Effects of Phosphate

and Nitrate on Pond

Water
By Claudia Phillips
September 6, 2014
Block Two

INTRODUCTION

This lab was designed to study and observe the effects of phosphate and nitrate applied to
pond water (1). Phosphorous, commonly used in fertilizers, is a necessary and vital element for
life but can enhance the effects of eutrophication (the over-enrichment of nutrients in water) (2).
Nitrate is a common source of food for most algae, but too much can make living conditions in
water harsh (3). They are both common pollutants found in fresh water systems throughout the
world.
The labs main objective was to analyze how the two compounds physically affect fresh
water. Through a daily detailed analysis and recording of data, my group and I modeled the
large-scale effects that pollutants such as phosphate and nitrate can have on fresh water systems.
The lab was designed to test the hypothesis that if nitrate and phosphate were applied to
pond water repetitiously over the course of 10 days, then the phosphate would kill off any algae
or bacteria growing and the nitrate would enhance and feed it. Recalling that phosphorous is used
in fertilizers and manure, and knowing that it is a pollutant, I surmised that the compound would
have a negative effect on the pond water. Nitrate, also used in fertilizers, is also found in private
and public water and is regulated by the EPA (4). Drawing from this, and knowing that algae
feed on nitrate, I predicted that the algae would grow due to its excess in food supply.
METHODOLOGY
The methods followed in this lab are outlined in Lab-Aids #20 Pollutant Effects of
Phosphates and Nitrates (5). My group and I filled 7 containers with pond water and throughout
the course of 8 days, applied a consistent amount of phosphate, nitrate, and phosphate and nitrate
solution to the cups (Table 1).
Cup #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Solution
None - Control
9 drops phosphate solution
18 drops phosphate solution
9 drops nitrate solution
18 drops nitrate solution
9 drops phosphate and nitrate solution
18 drops phosphate and nitrate solution

Table 1 Drops of each solution added per day per cup

Every day after adding the drops, we monitored the cups and recorded our observations
into a data table. After we were finished each day, we placed a white paper towel across all cups
and placed it under a heating lamp to be turned on until it was time again the next day to monitor
the investigation.
RESULTS

Overall, we found that the nitrate and phosphate solution produced more algal growth
than any other solution.
The first day, each cup of water had a similar green-tinted appearance (Figure 1). The
sample of water was taken from West Lake in Apex, North Carolina. This day, all we did was
record its appearance and administer the drops.

Fig. 1 Water containers at day one. Cups were a greenish-brownish tint and contained few
particles of dirt, algae, and other miscellaneous material found in ponds. Photo courtesy of Adrian
Pavone.

As time went on, a very clear pattern began to show itself. Cup 6 promptly began to grow
more algae than the others (Figure 2). Cup 6 contained 9 drops of phosphate and nitrate solution.

Fig. 2 Cup 6 at day two. Some algae growth at the bottom around the edges. Photo courtesy of Adrian
Pavone.

The only other cup to show growth from days 2 to 3 was Cup 3, which contained 18
drops of phosphate solution (Figure 3). Day three showed the same results. Only until day four
did the other cups begin to show signs of algae growth (Figure 4). Cups 3, 6, and 7 showed the
most algae growth at this point in time (Figures 5-7).

Fig. 3 Cup 3 at day two. Some algae growth at bottom, few particles around edge of bottom. The effects
of the solutions began to show in most cups around this day. Photo courtesy of Adrian Pavone.

Fig. 4 All cups on day four. Green color and particles can be seen at the bottoms of all cups. Cup 6
(second row, far right) has the most growth at this point. Photo courtesy of Adrian Pavone.

Fig. 5 Close up of Cup 6 on day four. Cup 6 showed the most substantial growth. Photo courtesy
of Adrian Pavone.

Fig. 6 Close up of cup 7 on day four. This cup showed the second most substantial growth at this point.
Photo courtesy of Adrian Pavone.

Fig. 7 Cup 3 on day four. This cup displayed the third most substantial growth on day four. A few
particles were seen at the bottom. The rest of the cups showed very little but still significant growth
compared to the days prior. Photo courtesy of Adrian Pavone.

