PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

1. Sources of Phosphorus in the environment

   • Phosphorus enters the environment from rocks and deposits.
     • Over time, rain and weathering cause rocks to release phosphate ions and other minerals.
       • These organic phophate is then distributed in soils and water
         • Plants take up inorganic phosphate from the soil.
           • Plants and soils need phosphate as fertilizer or nutrient.
             • The plants may then be consume by animals.
               • The phosphate is incorporated into many organic molecules such as ATP.
                 • once the plant and animal dies, it decays and organic phosphate return to the soil.
                   • Within the soil, organic phosphate can be made available to plants by bacteria.
                     • Phosphorus in soil can end up in water waste and eventually to ocean.
                       • once there, it can be incorporated into sediments over time.

2. Introduction

   • 4. maintain the balance of ecosystems
   • 1. Widely found in compounds in minerals such as Phosphate ion (PO4)
   • 3. It is located in water, soil and sediment
   • 2. Cannot be found in air in gaseous state

3. How human influences the phosphorus cycle

   • 4. Introduction and use of commercial synthetic fertilizers
   • 2. Municipal sewage treatment plants
   • 3. Animal wastes or manure as fertilizers
   • 1. Phosphate fertilizers lost from the land through the water run off

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