Typical biological process that removes phosphorus: ATP or Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) C₁₀H₁₆N₅O₁₃P₃ is a multifunctional nucleotide that is used in every energy cycle for every metabolic function in every organism in the world. From bacteria up to humans.

In aerobic organisms, the citric acid cycle is part of a metabolic pathway involved in the chemical conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins into carbon dioxide and water to generate a form of usable energy. This cycle produces 36-38 molecules of ATP available for energy and metabolic processes.

As opposed to Anaerobic respiration, only 2 ATP are generated. Aerobic metabolism is 19 times more efficient than anaerobic metabolism (which yields 2 mol ATP per 1 mol glucose).

Plants create energy in the photosynthesis cycle.

Plants use the chemical energy to fix carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and other organic compounds through light-independent reactions.

The overall equation for carbon fixation (sometimes referred to as carbon reduction) in green plants is:

3 CO2 + 9 ATP + 6 NADPH + 6 H+ → C3H6O3-phosphate + 9 ADP + 8 Pi + 6 NADP+ + 3 H2O [3]

So while phosphorus is needed, too much can cause problems. The issue is finding a balance in nature.

Some places have created phosphorus free fertilizer.  This is alternated on grass between periodic periods of use of normal fertilizer, since often times, N ( nitrogen)  and K ( potassuim) are needed, but there is excess P already in the soil. Some places have entirely banned most use of phosphorus.

http://www.co.lake.il.us/health/pdfs/ehs/Fertilizer.pdf

New phosphorus lawn fertilizer law now in effect

This is the first growing season of Minnesota's statewide restriction on phosphorus lawn fertilizer use, and there are things that homeowners and groundskeepers need to know to grow healthy lawns and protect water quality.

The Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law is based on the premise that most Minnesota lawns already have adequate soil levels of the plant nutrient phosphorus, and that adding more through fertilizer is not needed. Unnecessary phosphorus fertilizer use is a concern since phosphorus is the primary nutrient that makes lakes and rivers green with algae and choked with excessive aquatic plant growth.

"Every fertilizer bag has a string of three numbers that indicates its nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium analysis - in that order," explains Carl Rosen, University of Minnesota Extension Service soil scientist. "The key to following the law is to look at the middle number - it will be zero if the fertilizer is phosphorus-free." Rosen said that although phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer was a rarity just a few years ago, it is becoming commonplace in response to the law.

The law does allow use of phosphorus fertilizer when it is needed for promoting healthy lawn growth. Although most lawns contain adequate phosphorus levels, there are areas of Minnesota, such the Red River Valley, where lawns can benefit from phosphorus fertilization. Soil testing is the most reliable way of determining whether an established lawn is low in phosphorus. The University of Minnesota Soil Test Lab offers information on soil testing at (651) 625-3101 or http://soiltest.coafes.umn.edu.

Phosphorus lawn fertilizer can be used without a soil test when establishing or re-establishing a new lawn, either with seed or sod. It has been found that extra phosphorus at the time of lawn establishment quickens the rate a new lawn covers the soil, reducing the potential for soil erosion.

It should be noted that the law applies only to lawn fertilizer and not fertilizer applied to gardens, trees or agricultural crops. Golf courses may have phosphorus lawn fertilizer applied by trained staff.

Here is one example of places where fertilizer can be found to have little or low levels of phosphorus. If you have a lot located on the waterfront, please check carefully how much fertilizer you are using, whether you have a buffer zone or whether you are letting excess nutrients run off into the lake and may be causing excess algae growth. Check the water in the lake near your property. Signs are typically evident

Both of theses are two different houses on the waterfront where most of the natural vegetation has been stripped, and  runoff can easily make it all the way down into the lake.

Algae and blue green algae grow on the excess nutrients, carbon, leaves, grass clippings, debris that make their way into the lake

Here you can see where the cat tails are less dense, more algae has grown in the water

Here are some good examples of where beautiful buffer strips were put in, or rip rap and leaving most of the natural trees, shrubs help keep the run off from heading down into the lake

Come Take a closer look at ACL Lake water and see what this really looks like under the microscope Microscopic Analyses

Sample point analyses #2

Sample Point analyses #3

More ACL Links

Algae  Pests or Natures helpers

What kind of algae are you growing

Microscopic Analyses

Lake algae Photos

Invasive Species