The Pro's and Cons of H3PO4

The Many Pros and Cons of Phosphoric Acid

Algal Bloom Lake Erie 2011

Environmental: Fertilization

Phosphorous is one of the 17 essential elements required to promote plant growth. Phosphorus is described in two different ways throughout the agricultural and commercial use which pertain to be “supplemental fertilizer” and fungicide. Acid is usually a very powerful reducing agent in the growth process of plants but an exception is made to the belief for phosphoric acid. Phosphorus acid dissociates to form the phosphonate ion or otherwise known as phosphite. Phosphoric acid is required for the growth of plants in conclusion. (G. Little 2002) If phosphoric acid is not being used for the

use of enhancing the growth of plants

specifically targeted to those involved

within the agricultural industry, it may

also be being used in the agricultural

industry as a chemical available to be

applied to plants and surrounding areas

of the plants in order to terminate

occmycetes these would pertain to

bacteria and molds and other pathogens. Phosphate itself apart of the acid is great for the use of fertilization but should not be used as a fertilizer within an acid rather if it is within its acidic state it should be used dominantly for the use of a fungicide and removal of occmycetes. (B.Wood, 2006). This is also vice versa for phosphorus itself it should be used purely as a fertilizer within the agricultural industry and not as a fungicide. A very common crop that phosphoric acid will be used on is the crops of lettuce and other leaf like plants. This is due to the fact that these plants are the most likely to develop fungus growth on the bottoms of the leaf’s and in turn bring harm to the crop. A discovery made about phosphoric acid being used as a fungicide determined that how effective phosphoric acid would prove to be on a fungicide would also be determined by the chemical stability of the plant. (D Coffey 1986) It was also discovered, dependent on the chemical stability of the plant that the phosphoric acid could alter the growth of roots from a plant.

Scientific – Masonry Cleaner and Comparison with other Acids

The use of phosphoric acid as a masonry cleaner is not a new one the acid has been used for years as cleaner despite the cleaner alternatives which present a better alternative to bring down the phosphate pollution. Overall phosphoric acid has proven to still remain the strongest of these cleaners. It used to clean efflorescence, which describes the white that forms on concretes and bricks. It is usually caused by excessive moisture on or surrounding the masonic work. Eventually this can lead to problems involving molds and other bacteria’s. It is used because it efficiently removes this white texture with the application of a brush.

This technique to remove efflorescence is often used before painting walls or floors. Not only does this technique offer removal from stains and efflorescence it also cleans the surface in order for patching process of walls and floors. The acid is so effective it is only recommended that it stay in contact with the surface for 10-15 seconds which is little to no time to remove and clean stains and other contaminants. The reason why it is so effective is because it easily neutralizes these stains and quickly and effectively “eats” away at bacteria’s and contaminates. A very important reason why phosphoric acid is used for these process is because it evaporates completely and quickly unlike other acids and alternatives such as hydrochloric acid and oils. In conclusion phosphoric acid is the option in regards to the topic of efflorescence removal and other contaminants removal as it is possibly the quickest and easiest to use.

The Pros

Phosphate itself apart of the acid is great for the use of fertilization but should not be used as a fertilizer within an acid rather if it is within its acidic state it should be used dominantly for the use of a fungicide and removal of occmycetes. (B.Wood, 2006)This is also vice versa for phosphorus itself it should be used purely as a fertilizer within the agricultural industry and not as a fungicide. A very common crop that phosphoric acid will be used on is the crops of lettuce and other leaf like plants. This is due to the fact that these plants are the most likely to develop fungus growth on the bottoms of the leaf’s and in turn bring harm to the crop. A discovery made about phosphoric acid being used as a fungicide determined that how effective phosphoric acid would prove to be on a fungicide would also be determined by the chemical stability of the plant. (D Coffey 1986) It was also discovered, dependent on the chemical stability of the plant that the phosphoric acid could alter the growth of roots from a plant.

The Cons

Environmental: Eutrophication

This process occurs when plant nutrients begin to build up in a body of water. This process is very common in freshwater ecosystems as the body of water ages, and more nutrients are added overtime. Eutrophic means nutrient rich. This process can be dramatically increased when nutrients are artificially added, usually from human involvement. Algae is produced through this process, being the leading detriment eutrophication causes to aquatic ecosystems. Human activity usually involves the creation of waste; much of the waste created includes nitrates and phosphates. The large majority of these phosphate’s originate from the usage of fertilizer; ones that are created through the use of phosphoric acid. Both of these compounds are absorbed by plants in order to promote growth. Recent years have shown that humans use of detergents and phosphate fertilizers has increased quite dramatically, meaning that more of these nutrients will be washed into lakes and other bodies of water. Mainly through the process of runoff, fertilizer waste is transported. (United Nations Environmental Progamme, 2009) Algae self produces its own food (photosynthesis) but when these added phosphates and nitrates are factored into the algae, the algae will grow at very explosive rate into “blooms.” As the plants in these bodies of water grow exponentially, deemed as “algal blooms”, carbon dioxide in water will decrease while oxygen increases through photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is taken in, along with water and sunlight to produce glucose and oxygen:

6CO2 + 6H2O ------> C6H12O6 + 6O2

(+sunlight energy)

Initially, this process benefits the consumers of the ecosystem as it provides food and a surplus of oxygen. However, eventually, through the process of life, the algae will die and then bacteria will be required in order to break down the plants which consume enormous amounts of oxygen throughout that process (Erica Kelly, 2012). This drastically decreases the amounts of oxygen present, which is an invaluable element in fish and other aquatic organisms. During the course of this process, phosphates are released and even more plant growth will be promoted.

Eventually once

these process have

repeated themselves

enough times the

lake or body of water will completely filled with low-oxygen dependent plant growth and eventually this can result in the elimination of consumer organisms (fish, etc.) in the lake, extremely decreasing biodiversity.

Eutrophication is a natural process that occurs through multiple years in, generally, fresh bodies of water (Science Daily, 2015).

Scientific: What Phosphoric Acid Does to Your Teeth

Research suggests that drinking soda or drinks containing phosphoric acid highly increase the damage done to your teeth. The damage that is present by drinking a soda is said to be comparable of that of the damage that battery acid would have when taken into account years of exposure. Not only does it break down and damage your teeth but it also discolors and stains your teeth. Knowing that phosphoric acid is used to remove rusts and other compound from metals, dentists also use it to remove bacteria and enamel from teeth. (Max French, 2010) This just proves that the phosphoric acid is effective in the use of enamel removal, so pops, which contain the acid will also decay and damage your teeth as it is not coming into contact very specifically though thorough application. Eventually, through enough contact between phosphoric acid and your teeth, cavities will begin to appear. A very common effect of phosphoric acid is the coloring of teeth moving from a bright white to a dull yellow. In order to remove this, in most cases, a dentist is required. Enamel is composed of hydroxyapatite or crystalline calcium phosphate. This enamel is able to build up to 2.5mm in some areas of the tooth. H3PO4 is the only inorganic acid found within soft drinks. (Mahmoud Mohsin, 2013)