:

1. Row to the middle of the marsh with the needed supplies on board. 2. Make sure that the Van Doren bottle is locked in position with the chains hooked on the nails. 3. Drop the Van Doren bottle until it hits the bottom. Then release the chaser or weight. This will give you the bottom sample. 4. Pull the device up to the surface of the water and pour the sample into the collection bottle. 5. Fill the second collection bottle with a top sample.
 * Procedure at the Site:

Procedure in the Lab: 1. On the Mini Spec 20 press 4 9 2 and then press Read/Enter. 2. Rotate the wavelength dial until the display shows 890 nm. Press Read/Enter. 3. Fill the blank with 10 mL of the bottom sample. 4. Fill the Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Accu Vac ampule with the sample. 5. Shake the ampule for approximately 30 seconds. 6. On the Mini Spec 20, press Shift and then Timer. 7. When the timer beeps place the blank into the cell holder. 8. Press Zero. 9. Place the Accu Vac ampule into the cell holder. 10. Press Read/Enter. Record the results of the Phosphates test in mg/L. 11. Repeat for the top sample.**

Phosphate is an essential nutrient for the growth and functions of all forms of life and occurs naturally at low concentrations. It originates from the decay of human sewage and fecal matter from feedlots. It is also present in detergents. Although Phosphorous is an essential nutrient, it can also be a limiting factor. When there is too much phosphorous present in a pond, an algal bloom can occur, and this in turn decreases the amount of oxygen in the pond. This is because when the algae dies, decomposers use large amounts of oxygen while they work. Phosphates are helpful to test for in a freshwater ecosystem because they can help us determine diversity (the more phosphates, the less oxygen, and less diversity) and can lead us in the right direction when determining the source of irregular results within a watershed.
 * Significance:

Typical Results: Hoit Road Marsh Top and Bottom: .01 mg/L**