Effect of Banning Phosphate in Detergents on the Eutrophication of Taihu Lake

Analysis of phosphorus concentrations in urban domestic sewage,in-flowing rivers and water bodies of Taihu Lake as well as var iation of the eutrophication index therein before and after the banning of phosp hate in detergents adopted in Taihu region demonstrated that the phosphorus conc entration decreased by about 24% in urban domestic sewage,by 16.07% in river wat er,and by 3.29% in eutrophication index of the lake water body.The phosphate ba n showed a significant effect on phosphorus concentration in the domestic sewage ,but no obvious effect on that in the in-flowing rivers or the eutrophication i ndex of the lake water body.Consequently,control of eutrophication of Taihu Lake calls for integrated management including other pollution control measures in t he region.