U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1983.

Phosphorus, All Forms. Method 365.1 (Colorimetric, Automated, Ascorbic Acid). pp.365-1.1 -- 365-1.7. In Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, EPA-600/ 4-79-020. U.S.E.P.A., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

PHOSPHORUS, ALL FORMS

Method 365.1 (Colorimetric, Automated, Ascorbic Acid)

STORET NO.:

Total 00665

Total Orthophosphate (P-ortho) 70507

Total Hydrolyzable Phosphorus (P-hydro) 00669

Total Organic Phosphorus (P-org) 00670

Dissolved Phosphorus (P-D) 00666

Dissolved Orthophosphate (P-D, ortho) 00671

Dissolved Hydrolyzable Phosphorus (P-D, hydro) 00672

Dissolved Organic Phosphorus (P-D, org) 00673

Insoluble Phosphorus 00667

Insoluble orthophosphate00674

Insoluble Hydrolyzable Phosphorus 00675

Insoluble Organic Phosphorus 00676

1.1These methods cover the determination of specified forms of phosphorus in drinking, surface and saline waters, domestic and industrial wastes.

1.2 The methods are based on reactions that are specific for the orthophosphate ion. Thus, depending on the prescribed pretreatment of the sample, the various forms of phosphorus given in Figure 1 may be determined. These forms are defined in Section 4.

1.2.1 Except for in-depth and detailed studies, the most commonly measured forms are phosphorus and dissolved phosphorus, and orthophosphate and dissolved orthophosphate. Hydrolyzable phosphorus is normally found only in sewage-type samples. Insoluble forms of phosphorus are determined by calculation.

1.3 The methods are usable in the 0.001 to 1.0 mg P/l range. Approximately 20-30 samples per hour can be analyzed.

2.1 Ammonium molybdate and antimony potassium tartrate react in an acid medium with dilute solutions of phosphorus to form an antimony-phospho-molybdate complex. This complex is reduced to an intensely blue-colored complex by ascorbic acid. The color is proportional to the phosphorus concentration.

2.2 Only orthophosphate forms a blue color in this test. Polyphosphates (and some organic phosphorus compounds) may be converted to the orthophosphate form by manual sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Organic phosphorus compounds may be converted to the orthophosphate form by manual persulfate digestion(2). The developed color is measured automatically on the AutoAnalyzer.

3.1 If benthic deposits are present in the area being sampled, great care should be taken not to include these deposits.

3.2 Sample containers may be of plastic material; such as cubitainers, or of Pyrex glass.

3.3 If the analysis cannot be performed the same day of collection, the sample should be preserved by the addition of 2 ml conc. H2SO4 per liter and refrigeration at 4 degrees C.

4.1 Total Phosphorus (P) - all of the phosphorus present in the sample regardless of form, as measured by the persulfate digestion procedure. (Storet #00665)

4.1.1 Total Orthophosphate (P-ortho) - inorganic phosphorus [(PO4)-3] in the sample as measured by the direct colorimetric analysis procedure. (70507)

4.1.2 Total Hydrolyzable Phosphorus (P-hydro) - phosphorus in the sample as measured by the sulfuric acid hydrolysis procedure, and minus predetermined orthophosphates. This hydrolyzable phosphorus includes polyphosphates [(P207)-4, (P3O10)-5, etc.] plus some organic phosphorus. (00669)

4.1.3 Total Organic Phosphorus (P-org) - phosphorus (inorganic plus oxidizable organic) in the sample as measured by the persulfate digestion procedure, and minus hydrolyzable phosphorus and orthophosphate. (00670)

4.2 Dissolved Phosphorus (P-D) - all of the phosphorus present in the filtrate of a sample filtered through a phosphorus-free filter of 0.45 micron pore size and measured by the persulfate digestion procedure. (00666)

4.2.1 Dissolved Orthophosphate (P-D, ortho) - as measured by the direct calorimetric analysis procedure. (00671)

4.2.2 Dissolved Hydrolyzable Phosphorus (P-D, hydro) - as measured by the sulfuric acid hydrolysis procedure and minus predetermined dissolved orthophosphates. (00672)

4.2.3 Dissolved Organic Phosphorus (P-D, org) - as measured by the persulfate digestion procedure, and minus dissolved hydrolyzable phosphorus and orthophosphate. (00673)

4.3 The following forms, when sufficient amounts of phosphorus are present in the sample to warrant such consideration, may be calculated:

4.3.1 Insoluble Phosphorus

(P-I) = (P) - (P-D) (00667)

4.3.1.1 Insoluble orthophosphate

(P-I, ortho) = (P, ortho) - (P-D, ortho) (00674)

4.3.1.2 Insoluble Hydrolyzable Phosphorus

(P-I, hydro) = (P.hydro) - (P- D, hydro) (00675)

4.3.1.3 Insoluble Organic Phosphorus

(P-I, org) = (P. org) - (P-D, org) (00676)

4.4 All phosphorus forms shall be reported as P. mg/l, to the third place.

5.1 No interference is caused by copper, iron, or silicate at concentrations many times greater than their reported concentration in sea water. However, high iron concentrations can cause precipitation of and subsequent loss of phosphorus.

