Phosphates: Environmental Impact and Eutrophication

Phosphorus is a crucial nutrient for plant growth, a key component of bones and teeth, and found in human waste.

Phosphates, like STPP, are used in detergents to soften water and help suspend dirt.

Excess nutrients in water cause algae to grow rapidly, eventually dying and depleting oxygen, harming aquatic life.

Excessive phosphates and nutrients entering Lake Erie in the 1960s led to an algae bloom, impacting water quality and fish populations.

Excess nutrients in water, often from fertilizers and detergents, leading to harmful algal blooms and eutrophication.

Decomposition of excess algae consumes oxygen, harming or killing aquatic life.

Sodium tripolyphosphate, a phosphate used in detergents to soften water and keep dirt suspended.

Phosphorus, a vital nutrient, is released into the environment as waste from the human body.

A standard system of measurement used by scientists worldwide to describe matter.

Fundamental units used to define other measurements, example: metre, kilogram, second.

Base SI unit for length.

Base SI unit for mass.

Base SI unit for time.

A careful, standardized way to assign a value to a characteristic of an object.

The amount of matter in an object.

The amount of space an object occupies.

The amount of matter in an object.

The distance between two points.

The hotness or coldness of a substance.

The amount of space an object occupies.

The mass per unit of volume of a substance.

The capacity to do work (to move matter).

The kilogram (kg) is the standard unit for mass in the International System of Units (SI).

The kelvin (K) is the standard unit for temperature in the International System of Units (SI).

The meaningful digits in a measurement that reflect the uncertainty of the measuring tool.

When adding or subtracting measurements, the answer should have the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the fewest decimal places.

When multiplying or dividing measurements, the answer should have the same number of significant digits as the measurement with the fewest significant digits.

A way to express very large or very small numbers using powers of ten, making them easier to read and work with.

A numerical value assigned to a characteristic of an object, using a standardized system to ensure consistency.

A substance made of only one type of atom or molecule, and it can't be broken down into simpler substances by physical means.

A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded. Each substance keeps its own properties.

The inherent variability or imprecision in any measurement due to limitations of the measuring instrument or observer's skill. This is reflected in the last significant digit.

Because they indicate the precision of a measurement and guide how we report the results of calculations. Results should not imply more certainty than the measurements allow.

A change in the form or appearance of a substance, but not its chemical composition. It's reversible.

A change where new substances are formed, with different properties. Often irreversible.

The result of these operations can have no more significant digits than the least precise measurement (fewer significant digits) used in the calculation.

The properties of the substances in a mixture, such as density, magnetism, solubility, and boiling point, can be used to separate them.

A measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. It is a characteristic property of a substance.

The properties of substances determine if they will mix or react. Solubility, reactivity, and state of matter are important factors.

Involves measuring the mass and volume of a substance and dividing the mass by the volume. The density is then expressed in units like grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³).

The density value should be reported with the same number of significant digits as the least precise measurement (mass or volume) used in the calculation.

Techniques like filtration, evaporation, distillation, and magnetism can be used to separate different components of a mixture.

Look for changes in color, odor, temperature, formation of bubbles or precipitate (solid forming).

The process of examining collected data, identifying patterns and trends, drawing conclusions, and communicating findings. This includes analyzing significant digits to ensure accuracy.