Phosphate Cycle

Phosphate Cycle

1. Describes the movement of the phosphorus through a series of phases within ecosystems.

   • Moves through terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
     • The main phosphorus reserve is found in rivers, lakes and oceans but also in sediments and rocks
       • Phosphorus cycle in the ground
         • Phosphorus in the form of phosphates is taken up by animals and plants, thanks to the rock weathering process, since the rocks, when decomposing, release phosphates.
           • Phosphates pass through the soil to plants, and from plants, to animals that eat plants or other animals, and are returned to the soil through their excrement.
             • Once in the ground, decomposers act on animal excrement, producing phosphates again.
       • Phosphorus in the water
         • A part of the phosphates reaches the sea transported by terrestrial water currents, like lakes and rivers
           • Once they arrive, they are taken in by algae, fish and seabirds, which, when popping, produce a type of compost rich in phosphates
             • At the bottom of the sea, the remains of marine animals give place to phosphate rocks. From the rocks, phosphorus is released into the soil, which is used as "food" for plants and animals.