PPT Slide

Photosynthesis and Phosphorus

Common Forms of P in aquatic ecosystems

• dissolved ionic PO4-3<=> H PO4-2 <=> H2 PO4-1 called ~soluble orthophosphate ( the forms used by plants)

• adsoprbed forms of these associated with clay particles, peat, carbonate and other inorg precipitates

• Organic P (POP,DOP) used directly by some heterotrophic bacteria and euglenophytes

• several inorganic metaphosphates (polyphosphates) are relatively INSOLUBLE but common:

• FeHPO4+ <=>FePO4 <=> Fe3(PO4)2 ferric (iron) phosphates
  
  Al PO4 <=> Al(OH)2H2PO4 aluminum phosphate
  Ca2H2PO4+ <=>Ca2(HPO4)2<=> Ca10(OH)2(PO4)6 calcium phosphate (apetite)
  
  these are not generally biologically useful forms
  

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