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Related Concept Videos

The Phosphorus Cycle01:21

The Phosphorus Cycle

Unlike carbon, water, and nitrogen, phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, most phosphorus in the ecosystem exists as compounds, such as phosphate ions (PO43-), found in soil, water, sediment and rocks. Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient (i.e., in short supply). Consequently, phosphorus is added to most agricultural fertilizers, which can cause environmental problems related to runoff in aquatic ecosystems.
Factors Affecting Solubility04:01

Factors Affecting Solubility

Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Chȃtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
Introduction to Electrolytes01:33

Introduction to Electrolytes

In humans, electrolytes play a vital role in various physiological processes. Balancing electrolyte levels is essential for normal body functions; their imbalance can be life-threatening. The major electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, and bicarbonate. They are primarily involved in physiological processes, such as nerve signal transmission, membrane trafficking, muscle contraction, buffering body fluids, and balancing water levels in the body.
Role of Sodium
One...
Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate01:27

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily regulated...
Phosphate Buffer01:22

Phosphate Buffer

The phosphate buffer system is a critical biological mechanism for maintaining pH stability in the body. This system operates primarily through two components: sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4), which acts as a weak acid, and sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4), which serves as a weak base.
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate does not fully dissociate in neutral or acidic solutions. When a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), is introduced into the solution, sodium dihydrogen phosphate...
Freshwater Microbial Ecology01:24

Freshwater Microbial Ecology

Freshwater systems such as streams, rivers, and lakes exhibit distinct physical and biological characteristics that influence their microbial communities. These environments are broadly categorized into lotic systems—those with flowing waters like streams and most rivers—and lentic systems, which include still or slow-moving waters such as lakes, ponds, and marshes.In lentic systems, phytoplankton drive primary production, generating autochthonous organic carbon. In contrast, lotic systems...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
10:49

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading

Published on: March 6, 2014

Phosphate concentrations in lakes.

J J Hudson1, W D Taylor, D W Schindler

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. hudsonje@ene.gov.on.ca

Nature
|July 14, 2000
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

New radiobioassay reveals picomolar phosphate concentrations in lakes, significantly lower than previous estimates. Microbes achieve rapid turnover even at these low nutrient levels, challenging existing ecological models.

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading
10:49

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading

Published on: March 6, 2014

Assaying for Inorganic Polyphosphate in Bacteria
07:20

Assaying for Inorganic Polyphosphate in Bacteria

Published on: January 21, 2019

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment
06:42

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Published on: July 22, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Limnology

Background:

  • Phosphate is a critical nutrient limiting microbial production in aquatic ecosystems.
  • Existing methods for measuring phosphate concentration in phosphorus-limited waters often overestimate actual levels.
  • Accurate phosphate measurements are essential for understanding microbial dynamics and nutrient cycling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and apply a novel radiobioassay for precise measurement of phosphate concentrations in diverse lake systems.
  • To compare new measurements with existing spectrophotometric and Rigler radiobioassay data.
  • To investigate the relationship between phosphate concentration, total phosphorus, and lake trophic status.

Main Methods:

  • A new steady-state radiobioassay was employed to measure phosphate concentrations.
  • Surveys were conducted across a diverse range of lake environments.
  • Data were analyzed in conjunction with existing literature values.

Main Results:

  • Phosphate concentrations were found to be orders of magnitude lower than previously estimated using standard methods.
  • Microbial communities demonstrated rapid turnover rates at picomolar phosphate concentrations.
  • Phosphate proportion decreased from oligotrophic to eutrophic lakes, despite increasing total phosphorus.

Conclusions:

  • The new radiobioassay provides a more accurate assessment of bioavailable phosphate in aquatic systems.
  • Microbial life can thrive and exhibit rapid activity at extremely low phosphate concentrations.
  • Findings necessitate a re-evaluation of nutrient limitation and microbial responses in aquatic environments.