inorganic phospate and organic phospate

[jaefei]

dear Randy,
what is the different between inorganic phospate and organic phospate? what phospate absorbed by rowaphos ? and what phospate consumed by macroalgae ?

thanks in advance,
jeffry

[bertoni]

This article covers the issue in detail:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

Hobbyists generally measure PO4, which is one form of inorganic phosphate. There's other forms as well, but we have no kits for them. The article mentions some details, and indicates that they likely break down into PO4.

Organic phosphate has an enormous number of forms, since so many compounds contain them. Proteins, ADP, and phospholipids come to mind. They also can break down into inorganic phosphate.

Organisms have a variety of mechanisms for taking up phosphate, so that subject gets complicated quickly.