The next three days, school was not in session therefore we could not record data for the
experiment. As a precaution, the day before the 3-day weekend my partners and I added triple the
amount per day of each solution to each cup. Returning to school the following Tuesday, we
found a drastic change to each cup than what we had previously been observing. Every cup had a
very noticeable amount of algae, even Cup one, which was the controlled cup. Still, some cups
had more than others. Cup 6 yet again displayed the most algae growth on day 8 of the lab
(Figure 8). Several algae particles and a mass of green growth was found at the bottom of the
cup, mostly in the grooved edge. On Day 8, we added double the amount of solution drops to
account for the previous day.

Fig. 8 Cup 6 on day 8, the day upon returning to school. Exceptional amount of algal growth on the
bottom of the cup after applying triple the amount of phosphate and nitrate solution. Photo courtesy of
Adrian Pavone.

Day 9 of the experiment, the last day of observation, showed little change from that
observed on day 8 (Figure 9). More algae grew at the bottom at the same pace, but no drastic
changes occurred except of that in Cup 3. Cup 3 showed a dramatic change overnight it seemed.
A lot more algae growth occurred. Although nothing like Cup 6, Cup 3 showed significant
growth in just over a day compared to the other cups that showed either a staggered or slow
amount of growth. This can more than likely be attributed to the doubled amount of drops we
applied the previous day.

Fig. 9 All cups on day 10, the last day of the lab. Cup six (column one, middle) having the most growth
while the others had significant particles. Cup four displayed the least amount of growth in this lab. Photo
courtesy of Adrian Pavone.

Overall throughout the duration of the experiment Cup 6 displayed the most amount of
growth while Cup 4 showed the least.
DISCUSSION
To some extent, the original hypothesis that the nitrate solution added to the pond water
would produce algae and the phosphate solution would kill off the algae was supported. We
found that in Cup 5, the cup that received 18 drops of nitrate a day produced a lot of algae;
however Cup 4, which received 9 drops of nitrate per day, produced the least. Still, the cups that
produced the most algae were Cups 6 and 7, ones that received a nitrate and phosphate solution.
So, to a certain extent, yes, the phosphate solution did produce the least amount of algae, but the
nitrate solution alone did not produce the most amounts of algae.
The faults of the hypothesis can be contributed to the fact that a mixture of nitrate and
phosphate solutions together causes a perfect balance to grow more algae. We believed that one
of the solutions would cause growth while the other would inhibit it. That is not true at all. Both
nitrate and phosphate result in a growth of algae. An increase in nitrate can sometimes be
followed by an increase in phosphate, which in turn encourages algae bloom (6). Had I or my lab
mates known that, the hypothesis would have been altered to reflect this information. The lab
could have been improved by studying these samples for a longer time or having a more
quantifying way to measure the algae. Recording only observations sufficed for this short-term
experiment, but having a way to physically record the growth of the algae in a numerical format
would have been more beneficial to see the full extent of algae growth.
CONCLUSION
This models human activitys effect on fresh water environments. Through research and
these observations, I learned exactly how this occurs. Too much nitrogen and phosphorous in
water, especially drinking water, can result in nutrient overproduction which results in polluted
water. Excess nutrients cause algal and bacterial growth. When this occurs at the surface of
water, the layer of algae prevents light from reaching the bottom of the body of water, killing or
reducing the life quality of plants below the surface (8).
CITATIONS
1. Perlman, Howard. "Phosphorus and Water." Phosphorus and Water: The USGS Water
Science School. USGS Water Science School, 17 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.
<http://water.usgs.gov/edu/phosphorus.html>
2. "Eutrophication and Hypoxia." Eutrophication and Hypoxia. World Resources Institute,
n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wri.org/our-work/project/eutrophication-andhypoxia>
3. "Nitrates and Their Effect on Water Quality." Wheatley River Improvement Group, n.d.
Web. 4 Sept. 2014. <http://www.wheatleyriver.ca>.

4. "Nitrate in Drinking Water." EPA, 5 Feb. 2014. Web. 04 Sept. 2014.

<http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/nitrate.cfm>
5. "Lab Aids." Pollutant Effects of Phosphates and Nitrates. Course Handout. Aug 29 2014.
6. "Water What-ifs." Science Junction. North Carolina State University, 24 Feb. 2000. Web.
04 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.ncsu.edu/sciencejunction/depot/experiments/water/lessons/np/>.
7. "Nutrient Pollution." The Problem. EPA, 16 Mar. 2014. Web. 03 Sept. 2014.
<http://www2.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/problem>.
8. Khan, Fareed A., and Abid Ali Ansari. "Eutrophication: An Ecological Vision."The
Botanical Review 71.4 (2005): 449-82. Web. 6 Sept. 2014.