Abstract
A procedure of sequential extraction steps proposed by Psenner et al. ( Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl. 70,111–155, 1984; Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 30,98–103, 1988) to quantify ecologically relevant phosphate fractions in lake sediments has been applied to activated sludge from waste treatment plants for biological phosphate removal. By this method, the following phosphate fractions of technological significance may be distinguished: (a) redox-sensitive phosphate, mainly bound to Fe(OH) 3; (b) phosphate adsorbed to surfaces (Al 2O 3), exchangeable against OH −, and alkali-soluble phosphate; (c) phosphate bound to CaCO 3, MgCO 3 and in apatite; and (d) a fraction which hitherto has been designated as “organically bound phosphate”. By means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by inclusion of a hot water extraction step it became evident that fraction (d) mainly contained polyphosphate (PP). In activated sludge samples with phosphate-accumulating bacteria, the PP content amounted to 80 mg/g MLVSS. By combination of the Psenner fractionation and hot water extraction, indications of a significant proportion of PP in lake sediments have also been found.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
