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The changes in phosphate concentration which take place when lake water is stored in polyethylene bottles have been studied. The reduction in phosphate concentration which occurs is attributed to bacterial action and not to absorption of phosphate by the polyethylene. Appreciable changes in phosphate concentration can be avoided by collecting the sample in a polyethylene bottle which has been treated with a solution of iodine in potassium iodide solution.
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James Heron (1962) studied this question.
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