5.2 The salt error for samples ranging from 5 to 20% salt content was found to be less than 1%.

5.3 Arsenate is determined similarly to phosphorus and should be considered when present in concentrations higher than phosphorus. However, at concentrations found in sea water, it does not interfere.

5.4 Sample turbidity must be removed by filtration prior to analysis for orthophosphate. Samples for total or total hydrolyzable phosphorus should be filtered only after digestion. Sample color that absorbs in the photometric range used for analysis will also interfere.

6.1Technicon AutoAnalyzer consisting of:

6.1.1 Sampler.

6.1.2 Manifold (AAI) or Analytical Cartridge (AAII).

6.1.3 Proportioning pump.

6.1.4 Heating bath, 50 degrees C.

6.1.5 Colorimeter equipped with 15 or 50 mm tubular flow cell.

6.1.6 650-660 or 880 nm filter.

6.1.7 Recorder.

6.1.8 Digital printer for AAII (optional).

6.2 Hot plate or autoclave.

6.3 Acid-washed glassware: All glassware used in the determination should be washed with hot 1:1 HCl and rinsed with distilled water. The acid-washed glassware should be filled with distilled water and treated with all the reagents to remove the last traces of phosphorus that might be adsorbed on the glassware. Preferably, this glassware should be used only for the determination of phosphorus and after use it should be rinsed with distilled water and kept covered until needed again. If this is done, the treatment with 1:1 HCI and reagents is only required occasionally. Commercial detergent should never be used.

7.1 Sulfuric acid solution, 5N: Slowly add 70 ml of conc. H2SO4 to approximately 400 ml of distilled water. Cool to room temperature and dilute to 500 ml with distilled water.

7.2 Antimony potassium tartrate solution: Weigh 0.3 g K(SbO)C4H4O6 x 1/2H20, dissolve in 50 ml distilled water in 100 ml volumetric flask, dilute to volume. Store at 4 degrees C in a dark, glass-stoppered bottle.

7.3 Ammonium molybdate solution: Dissolve 4 g (NH4)6Mo7O24 x 4H2O in 100 ml distilled water. Store in a plastic bottle at 4 degrees C.

7.4 Ascorbic acid, 0.1M: Dissolve 1.8 g of ascorbic acid in 100 ml of distilled water. The solution is stable for about a week if prepared with water containing no more than trace amounts of heavy metals and stored at 4 degrees C.

7.5 Combined reagent (AAI): Mix the above reagents in the following proportions for 100 ml of the mixed reagent: 50 ml of 5N H2SO4 (7.1), 5 ml of antimony potassium tartrate solution (7.2), 15 ml of ammonium molybdate solution (7.3), and 30 ml of ascorbic acid solution (7.4). Mix after addition of each reagent. All reagents must reach room temperature before they are mixed and must be mixed in the order given. If turbidity forms in the combined reagent, shake and let stand for a few minutes until the turbidity disappears before processing. This volume is sufficient for 4 hours operation. Since the stability of this solution is limited, it must be freshly prepared for each run.

NOTE 1: A stable solution can be prepared by not including the ascorbic acid in the combined reagent. If this is done, the mixed reagent (molybdate, tartrate, and acid) is pumped through the distilled water line and the ascorbic acid solution (30 ml of 7.4 diluted to 100 ml with distilled water) through the original mixed reagent line.

7.6 Sulfuric acid solution, 11 N: Slowly add 310 ml conc. H2S04 to 600 ml distilled water. When cool, dilute to 1 liter.

7.7 Ammonium persulfate.

7.8 Acid wash water: Add 40 ml of sulfuric acid solution (7.6) to 1 liter of distilled water and dilute to 2 liters. (Not to be used when only orthophosphate is being determined).

7.9 Phenolphthalein indicator solution (5 gal): Dissolve 0.5 g of phenolphthalein in a solution of 50 ml of ethyl or isopropyl alcohol and 50 ml of distilled water.

7.10 Stock phosphorus solution: Dissolve 0.4393 g of pre-dried (105 degrees C for 1 hour) KH2PO4 in distilled water and dilute to 1000 ml. 1.0 ml = 0.1 mg P.

7.11 Standard phosphorus solution: Dilute l00.0 ml of stock solution (7.10) to 1000 ml with distilled water. 1.0 ml = 0.01 mg P.

