Phosphorus Cycle

Definition…
 The phosphorus cycle is the
biogeochemical cycle (how phosphorus is
in between life and earth) that describes
the movement of phosphorus through the
lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
 The atmosphere doesn’t play a significant
role in phosphorus because phosphorus
compounds are solids during the typical
ranges of temperature and pressure
found on Earth.
Phosphorus Cycle
Explanation of the Cycle

 Rocks start out the Phosphorus Cycle.

 When it rains, phosphates are removed
from the rocks and are spread out
through both soils and water.
 Plants use up phosphate ions from the
soil.
 Phosphate moves from the plants to
animals when herbivores eat plants and
carnivores eat plants or herbivores.
Explanation of the Cycle continued….

 Animals release the phosphate into the

ground.
 It is then decomposed by bacteria and
fungi.
 It then goes through the soil or releases
into the water.
 As the rocks are forming they will either
join with phosphate or the phosphate will
go into the roots of plants and start the
cycle over again.
Facts!

 Phosphorus is element number 15.

 It differs from other biogeochemical cycles
because it does not include a gas phase.
 Humans can alter the phosphorus cycle by the
cutting of tropical rain forests and through the
use of agricultural fertilizers.
 Agricultural runoff provides much of the
phosphate found in waterways.
 At one time the use of laundry detergents
contributed to significant concentrations of
phosphates in rivers, lakes, and streams, but
most detergents no longer include phosphorus as
an ingredient.
More Facts…

 Phosphorus is one of the most limiting

elements in the ecological system.
 Phosphorus is involved in energy transfer
and in the passage of the genetic
information in the DNA.
 Because of phosphorus’ high reactivity, it
exists in combined forms of other
elements.
 Like calcium, phosphorus is important to
the vertebrates. In the human body, 80%
of phosphorus is found in teeth and
bones.