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The Phosphorus Cycle

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2025

Extraction of Structural Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Aerobic Granular Sludge

Extraction of Structural Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Aerobic Granular Sludge

Published on: September 26, 2016

Phosphorous speciation in EPS extracted from Aerobic Granular Sludge.

Nouran T Bahgat¹, Philipp Wilfert², Stephen J Eustace²

¹Wetsus, European Centre Of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 7, 8911 MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Dept. Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands.

|July 17, 2024

Summary

Recovered phosphorus in wastewater sludge extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) includes organic phosphorus and orthophosphates. Understanding phosphorus speciation in EPS aids in tailoring its properties for industrial applications.

Keywords:

31P NMR EPS Fractionation protocol High value P products Organic P esters Polyphosphates

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Last Updated: Jun 20, 2025

Extraction of Structural Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Aerobic Granular Sludge

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Published on: September 26, 2016

Optimized Procedure for Determining the Adsorption of Phosphonates onto Granular Ferric Hydroxide using a Miniaturized Phosphorus Determination Method

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Assaying for Inorganic Polyphosphate in Bacteria

Assaying for Inorganic Polyphosphate in Bacteria

Published on: January 21, 2019

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Biotechnology
Analytical Chemistry

Background:

Wastewater treatment enables recovery of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS).
Recovered EPS contains significant amounts of phosphorus (P), influencing its properties.
Understanding P speciation in EPS is crucial for its industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate phosphorus speciation in EPS extracted from aerobic granular sludge (AGS).
To establish a lab protocol for distinguishing P species in EPS.
To provide insights for EPS engineering and P chemistry manipulation.

Main Methods:

Fractionation protocol to distinguish P species in EPS liquid phase and polymer chains.
31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for P speciation analysis.
Tracking changes in P species during the EPS extraction process.

Main Results:

EPS primarily contains organic phosphorus and orthophosphates.
Identified P fractions: 25% orthophosphates, 52% organic P (mono- and diesters), 16% non-apatite inorganic P (FeP, AlP), and 7% pyrophosphates.
Polyphosphates in AGS hydrolyzed during extraction, forming orthophosphates, pyrophosphates, and organic P.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of P speciation in EPS is essential for its targeted application.
EPS extraction process influences P speciation, enabling manipulation.
This study provides a foundation for engineering EPS with specific P compositions for industrial use.