Gravimetric Determination of Phosphorus in

Fertilizer Samples
Experiment No. 1

Catherine A. Pascua
Philipine Science High School- Ilocos Region Campus
Department of Science and Technology
San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur
catherine.pascua@irc.pshs.edu.ph

Pascua, C. (2019)
Page 1 of 5
 Abstract—Gravimetric analysis was used to obtain precipitate
in this experiment. Water, ammonia, and magnesium sulfate
heptahydrate were used to dissolve the phosphorus from the
fertilizer samples. White precipitates, magnesium ammonium
phosphate hexahydrates were formed. The dried precipitates
contained the phosphorus from the fertilizer samples were used
to compare from the amount of phosphorus indicated in the
package of the fertilizer. The result showed that fertilizers have
actually lower phosphorus content than what is indicated in the
package.
Keywords: gravimetric analysis, phosphorus, precipitate,
fertilizer
I. INTRODUCTION
What keeps humanity alive and prospering is actually the
earth’s cultivated cropland. Plants provide food, fiber, housing
and a host of other benefits, wherein, fertilizer plays a key role
in this process [1]. As the world population is continuously
growing, a boost in crop production is needed in order to keep
people fed and healthy, which a fertilizer does.
One of the “Big 3” primary nutrients in commercial
fertilizers is phosphorus, which relates to a plant’s ability to use
and store energy, including the process of photosynthesis. It’s
also needed for plants to grow and develop normally. To
determine the amount of phosphorus present in a fertilizer
sample, gravimetric analysis through precipitation of
magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate (MgNH4PO4 •
6H2O) was used.
In this experiment, the analyte used was the soluble
phosphorus, which undergone precipitation. From the constant
weight of the precipitate, the percentage phosphorus and
percentage diphosphorus pentoxide will be calculated using
gravimetric factors.
This experiment aimed the students to: (1) perform proper
gravimetric steps in obtaining pure and filterable precipitate
suitable for weighing, (2) relate the experiment to analyte
separation by precipitation, and (3) do a quantitative
determination of phosphorus in fertilizer using gravimetric
method of analysis.
II. METHODOLOGY
For the preparation of the solutions, 500 ml of 10% w/v
MgSO4•7H2O solution was first prepared, followed by three (3)
500 ml of 2 M NH3 solutions.
Next, for the precipitation of MgNH4PO4•6H2O, first, the
filter papers to be used in filtering the precipitate were
weighed. The recorded weights were noted, and the filter
papers were kept in the desiccator while not in use. Three (3)
grams to the nearest 0.1 mg of the fertilizer was weighed in
two (2) trials, again, the recorded weights were noted. Then,
the samples were quantitatively transferred into clean and dry
250-ml beakers. Next, 40 ml of distilled water was added to
both trials and stirred after to dissolve the sample. Since, the
samples did not dissolve completely, the mixtures were filtered
using a filter paper that needed not to be weighed. 45 ml of
10% w/v MgSO4•7H2O solution was added to each filtrate.
Then, 150 ml of 2 M NH3 solution was added next to each
filtrate while stirring. The mixtures were left standing at room
temperature for 15 minutes for the completion of the
precipitation process. After 15 minutes of waiting, the
precipitates were quantitatively transferred onto the pre-
weighed filter papers that were kept earlier at the desiccator.
The filtrates were then washed with two (2) 5 ml portions of
distilled water followed by two (2) 10 ml portions of 95%
ethanol. After filtering, the filter papers were spread on petri
dishes and were stored after. During the next period, the filter
papers with precipitates were placed in the oven set at 110C
for one (1) hour. After drying, the precipitates were cooled for
15 minutes and were weighed after. The recorded weights were
again, noted.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The amount of phosphorus in the fertilizer sample was
calculated. There were two (2) trials and the results are as
follows:
TABLE I. %P AND %P2O5
Trial %P %P2O5
1 3.59% 8.23%
2 3.70% 8.47%
The phosphorus content of the fertilizer is expressed in
percent phosphate (%P), while the diphosphorus pentoxide is
expressed in (%P2O5). The sample used has 14% P and 14%
P2O5 however, the %P and % P2O5 computed through
gravimetric analysis as seen in table 1, are actually lower than
what is indicated on the packaging of the fertilizer. This error
may be ascribed from several factors such as the formation of
magnesium hydroxide (MgOH2) which hinders the formation
of precipitate [3]. Another factor is the acidity of the solution.
The continuously stirring and slowly addition of ammonia
aimed to lessen the formation of magnesium hydroxide.
Another factor is the acidity of the solution. The change in
acidity affects the amount of hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-) and
being too basic or too acidic inhibits the formation of a
precipitate.
From the experiment, the phosphorus in the sample was
precipitated using water, ammonia, and magnesium ions as
shown from the given reaction:
5 H2O + HPO42- + NH4+ +Mg2+ + OH-  MgNH4PO4  6H2O
Ammonia cannot be replaced by ammonium chloride
(NH4Cl) because it will cause the formation of magnesium
chloride (MgCl2). In this case, the precipitate will not be
formed.
During the 15 minutes of not touching the precipitates, the
solution was actually left to digest which improves the purity
and filterability of the precipitate [2].
 dried filter paper
At the latter part of the experiment, the precipitates were with precipitate,
washed with 95% ethanol to dissolve polar impurities from the g
precipitates. Net weight of 0.8544 0.8788
dried precipitate,
For the statistical analysis of the experiment with 10 trials g
of the five (5) groups of the class, the range of the %P varies
from 3.45% to 4.68% while, the range of %P 2O5 varies from 1.2 %P
8.23% to 10.73%. The %P has a standard deviation of 0.37
while, the %P2O5 has a standard deviation of 0.84. The %P was calculated using the formula:
confidence interval of %P in 95% confidence level is 3.73 to
4.25 while, the confidence interval of %P2O5 in 95%
confidence level is 8.55 to 9.75.

