A phosphate (PO43−) as an inorganic chemical is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid.
Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in agriculture and industry.[2]
At elevated temperatures in the solid state, phosphates can condense to form pyrophosphates.
Sulfites or sulphites are compounds that contain the sulfite ion SO32−. The sulfite ion is the conjugate base of bisulfite. Although its acid (sulfurous acid) is elusive,[1] its salts are widely used.
Nitrate is a polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO3− and a molecular mass of 62.0049 g/mol. Nitrates also describe the organic functional group RONO2. .
How are these organic and non organic compounds affiliated with pool water. How do invade our backyard and our water recreational environment.
- Phosphates are the main ingredient in lawn and plant garden fertilizers,
- Decaying vegetation i.e. tree leaves, lawn clippings, bark, twigs
- Most Municipal water districts use phosphates in their process
- Farming, the spraying of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers
As in the case of phosphates they are continuously being introduced into your pool water (whether you have a pool cover or not) via some of the following ways
- Since they are commonly found in lawn and garden fertilizers from the run off of the lawn / garden sprinkler.
- Fresh water from your pool leveler, fresh make up water.
- The wind blowing dirt, leaves, twigs into your pool.
Why can Nitrates and Phosphates be a problem in pool water?
Elevated levels of nitrates and phosphates can become a problem in your pool water. Phosphates and Nitrates are known plant nutrients and known pollutants. Algae loves both nitrates and phosphates. The two of them work together, and both must be present for the algae to feed. At the same time, when the nitrogen combines with the oxygen from the chlorine it causes a chlorine demand and you will have a hard time maintaining a Free Chlorine level. With this excessive chlorine consumption, the algae will bloom and your water quality will be poor.
- Algae reproduction depends completely on the presence of five key things:
- Sun 2. Air 3. Water 4. Nitrates 5. Phosphates
Phosphates are compounds of the nonmetallic element phosphorous and are a primary food source for aquatic plants, including all types of algae. Phosphate compounds are inevitably broken down into their simplest form
- Oxidation (converting compounds into oxides)
- Hydrolysis (decomposition by water)
- Hydrolysis (decomposition by water)
Regardless of how it happens, if phosphates are allowed to remain present in pool, spa, or pond water, they will be reduced to orthophosphates, which are the only form of phosphates that algae can digest.
Orthophosphate levels should remain below 100-125 ppb (parts per billion). Once levels exceed 200 ppb, algae becomes increasingly resistant to sanitizers, including chlorine shock. Excessive levels of orthophosphate, such as 1,000 ppb or more, should be brought under control with Orenda Phosphate Remover.