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Phosphorus Cycle

The phosphorus cycle describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Phosphorus is essential for plant and animal growth but is gradually depleted from soil over time. The cycle involves weathering releasing phosphorus from rocks into soil, plants and animals absorbing phosphorus from soil and water, and decomposition returning phosphorus to the environment.

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19 views9 pages

Phosphorus Cycle

The phosphorus cycle describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Phosphorus is essential for plant and animal growth but is gradually depleted from soil over time. The cycle involves weathering releasing phosphorus from rocks into soil, plants and animals absorbing phosphorus from soil and water, and decomposition returning phosphorus to the environment.

Uploaded by

gracewrites4u
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
• The Phosphorus Cycle is the biogeochemical cycle
that describes the movement of phosphorus through
the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.

• Unlike many other biogeochemical cycles, the


atmosphere does not play a significant role in the
movement of phosphorus and phosphorus- based
compounds are usually solids at the typical ranges of
temperature and pressure found on earth.
• Phosphorus is essential for plant and animal growth,
as well as the health of microbes inhabiting the soil,
but is gradually depleted from the soil over time.

• The main biological function of phosphorus is that it


is required for the formation of nucleotides, which
comprise DNA and RNA molecules.

• The phosphorus cycle is an extremely slow process,


as various weather conditions (e.g. rain and erosion)
help to wash the phosphorus found in rocks into the
soil.
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
STEPS
• WEATHERING - Since the main source of phosphorus is found
in rocks, the first step involves the extraction of phosphorus from
the rocks by weathering. Weather events, such as rain and other
sources of erosion, result in phosphorus being washed into the
soil.

• ABSORPTION BY PLANTS AND ANIMALS – Once in the


soil, plants, fungi, and microorganisms are able to absorb
phosphorus and grow. In addition, phosphorus can also be
washed into the local water systems. Plants can also directly
absorb phosphorus from the water and grow. In addition, plants
and animals also obtain phosphorus from drinking water and
eating plants.
• RETURN TO THE ENVIRONMENT VIA
DECOMPOSITION – when plants and animals die,
decomposition results in the return of phosphorus back to the
environment via the water or soil. Plants and animals in these
environments can then use this phosphorus and step 2 of the
cycle is repeated.
• HUMAN IMPACT ON THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE –
Humans have had a significant impact on the
phosphorus cycle due to a variety of human activities,
such as the use of fertilizer, the distribution of food
products, and artificial eutrophication. Fertilizers
containing phosphorus add to the phosphorus levels
in the soil and are particularly detrimental when such
products are washed into local aquatic ecosystem.

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