Phosphorus Cycle Flashcards
Lithospheric Form
Phosphates in the soil, e.g. phosphorus rich rocks such as guano.
Hydrospheric Form
Dissolved Phosphate Ions
Biospheric Form
Bones, DNA, and Cell Membranes
Which form of sphere is phosphorus not present in?
Atmosphere
Guano
Accumulated excretement of birds, commonly used as fertiliser.
Erosion & Weathering the cycle
can cause release of phosphorus from rocks, but also leaching of phosphorus into water bodies due to soil erosion.
Phosphorus in water
marine plants with phosphorus are consumed by marine animals, and all eventually decompose into sediments (lithosphere).
Absorption by roots
plants absorb phosphates to use them in metabolic processes.
How do plants absorb phosphorus
They have symbiotic relations with mycorrhizal fungi, which increases the surface area for phosphorus absorption
Decomposition in Phosphorus cycle
breakdown of phosphorylated protein in DOM releases phosphates that often are made soluble by soil microbes, so they can be absorbed by plants
Animals accumulating Phosphorus
Food chain where organisms can eat plants carry phosphorus, and this transfer carries down along the food chain.
Plant / consumer waste
phosphorus ends up being decomposed by soil biota such as bacteria and fungi. This releases phosphorus back into the soil, and therefore it can be re-absorbed by other plants.
Inorganic fertilisers on the phosphorus cycle
inorganic fertilisers mobilise phosphorus much faster at greater volumes, overwhelming plants and then runs off into water bodies etc
Mountain Building of Phosphorus
Sediment is uplifted to the surface to then be exposed by weathering processes.
Mining of Phosphate Rocks
Most phosphorus is mined as as calcium phosphate then treated to produce ammonium phosphate, which is more soluble.
