orthophosphate

1 8.8

A simple form of phosphorus used in fertilizers and ceramics

noun
/ˌɔrθoʊˈfɑːsfeɪt/

Specialized

: ortofosfato

Monitoring the levels of orthophosphate in drinking water is essential for public health.

Examples

These products range from linear chain polyphosphates to orthophosphates and design blends.

Academic text (1998)
Riverine orthophosphate-P concentrations were increased by two- or threefold after major hurricane events, but estuarine concentrations were not notably affected (Table 2).

Academic text (2002)
The water treatment facility uses orthophosphate to prevent lead leaching from old pipes.
Agricultural runoff can lead to increased levels of orthophosphate in nearby rivers.

Synonyms

phosphate

vsorthophosphate

Specialized

20 4.0

A salt used in fertilizers to help plants grow and in some foods

is specifically the single PO4^3- anion rather than salts or esters

inorganic phosphate

vsorthophosphate

Specialized

5.5

A salt containing phosphorus but not carbon, found in living bodies, soil, or factories

is the single PO4^3- anion rather than focusing on carbon bonding

Compounds

trisodium orthophosphate

Specialized

9.5

A chemical used in soaps and cleaning products to help them clean

sodium orthophosphate

Specialized

7.6

A chemical used as a laxative and for cleaning or other industrial uses

Surface Forms

orthophosphate singular

orthophosphates plural

Morphology

orthophosphate = phosphate (semi-transparent) = ortho + phosphate

The chemical prefix ortho- gives a specific technical meaning, so the relationship is clear to specialists but not fully guessable for average learners.

Etymology

Orthophosphate begins with ortho- meaning 'straight' or 'correct' and ends with phosphate, the common name for a chemical group made of phosphorus and oxygen. So an orthophosphate is the simple or 'straight' phosphate unit — a single phosphate group, which is why chemists call that specific form of phosphate an orthophosphate.