Stability of Phosphorus Species in Seawater

Abstract

Relative stabilities of various oxidation states, oxyacids and dissolved inorganic complexes of phosphorus in anoxic and oxic marine environments are elucidated. H sub(3) PO sub(2)/P super(0) and H sub(2) PO sub(2)/p super(0) are the strong reducing couples in acidic and basic solutions, respectively, in anoxic conditions. H sub(3) PO sub(4)/H sub(4) P sub(2) O sub(6) and H sub(3) PO sub(2)/P super(0) are the important reducing couples in seawater. HPO and H PO are the stable ones in oxic and anoxic seawaters, respectively. UO (HPO) are the most stable complexes in oxic seawater. Among the PO complexes CaPO is more stable.