Phosphates enter the water bodies from agricultural fertilizer run-off,
discharge of effluents, biological wastes and residues. Industrial effluents
related to corrosion and scale control, chemical processing, and
the use of detergents and surfactants contribute significantly to the
phosphate content in the water bodies. After being dissolved in water,
these are converted to orthophosphates at different rates depending
upon their types, the temperature of the water, and the pH. Excessive
phosphorus in effluents from wastewater treatment plants has been
regarded as an important cause of eutrophication.When excess of phosphate
enters water supply systems, it can cause severe health problems
also, such as kidney damage and osteoporosis. To further prevent eutrophication,
the U.S. EPA set stringent limits for total phosphorus in
natural waters, i.e., 0.1 mg L−1 for rivers and 0.05 mg L−1 for rivers
draining into lakes [15].