Chemistry: Water Pollution
Phosphates in Water Pollution
Phosphates may be created by substituting some or all of the
hydrogen of a phosphoric acid by metals. Depending on the number of
hydrogen atoms that are replaced, the resulting compound is described as
a primary, secondary or tertiary phosphate. Primary and secondary
phosphates contain hydrogen and are acid salts. Secondary and tertiary
phosphates, with the exception of those of sodium, potassium and
ammonium are insoluble in water. Tertiary sodium phosphate is valuable
as a detergent and water softener. The primary phosphates tend…
