Phosphates and Eutrophication (?)

Phosphate compounds have been used in consumer and industrial detergents for decades. In the early 1990’s as environmental concerns became more prevalent, phosphates containing detergents were targeted as a contributor to surface water euthrophication. If you were wondering what the heck that was, here is an explanation:
Eutrophication is the process of enrichment of waters with nutrients and subsequent production of large scale algal “blooms”. The nutrients responsible for this process include carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, silica, trace metals, and other minor nutrients. Of the total amount of phosphorous produced each year for North American use, about 70% is used in agricultural fertilizers and animal feeds. A recent Minnesota study showed that less than 3% of the total phosphorous discharged into surface waters originated from consumer and commercial detergents products. Because it is easier to pass laws limiting phosphate in detergents than in animal feed, human food, and fertilizer; many states have passed legislation banning or limiting the use of phosphate in certain detergent products. Every little bit helps.