Total phosphorus refers to the content of phosphorus in water, mainly in the form of phosphate.

total nitrogen refers to the content of nitrogen in water, including ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen and organic nitrogen.

Total phosphorus and total nitrogen reflect the eutrophication of water

The total nitrogen content in water is one of the important indicators to measure water quality. Its determination is helpful to evaluate the pollution and self-purification of water bodies. When the nitrogen and phosphorus substances in surface water exceed the standard, microorganisms multiply in large numbers, plankton grow vigorously and appear eutrophication.

Domestic sewage is mainly various detergents and sewage, garbage, feces, etc. used in urban life, mostly non-toxic inorganic salts. Domestic sewage contains more nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur, and more pathogenic bacteria. Domestic sewage is also a low-temperature heat source and methane generation source, and it is also a prospective fossil oil and gas field.

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Determination of total nitrogen in water quality

The main methods for determination of total nitrogen in water quality are:

1. Alkaline potassium persulfate ultraviolet spectrophotometry (HJ 636-2112). Nowadays, the main methods for water quality monitoring, such as RAIKING in Britain.

2. Gas phase molecular absorption spectrum, which is mainly used in the laboratory.

3. There are also cases where ammonia nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite are measured separately, and then the cumulative value of the results is taken as the measurement result of total nitrogen. Typical applications are WTW in Germany.

In the field of environmental surface water and water quality monitoring, alkaline potassium persulfate ultraviolet spectrophotometry and optimization methods are the main methods at present.

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