Chemical Technology and Economics in Environmental Perspective. Task I. Analysis of the Sources of Phosphorus in the Environment.

摘要

A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the principal sources of phosphorus release to the environment was performed. Natural sources were not extensively evaluated nor were they quantified. Nonpoint sources were identified by land use; discharge data for specific land uses were obtained from the literature. Point sources were estimated on the basis of model flow diagrams and phosphorus material balances; no measured levels were utilized. The total national phosphorus emissions to air and water in 1978 were about 2.9 million metric tons. Of this amount, approximately 87.6% was attributable to nonpoint sources and 12.4% to point sources. Major nonpoint contributors are cropland runoff and pasture and rangeland runoff; for the major point sources, municipal sewage treatment was the largest single contributor. From the data developed for the national emissions, a regional assessment was performed for Florida to evaluate the difference in phosphorus sources in regions and for the nation. A cursory analysis was also performed of detergent phosphate controls in Indiana and New York. The analysis addressed surface water geography, location and nature of phosphorus water quality problems, and the impact of detergent phosphate control.