Nutrient requirements Phosphorus

Bioremediation usually requires a procedure for stimulation of and maintaining the activity of microorganisms. For biodegradation to be successful, it is necessary to provide a continuous supply of a suitable electron acceptor (such as oxygen or nitrate), nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus), and a carbon source for energy and cell material. The most commonly deficient components in the subsurface are eiectron acceptors and nutrients. 

In addition to provision of carbon, other nutrients required by microorganisms embrace nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen, all elements of which are part of the structural and functional molecules of the cell. Smaller quantities of micronutricnLs are needed. The requirement for cobalt in the synthesis of cobalamin is one of these obvious requirements. 

Terra firme forests growing on Oxisols/ Ultisols seem to be primarily limited by phosphorus (Vitousek 1984, Vitousek and Sanford 1986, Cuevas and Medina 1986, Cuevas and Medina 1988), while at the same time being tolerant of high soil concentrations of mobile aluminum (Sprick 1979, Sobrado and Medina 1980). Cuevas and Medina (1988) showed that terra firme forests can also be limited by calcium and magnesium, which corroborated the hypothesis of Furch and Klinge (1989) who measured low Ca and Mg contents in biotic and abiotic compartments in terra firme forests of Amazonia. Plant adaptation to these conditions requires highly efficient uptake and/or utilization of nutrients, especially phosphorus, calcium and magnesium (Marschner 1995). 

The effluent from edible oil refinery tends to be deficient in nitrogen for aerobic biological treatment. Nitrogen has to be added to fulfill the nutrient requirement. In general, a ratio of BOD N of 100 5 is required for biological treatment. Phosphorus is generally present in adequate amounts in the effluent. This is because phosphoric acid is used in the refining pretreatment process. A ratio of BOD P of 100 1 is adequate for the same purpose. 

Greene HL, Hambidge KM, Schanler R, Tsang RC. Guidelines for the use of vitamins, trace elements, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in infants and children receiving total parenteral nutrition report of the Subcommittee on Pediatric Parenteral Nutrient Requirements from the Committee on Clinical Practice Issues of the American Society for Chnical Nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr 1988 48 1324-42. 

An estimated 7 million metric tons (6.5 million short tons) of potassium carbonate were produced in the United States in 2005. Of that amount, nearly 90 percent was used for the production of fertilizers. Potash provides plants with the potassium they need to stay healthy and grow. Potassium is one of the three major nutrients required by plants, the other two being nitrogen and phosphorus. The next largest application for potassium carbonate is in the chemical industry, where it is used as a raw material to make other chemical compounds, potassium silicate being the most common. 

The chemistry of phosphates as relevant to aquatic systems is discussed as an example of the importance of heterogeneous equilibria in waters. Phosphorus, present as various forms of phosphate, is of central concern to a wide variety of biological and chemical processes in natural waters, wastewater, and water treatment. Phosphate is a nutrient required for the growth of all living protoplasm that,contains approximately 2 percent phosphorus on a dry weight basis. As such, phosphorus can be the... 

The optimal design of the medium is very important for the growth of a microorganism. Nutrients required for the growth of a microorganism are carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium and magnesium salts. 

Nine plant nutrients are required in relatively large amounts and are referred to as major elements or macronutrients. Of these, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are obtained from the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and water and therefore are not dealt with as nutrients by the fertilizer industry. These three plant nutrients make tqa 90%-95% of the dry matter of all plants. The other major elements are subdivided into primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and secondary nutrients (calcium, magneaum, and sulfur). The remaining seven plant nutriente are required in much smaller amounts and are known as micronutrients or minor elements. 

Refinery wastewaters generally are susceptible to conventional biological treatment methods after adequate pretreatment. In addition, phosphorus supplementation may be required in some cases to provide a nutrient-balanced system for biological treatment. This supplemental nutrient requirement will depend on the phosphorus content of the cooling tower blowdown and its inclusion in the process wastewater. 

Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient required for cellular DNA and other biomolecules. It is utilized by plants as H2PO4 and HPO ions. Phosphate minerals that can be used to manufacture phosphorus-containing fertilizers occur in a number of places throughout the world. In the United States, Florida has especially abundant phosphate resources, largely as fluorapatite, Ca5(P04)3F, as well as hydroxyapatite, Ca5(P04)30H. These phosphate minerals are too insoluble to serve directly as fertilizers and are treated with phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid to make superphosphates that are much more soluble and available to plants ... 

While the trace-element content of guano and, to a lesser extent, of mined mineral salts, could make some contribution to the nutrient requirements of crops, these materials are no longer adequately available. We have now become largely dependent on highly purified compound fertilisers containing only nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as nutrients, so that the rate of depletion of essential trace elements has been greatly accelerated. The natural cycle... 

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