UEI+project





UEI PROJECT

//Julio Velasquez, Luisa Caridad, Anais Cruz//

INTRO- In this experiment, we will analyze a series of natural water samples for their phosphate content. Detergents are among the greatest contributors to phosphate content in rivers and lakes because phosphate containing compounds are used in detergent formulation as water softeners (builders). Phosphate is not toxic to animals or plants. 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 below 0.1 mg phosphorus per liter.

DEFENITION:
 * A phosphate, an** **inorganic chemical****, is a** **salt** **of** **phosphoric acid****. Inorganic phosphates are** **mined** **to obtain** **phosphorus** **for use in agriculture and industry. In** **organic chemistry****, a phosphate, or** **organophosphate****, is an** **ester** **of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in** **biochemistry****.**

School:BFA Group Project Date:5/13 Sampling time: 2:07pm City: Boston Country: MA Weather: Partly cloudly Rain in last 24 hours: Yes Wind: Light
 * KEY QUESTION:**


 * PHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS:**

COLOR: Clear ODOR: None SURFACE: Nothing WAVES: Ripples

Possible Water Quality Tests: Air Temperature....21.8'C Water Temperature....19.5'C Phosphate....7.05ppm

We observed the air temperature and water temperature weekly. We observed that the temperatures have a great affect on the phosphate and also the weather can change the phosphate from time to time.