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Understanding the Phosphorus Cycle

The phosphorus cycle describes how phosphorus moves between rocks, soil, water, living organisms, and back again. It begins with weathering of rocks which releases phosphates into the soil and water. Plants uptake phosphates from the soil and water, which are then consumed by animals. When organisms die, their remains decompose releasing phosphates back into the soil, completing the cycle. Humans can impact the cycle through activities like agriculture and deforestation.

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90 views7 pages

Understanding the Phosphorus Cycle

The phosphorus cycle describes how phosphorus moves between rocks, soil, water, living organisms, and back again. It begins with weathering of rocks which releases phosphates into the soil and water. Plants uptake phosphates from the soil and water, which are then consumed by animals. When organisms die, their remains decompose releasing phosphates back into the soil, completing the cycle. Humans can impact the cycle through activities like agriculture and deforestation.

Uploaded by

Everrome Asico
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Phosphorus Cycle

Definition…
 The phosphorus cycle is the
biogeochemical cycle (how phosphorus is
in between life and earth) that describes
the movement of phosphorus through the
lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
 The atmosphere doesn’t play a significant
role in phosphorus because phosphorus
compounds are solids during the typical
ranges of temperature and pressure
found on Earth.
Phosphorus Cycle
Explanation of the Cycle

 Rocks start out the Phosphorus Cycle.


 When it rains, phosphates are removed
from the rocks and are spread out
through both soils and water.
 Plants use up phosphate ions from the
soil.
 Phosphate moves from the plants to
animals when herbivores eat plants and
carnivores eat plants or herbivores.
Explanation of the Cycle continued….

 Animals release the phosphate into the


ground.
 It is then decomposed by bacteria and
fungi.
 It then goes through the soil or releases
into the water.
 As the rocks are forming they will either
join with phosphate or the phosphate will
go into the roots of plants and start the
cycle over again.
Facts!

 Phosphorus is element number 15.


 It differs from other biogeochemical cycles
because it does not include a gas phase.
 Humans can alter the phosphorus cycle by the
cutting of tropical rain forests and through the
use of agricultural fertilizers.
 Agricultural runoff provides much of the
phosphate found in waterways.
 At one time the use of laundry detergents
contributed to significant concentrations of
phosphates in rivers, lakes, and streams, but
most detergents no longer include phosphorus as
an ingredient.
More Facts…

 Phosphorus is one of the most limiting


elements in the ecological system.
 Phosphorus is involved in energy transfer
and in the passage of the genetic
information in the DNA.
 Because of phosphorus’ high reactivity, it
exists in combined forms of other
elements.
 Like calcium, phosphorus is important to
the vertebrates. In the human body, 80%
of phosphorus is found in teeth and
bones.

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