Final answer:
Organic phosphorus includes biological molecules like DNA and is bonded to carbon, while inorganic phosphorus is found as phosphate ions in the environment and can cause eutrophication. Research continues for environmentally safe phosphate substitutes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The distinction between organic phosphorus and inorganic phosphorus relates to their chemical composition and biological roles. Organic phosphorus is typically found in biological molecules like DNA, RNA, ATP, and phospholipids, essential for cell structure and function. It is bonded to carbon atoms and often found within living organisms. In contrast, inorganic phosphorus appears in the form of phosphate ions (Pi) or inorganic phosphates, like phosphorus pentachloride or dissolved phosphate in the ocean. These forms of phosphorus are not bonded to carbon and are often encountered in the environment, such as soil or water bodies.
Phosphorus cycles through the environment and can be transformed from inorganic to organic forms through biological processes. Phosphates can cause environmental issues like eutrophication, leading to reduced levels of dissolved oxygen, harming aquatic life. Therefore, phosphates in detergents have been banned in several places, and there is ongoing research for phosphate substitutes, like complexing agents derived from carboxylic acids, to mitigate this problem.