Question
Phosphorus cycle is a biogeochemical process that involves the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Discuss the Phosphorus Cycle in 60 words or less. In your discussion, be sure to include the role by plants and animals (6pts), and the human impact on the phosphorus cycle. (4pts) Use the resource provided in your response.
resource: Phosphorus Cycle Definition
“Phosphorus cycle is a biogeochemical process that involves the movement of phosphorus
through the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.”
What is the Phosphorus Cycle?
Phosphorus is an important element for all living organisms. It forms a significant part of the
structural framework of DNA and RNA. They are also an important component of ATP.Humans
contain 80% of phosphorus in teeth and bones. The phosphorus cycle is a very slow process.
Various weather processes help to wash the phosphorus present in the rocks into the soil.
Phosphorus is absorbed by the organic matter in the soil, which is used for various biological
processes. Since phosphorus and phosphorus-containing compounds are present only on land,
the atmosphere plays no significant role in the phosphorus cycle. Let us have a brief look at the
phosphorus cycle, its steps and the human impact phosphorus cycle.Steps of the Phosphorus Cycle
The following are the important steps of the phosphorus cycle:
1. Weathering
2. Absorption by Plants
3. Absorption by Animals
4. Return to the Environment through
Decomposition
Weathering
Phosphorus is found in the rocks in abundance. That is
why the phosphorus cycle starts in the Earth’s crust. The
phosphate salts are broken down from the rocks. These
salts are washed away into the ground, where they mix in
the soil.
Absorption by Plants
The phosphate salts dissolved in water are absorbed by the plants. However, the amount of
phosphorus present in the soil is very less. That is why the farmers apply phosphate fertilizers on
agricultural land. The aquatic plants absorb inorganic phosphorus from the lower layers of water
bodies. Since phosphate salts do not dissolve in water properly, they affect plant growth in aquatic
ecosystems.
Absorption by Animals
The animals absorb phosphorus from the plants or by consuming plant-eating animals. The rate of
the phosphorus cycle is faster in plants and animals than in rocks.
Return of Phosphorus Back to the Ecosystem
When the plants and animals die, they are decomposed by microorganisms. During this process,
the organic form of phosphorus is converted into the inorganic form, which is recycled to soil and
water. Soil and water will end up in sediments and rocks, which will again release phosphorus by
weathering. Thus, the phosphorus cycle starts over. Human Impact on Phosphorus Cycle
Several human activities, use of fertilizers, artificial eutrophication, etc. has a great impact on the
phosphorus cycle. The phosphorus fertilizers increase the level of phosphorus in the soil. Overuse
of these fertilizers reduces the fertility of the soil and is also harmful to the microorganisms present
in the soil. When these are washed away into the nearby water bodies, they are hazardous to
aquatic life. During the shipping of food from farms to cities, the amount of phosphorus that is
washed away in water causes eutrophication. This leads to the growth of algae. These form algal
blooms or die, which is toxic to the aquatic ecosystem.
write in paragraph form as junior in high school
resource: Phosphorus Cycle Definition
“Phosphorus cycle is a biogeochemical process that involves the movement of phosphorus
through the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere.”
What is the Phosphorus Cycle?
Phosphorus is an important element for all living organisms. It forms a significant part of the
structural framework of DNA and RNA. They are also an important component of ATP.Humans
contain 80% of phosphorus in teeth and bones. The phosphorus cycle is a very slow process.
Various weather processes help to wash the phosphorus present in the rocks into the soil.
Phosphorus is absorbed by the organic matter in the soil, which is used for various biological
processes. Since phosphorus and phosphorus-containing compounds are present only on land,
the atmosphere plays no significant role in the phosphorus cycle. Let us have a brief look at the
phosphorus cycle, its steps and the human impact phosphorus cycle.Steps of the Phosphorus Cycle
The following are the important steps of the phosphorus cycle:
1. Weathering
2. Absorption by Plants
3. Absorption by Animals
4. Return to the Environment through
Decomposition
Weathering
Phosphorus is found in the rocks in abundance. That is
why the phosphorus cycle starts in the Earth’s crust. The
phosphate salts are broken down from the rocks. These
salts are washed away into the ground, where they mix in
the soil.
Absorption by Plants
The phosphate salts dissolved in water are absorbed by the plants. However, the amount of
phosphorus present in the soil is very less. That is why the farmers apply phosphate fertilizers on
agricultural land. The aquatic plants absorb inorganic phosphorus from the lower layers of water
bodies. Since phosphate salts do not dissolve in water properly, they affect plant growth in aquatic
ecosystems.
Absorption by Animals
The animals absorb phosphorus from the plants or by consuming plant-eating animals. The rate of
the phosphorus cycle is faster in plants and animals than in rocks.
Return of Phosphorus Back to the Ecosystem
When the plants and animals die, they are decomposed by microorganisms. During this process,
the organic form of phosphorus is converted into the inorganic form, which is recycled to soil and
water. Soil and water will end up in sediments and rocks, which will again release phosphorus by
weathering. Thus, the phosphorus cycle starts over. Human Impact on Phosphorus Cycle
Several human activities, use of fertilizers, artificial eutrophication, etc. has a great impact on the
phosphorus cycle. The phosphorus fertilizers increase the level of phosphorus in the soil. Overuse
of these fertilizers reduces the fertility of the soil and is also harmful to the microorganisms present
in the soil. When these are washed away into the nearby water bodies, they are hazardous to
aquatic life. During the shipping of food from farms to cities, the amount of phosphorus that is
washed away in water causes eutrophication. This leads to the growth of algae. These form algal
blooms or die, which is toxic to the aquatic ecosystem.
write in paragraph form as junior in high school
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The phosphorus cycle is a slow biogeochemical process where phosphorus moves through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. It starts with weathering of rocks, releasing phosphate salts that plants absorb, providing essential nutrients for their growth. Animals obtain phosphorus by consuming plants or herbivores. When plants and animals die, decomposers return phosphorus to the soil and water, completing the cycle. However, human activities, such as the overuse of phosphate fertilizers, disrupt this cycle. Excess phosphorus enters water bodies, causing eutrophication, leading to harmful algal blooms that threaten aquatic life.