7.12 Standard phosphorus solution: Dilute 100.0 ml of standard solution (7.11) to 1000 ml with distilled water. 1.0 ml = 0.001 mg P.

7.13 Prepare a series of standards by diluting suitable volumes of standard solutions (7.11) and (7.12) to 100.0 ml with distilled water. The following dilutions are suggested:

       ml of Standard             Conc,
 Phosphorus Solution (7.12)       mg P/l
 --------------------------       ------

            0.0                    0.00
            2.0                    0.02
            5.0                    0.05
           10.0                    0.10

       ml of Standard
Phosphorus Solution (7.1.1)       mg P/l
---------------------------       ------

            2.0                    0.20
            5.0                    0.50
            8.0                    0.80
           10.0                    1.00
    

8.1 Phosphorus

8.1.1 Add 1 ml of sulfuric acid solution (7.6) to a 50 ml sample and/or standard in a 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask.

8.1.2 Add 0.4 g of ammonium persulfate.

8.1.3 Boil gently on a preheated hot plate for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a final volume of about 10 ml is reached. Do not allow sample to go to dryness. Alternately, heat for 30 minutes in an autoclave at 121 degrees C (15-20 psi).

8.1.4 Cool and dilute the sample to 50 ml. If sample is not clear at this point, filter.

8.1.5 Determine phosphorus as outlined in (8.3.2) with acid wash water (7.8) in wash tubes.

8.2 Hydrolyzable Phosphorus

8.2.1 Add l ml of sulfuric acid solution (7.6) to a 50 ml sample and/or standard in a 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask.

8.2.2 Boil gently on a preheated hot plate for 30 10 minutes or until a final volume of about 10 ml is reached. Do not allow sample to go to dryness. Alternatively, heat for 30 minutes in an autoclave at 121 degrees C (15-20 psi).

8.2.3 Cool and dilute the sample to 50 ml. If sample is not clear at this point, filter.

8.2.4 Determine phosphorus as outlined in (8.3.2) with acid wash water (7.8) in wash tubes.

8.3 Orthophosphate

8.3.1 Add l drop of phenolphthalein indicator solution (7.9) to approximately 50 ml of sample. If a red color develops, add sulfuric acid solution (7.6) drop-wise to just discharge the color. Acid samples must be neutralized with 1 N sodium hydroxide (40 g NaOH/l).

8.3.2 Set up manifold as shown in Figure 2, AAI or Figure 3. AAII.

8.3.3 Allow both calorimeter and recorder to warm up for 30 minutes. Obtain a stable baseline with all reagents, feeding distilled water through the sample line.

8.3.4 For the AAI system, sample at a rate of 20/hr, I minute sample, 2 minute wash. For the AAII system, use a 30/hr, 2:1 cam, and a common wash.

8.3.5 Place standards in Sampler in order of decreasing concentration. Complete filling of sampler tray with unknown samples.

8.3.6 Switch sample line from distilled water to Sampler and begin analysis.

9.1 Prepare a standard curve by plotting peak heights of processed standards against known concentrations. Compute concentrations of samples by comparing sample peak heights with standard curve. Any sample whose computed value is less than 5% of its immediate predecessor must be rerun.

10.1 Six laboratories participating in an EPA Method Study, analyzed four natural water samples containing exact increments of orthophosphate, with the following results:

                                              Accuracy as
Increment as      Precision as            -------------------
Orthophosphate    Standard Deviation      Bias,        Bias,
mg P/liter        mg P/liter               %        mg P/liter
--------------    ------------------      ------    ----------

    0.04               0.019               +16.7      +0.007
    0.04               0.014               - 8.3      -0.003
    0.29               0.087               -15.5      -0.05
    0.30               0.066               -12.8      -0.04
    

10.2 In a single laboratory (EMSL), using surface water samples at concentrations of 0.04, 0.19, 0.35, and 0.84 mg P/l, standard deviations were +/-0.005, +/-0.000, +/-0.003, and +/-0.000, respectively.

10.3 In a single laboratory (EMSL), using surface water samples at concentrations of 0.07 and 0.76 mg p/l, recoveries were 99% and 100%, respectively.

1. Murphy, J. and J. Riley. 1962.

A Modified Single Solution for the Determination of Phosphate in Natural Waters. Anal. Chim. Acta v.27 p.31.

2. Gales, M., Jr., E. Julian, and R. Kroner. 1966.

Method for Quantitative Determination of Total Phosphorus in Water. Journ. AWWA, v.58 No.10 p.1363.

3. Lobring, L. B. and R. L. Booth. 1972.

Evaluation of the AutoAnalyzer II; A Progress Report, Technicon International Symposium, June, 1972. New York, N.Y.

4. Annual Book of ASTM Standards. 1976.

Part 31, "Water", Standard D515-72, p.388.

5. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 1975.

14th Edition, p 624, Method 606.