Phosphates Phosphates can be created by replacing some or all of the hydrogen in a phosphoric acid with metals. Depending on the number of hydrogen atoms that are replaced, the resulting compound is described as primary, secondary, or tertiary phosphate. Primary and secondary phosphates contain hydrogen and are acid salts. Secondary and tertiary phosphates, with the exception of sodium, potassium and ammonium, are insoluble in water. Tertiary sodium phosphate is valuable as a detergent and water softener. Primary phosphates tend to be more soluble. Phosphates, which are an important component for metabolism in both plants and animals, help in the first step of glucose oxidation in the body. Primary calcium phosphate is an ingredient in plant fertilizer. Phosphates have caused increasing attention recently. The focus is on the environmentally harmful effects of household detergents. Wastewater from scrubbers contains phosphates, which are believed to be a water pollutant. Most laundry detergents contain about 35% to 75% sodium triphosphate (Na5P3O10), which serves two purposes. Providing an alkaline solution (pH 9.0 to 10.5) is necessary for effective cleaning and also to bind the calcium and magnesium ions present in natural waters and prevent them from interfering with the detergent's cleansing role. Eutrophication is the progressive over-fertilization of water, in which rotting masses of algae flourish, choking rivers and lakes. Phosphorus compounds act as a fertilizer for all plant life, whether free-floating algae or more firmly rooted weeds, and are implicated in eutrophication. Many countries control phosphate levels, while Switzerland has banned the use of phosphates. The marine environment is fragile and more resistant than the terrestrial ecosystem. It is fragile because nutrients are generally present in very low concentrations, permanently consumed by living organisms, and pollutants spread rapidly. Lakes and rivers are extremely complex ecosystems. Nutrients are absorbed by both algae and rooted weeds. The weeds serve as shelter for fish larvae and zooplankton, which both eat the algae and are, in turn, eaten by larger fish. The scientists concluded that unpolluted lakes can absorb surprisingly large amounts of phosphate without uncertainty. When a fertilizer, such as a phosphate, is added, more algae and thus zooplankton and fish populations grow. Difficulties arise only when the lake is already impure. Zooplankton is sensitive to the environment and many substances are toxic to it. If any of these substances, including phosphates, are present, the zooplankton population may not increase. Adding phosphates to this polluted system will cause algae to grow. The floating masses interrupt the light supply. Weeds die and decompose, consuming dissolved oxygen and causing sulfurous odors