Impact of Various Forms of Phosphorus on Biological Growth in Water

Preparation for sampling various forms of phosphorus using potable water, soluble reactive phosphorus water, particulate phosphorus water, poly-phosphorous and river water were conducted to culture microorganism, and prepared total phosphorus concentration ranged between 0μg/L and 100μg/L. Total bacterial count was measured after 24 hours. Results showed the sequence of growing rate priority was as follows, river water, particulate phosphorus water, soluble reactive phosphorus water, poly-phosphorus and potable water with the same phosphorus concentration. Since the growth condition of bacteria correlates with the nutrient of phosphorus in water, total bacterial count represents the growth potential of microorganism in the water under various forms of phosphorus condition. Based on the result, it was proposed that 10μg/L of total phosphorus or 5μg/L of soluble total phosphorus should be the limitation standard of biological stability for potable water.