Question

How does phosphorus move from the geosphere to the hydrosphere?

Decomposing organic matter releases phosphorus back into the soil.

Bacteria break down phosphorus and release it into the atmosphere.

Plants take up phosphates from the soil.

Weathering and erosion break down phosphate rocks into small sediments that dissolve in water.

Answer 1

The correct statement is:
- Weathering and erosion break down phosphate rocks into small sediments that dissolve in water.

Explanation:
- Weathering (chemical and physical) of phosphate-bearing rocks releases phosphate ions that are carried by runoff and groundwater into rivers, lakes and oceans — that’s how P moves from the geosphere into the hydrosphere.
- Decomposing organic matter does return phosphorus to the soil (recycling within the geosphere/biosphere), not directly into the hydrosphere.
- Plants taking up phosphates moves phosphorus from soil into the biosphere, not into the hydrosphere.
- Bacteria do not release phosphorus into the atmosphere — phosphorus is not a gaseous element under Earth-surface conditions. (Microbial action mineralizes organic P to inorganic phosphate in soil/water.)