Total Phosphorus
Total Phosphorus (TP) is one of the
major nutrients needed for plant growth. It is generally present in
small amounts and limits the plant growth in lakes. As phosphorus increases, the amount of algae
also increases. People can add phosphorous to water from runoff, lawn or garden fertilizers, and septic tanks.
TP varies from 1 ppb to 110 ppb with the average being 14 ppb. It is measured in parts per billion
(ppb) or parts per million (ppm).
Note: 1 ppb = 0.001 ppm.
Total phosphorous levels in a lake or pond can be related to lake classification:
Care to Compare?
The data used to create this graph were provided to
PEARL by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP). DEP summary data were
used, which can be viewed by clicking "Browse Data Sets" then
the "Water Quality" button from PEARL's homepage. The
distribution of mean (or average) total phosphorus levels recorded at 867 sampling sites are shown.
Need data? You can search for a lake or pond
from the PEARL homepage.
Out of 867 sampling stations:
|
Total Phosphorous reading |
Number of sample
sites with readings in this range |
Percentage of
sample sites with readings in this range |
| 0 - 4.9 |
52 |
6.0 |
| 5 - 9.9 |
391 |
45.1 |
| 10 - 14.9 |
227 |
26.2 |
| 15 - 19.9 |
104 |
12.0 |
| 20 - 24.9 |
40 |
4.6 |
| 25 - 29.9 |
19 |
2.2 |
| 30 - 34.9 |
12 |
1.4 |
| ≥35 |
22 |
2.5 |
-
52, or 6.0%, had total phosphorous levels of 0 - 4.9
ppb
-
391, or 45.1%, had total phosphorous levels of 5 -
9.9 ppb
-
227, or 26.2%, had total phosphorous levels of 10 -
14.9 ppb
-
104, or 12.0%, had total phosphorous levels of 15 -
19.9 ppb
-
40, or 4.6%, had total phosphorous levels of 20 -
24.9 ppb
-
19, or 2.2%, had total phosphorous levels of 25 -
29.9 ppb
-
12, or 1.4%, had total phosphorous levels of 30 -
34.9 ppb
-
22, or 2.5%, had total phosphorous levels ≥35 ppb
|
