Phosphorus Cycle: Stages and Importance

The phosphorus cycle is the process by which phosphorus moves through rocks, water,
soil, and organisms. This cycle, unlike other biogeochemical cycles, does not pass
through the air because there are not many gaseous phosphorus-based compounds.

The main reserve of phosphorus is found in the water of rivers, lakes and oceans
(hydrosphere), but also in sediments and rocks ( lithosphere ). Phosphorus is essential
for the growth of plants and animals, as well as for the microbes that live in the soil, so
it is gradually depleted over time.

The main biological function of phosphorus is to form part of important biomolecules

such as nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), some proteins and lipids. In fact, DNA strands
are formed by phosphate ester bonds.

The phosphorus cycle is an extremely slow process, since phosphorus remains in rocks
and sediments for a long time. Rain and erosion help wash phosphorus from rocks,
while in the soil organic matter absorbs phosphorus to be used for various biological
processes.
Like all biogeochemical cycles, there is no beginning or end to the phosphorus cycle,
and certainly no single direction of movement. Earth cycles are complex networks
where resources move in multiple directions.

Stages of the cycle

– Over time, rain and wind erode rocks, causing the release of phosphate ions and other
minerals. This inorganic phosphate is distributed in soil and water.

– Plants take inorganic phosphate from the soil through their roots; In this way they
incorporate phosphates into their biological molecules (nucleic acids and proteins), thus
allowing their growth and development.

– Plants can be consumed by herbivorous animals. Once they enter the organism, the
molecules containing phosphorus are degraded and incorporated again into the organic
molecules of the herbivorous organism.

– Herbivorous animals can be consumed by carnivores, and in this way they transfer
phosphorus atoms to the next level of the food chain. The phosphates that were
absorbed by these animals are returned to the soil through excretion.

– When the plant or animal dies, its tissues are decomposed by another group of
organisms called decomposers . These microbes degrade the remains and, in this way,
the organic phosphate is returned to the soil.

– Phosphorus in soil can end up in various bodies of water and eventually end up in the
ocean. Once there, it can be incorporated into aquatic organisms or settle for long
periods.

References

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Ecosystems (4th ed.). Blackwell Publishing.
2. Chapman, J. & Reiss, M. (1999). Ecology: Principles and Applications (2nd
ed.). Cambridge University Press.
3. Enger, E., Ross, F. & Bailey, D. (2007). Concepts in Biology (12th ed.).
McGraw-Hill.
4. Manahan, S. (2004). Environmental Chemistry (8th ed.). CRC Press.
5. Miller, G. & Spoolman, S. (2007). Environmental Science: Problems,
Connections and Solutions (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.