IV. CONCLUSION
The experiment revealed that the amount of phosphorous in The results from five (5) groups are as follows:
fertilizers is actually lower than to what is indicated from its
packaging. Thus, this explains the importance of determining TABLE III. %P RESULTS
the amount of phosphorus in fertilizers, particularly because Trial %P
phosphorus is one of the “Big 3” primary nutrients in fertilizers
1 4.17%
as what have mentioned above in the introduction.
2 4.20%
The percent phosphate was determined and compared to the 3 4.34%
amount indicated on the packaging of the fertilizer though the 4 3.95%
use of gravimetric analysis. Therefore, this experiment was 5 3.59%
able to achieve the three (3) objectives mentioned above in the
introduction. 6 3.70%
7 3.97%
8 4.68%
REFERENCES
9 3.84%
10 3.47%
[1] (2016, October 31). Fertilizer 101: The Big 3 - Nitrogen,
Phosphorus and Potassium. Retrieved from
https://www.tfi.org/the-feed/fertilizer-101-big-3-nitrogen- Range: 3.45% - 4.68%
phosphorus-and-potassium Average: 3.991
Standard Deviation: 0.3672858409
[2] Crouch, S.; Holler, F.; Skoog, D.; West, D. (2004). Confidence Interval: 3.73 - 4.25
Fundamentals of Analytic Chemistry,8thed.; Harris: Canada,
p. 341 1.3 %P2O5

[3] Medrano, E., & Pasco, J. M. (2014, January). [Chem 28] %P2O5 was calculated using the formula:
Gravimetric Determination of Phosphorus in Fertilizer
Samples. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/12405202/_Chem_28_Gravimet
ric_Determination_of_Phosphorus_in_Fertilizer_Samples

The results from five (5) groups are as follows:

APPENDIX TABLE IV. %P2O5 RESULTS

1.1 Data Trial %P2O5

1 9.56%
TABLE II. DATA
2 9.63%
Trial 1 2 3 9.94%
Sample weight, 3.0013 3.0014 4 9.05%
g
Weight of filter 1.1222 1.1421 5 8.23%
paper, g 6 8.47%
Weight of air- 1.9766 2.0209
 7 9.10% 2 3.95% 9.05%
8 10.73%
9 8.81%
TABLE VII. GROUP 3
10 7.96%
Trial %P %P2O5
Range: 8.23% - 10.73% 1 3.59% 8.23%
Average: 9.148
2 3.70% 8.47%
Standard Deviation: 0.8414247177
Confidence Interval: 8.55 – 9.75

1.4 Data from the five (5) groups TABLE VIII. GROUP 4

Trial %P %P2O5
TABLE V. GROUP 1
1 3.97% 9.10%
Trial %P %P2O5 2 4.68% 10.73%
1 4.17% 9.56%
2 4.20% 9.63%
TABLE IX. GROUP 5

Trial %P %P2O5
TABLE VI. GROUP 2 1 3.84% 8.81%
Trial %P %P2O5 2 3.47% 7.96%
1 4.34% 9.94%