Abstract |
Phosphate detergents are primarily sodium tripolyphosphates. High analysis phosphates used in liquid fertilizers and some solid fertilizers are composed of orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate. Unfortunately, there are no methods available to extract and separate these phosphates when they are contained in sediments. The objective of the report is to present a method for the extraction, separation, and analysis of them. In the method, sediment is extracted with 2% EDTA + 0.1M NH4F followed by a second extract of 2% EDTA + 1N NaOH. Then orthophosphate (OP), PP, and TPP are separated by anion exchange chromotography, and the fractions collected and P determined after extraction into isobutanol. The limit of detection of the method was 0.5 microgram P/g sediment. |