Phosphorus

Phosphorus (P)

1. Basic Information

2. Physical and Chemical Properties

Phosphorus is a multivalent non-metallic element belonging to the nitrogen group. In nature, phosphorus is found in several allotropic forms, with white, red, and black colors. White phosphorus is highly reactive, glows in the dark, and spontaneously combusts easily when exposed to air. Red phosphorus is more stable and commonly used in industry. In water, phosphorus is generally found in the form of phosphate (PO₄³-).

3. Presence in Water and Health Effects

Phosphorus is naturally present in water in the form of phosphate. Its concentration may increase due to human activities such as the use of phosphate fertilizers and detergents. While phosphorus is essential for the human body, excess phosphate in water can lead to eutrophication and excessive algae growth. Long-term consumption of water with high phosphate levels can potentially lead to kidney disorders and osteoporosis.

4. Water Treatment Applications and Removal Methods

Phosphorus removal from water involves several methods:

• Chemical precipitation: Using aluminum or iron salts to precipitate phosphate.

• Ion exchange: Using specialized anion exchange resins to bind phosphates.

• Adsorption: Using adsorbent media such as activated alumina.

• Biological treatment: Utilizes microorganisms to absorb phosphate.

• Membrane filtration: Technologies such as nanofiltration can remove phosphates.

The choice of method depends on the phosphate concentration, the volume of water being treated, and the desired quality standard.

5. Industrial Use in Water Treatment

In the water treatment industry, phosphorus compounds are used as:

• Corrosion inhibitors in cooling systems and boilers.

• Chelating agents to control water hardness.

• Additives in wastewater treatment to enhance biological processes.

6. Case Studies and Real-World Applications

Examples of large-scale application of phosphorus removal:

• Lake Erie, United States: Phosphate reduction program successfully reduced eutrophication and improved lake water quality.

• Pieksamäki Wastewater Treatment Plant, Finland: Used biofilter technology to remove 95% of phosphorus from wastewater.

• River Thames, UK: Implementation of phosphate regulation on detergents and improved wastewater treatment reduced phosphorus levels in the river by 70%.

7. Regulatory Guidelines and Standards

The maximum limit of phosphorus in drinking water according to WHO is 5 mg/L. In Indonesia, Permenkes No. 492 Year 2010 does not set a specific limit for phosphorus in drinking water, but for wastewater, Permen LHK No. P.68 Year 2016 sets a maximum limit of total phosphorus at 2 mg/L for several types of industries.

8. Environmental Impacts and Sustainability Considerations

Excess phosphorus in waters can cause:

• Eutrophication: Excessive algae growth that reduces dissolved oxygen.

• Decrease in aquatic biodiversity.

• Changes in aquatic ecosystems.

Sustainable measures include:

• Use of phosphate-free detergents.

• Better fertilizer management in the agricultural sector.

• Recycling phosphorus from waste for reuse.

9. Future Trends and Research

Some current research and development directions:

• Phosphorus recovery technology from wastewater for reuse as fertilizer.

• Development of biosensors for faster and more accurate phosphate detection.

• Utilization of nanomaterials for more efficient phosphate adsorption.

• Integration of phosphorus treatment system with bioenergy production.

10. Interesting Facts related to Water Treatment

• Phosphorus is a finite resource and is expected to be depleted in the next 50-100 years, driving the importance of recycling phosphorus from wastewater.

• Some aquatic organisms such as duckweed can be used as "natural water treatment plants" to remove excess phosphate from water.

• "Struvite crystallization" technology enables the recovery of phosphorus from wastewater in the form of crystals that can be used directly as fertilizer.

• Recent research shows the potential of using magnetite nanoparticles to remove phosphate from water with high efficiency.