The Phosphorus Cycle

-what is phosphorus? Its properties?

-the role of phosphorus?
-the process and stages of phosphorus
-how mans activities influence the cycling of materials in the cycle

Phosphorus is found on Earth in many compound forms & is located in water, soil and sediments. It does not
have a gaseous stage and, as a result, is a sedimentary cycle. This is so because at the normal temperatures and
pressure of the earth, phosphorus does not take on a gaseous state. However, small amounts of phosphoric acid
may be present in the atmosphere at times (e.g acid rain) Phosphorus in soil is in small amounts & this limits
plant growth (thus why we tend to add phosphate fertilisers: when it is not enough in soil this causes a decrease
in crop yield).Phosphorus is critical for cellular development in both plants and animals. Animals get PO4 3-
via. eating plants and/or herbivores. This cycle moves through rocks, water, soil, sediments & organisms. It is
also one of the slowest biogeochemical cycles.

Weathering
The biggest Phosphorus reservoir ( and the starting point of the cycle) is in sedimentary rocks. When rain and
weathering occurs, rocks release (inorganic) phosphorus ions ( and other minerals) which eventually end up in
soils and water bodies. Phosphorus can also enter the cycle via. deposits, such as fossilised bones & guano.
With respect to Phosphates being distributed into rivers, streams, oceans, etc. erosion is responsible & not
leaching since phosphates are not very soluble.

Excretion & Decomposition

Plants absorb inorganic phosphates from soil and these can are transferred to animals when herbivorous animals
feed, and in turn when secondary & tertiary carnivores feed on the herbivores. Phosphates that have been
absorbed become incorporated into organic molecules e.g DNA. When plants & animals die & decay, phosphate
is returned to the soil. This also occurs via. excretion of animals (phosphates that are absorbed by animal tissue
return as well) Bacteria in the soil break down the organic phosphate into inorganic forms, and this is known as
Mineralisation.

Aquatic
Phosphorus is also a limiting factor in aquatic ecosystems since its quantity affects the ecosystems productivity,
and it enters water bodies via. Weathering, erosion, sedimentation runoff (Phosphorus can bind with soil
particles*), sewage discharge, fertiliser runoff, etc.
Aquatic plants & algae use the phosphorus and this is transferred along the food chain in a similar manner to
that of the terrestrial food chain. Too little phosphorus results in slow or stunted growth, while too much can
result in eutrophication. Eutrophication can deprive organisms, e.g fish, of dissolved oxygen and excess plant
growth also limits sunlight that reaches organisms dwelling beneath the surface.

Dissolved Phosphates & Geologic Uplift

Phosphates have a tendency to settle at the bottom of oceans, lakes, etc. When the sediments are shallow, then if
they are stirred up the phosphates would re-enter the cycle, but if there are deeper sediments then phosphates
would accumulate on the continental shelves as insoluble deposits that would become available via. Orogenesis
(rock upliftment) which may take multiple years. This is so because most times bacteria that have a role with
phosphates often cannot survive at such depths. It has been found that it is more common for aquatic organisms
to receive phosphorus from erosion rather than the stirring-up of phosphates.

Ways Phosphorus Is Available to Plants

A lot of it is in the form of sediments & rocks, therefore it is unavailable & although there is a lot of it found in
the soil, it is still unavailable to plants.
(I) bacteria convert plant-available phosphates (inorganic) to an organic form; this is the reverse process of
Mineralisation (mineralisation doesnt occur in large quantities)
(ii) *Adsorption/Absorption is when the inorganic phosphates bind w/ or are adsorbed to soil particles, making
it unsuitable for plant use. Desorption is when the adsorbed phosphates is released from the bond state.
(iii) pH- for plants to uptake inorganic phosphates, they (phosphates) need to be soluble. If pH of soil is <4 or
>8 then it becomes less available since it starts tying w/ other compounds.

Aquatic ecosystems: springtime inorganic phosphates released from sediments due to convection
currents of the warming waters; phosphate levels are high & are converted to organic form.
Summertime plants & algae begin to die, bacteria decomposes them = inorganic phosphates released
into ecosystem

How Human Activities Influence The Cycling of Materials

Fertiliser (commercial, synthetic) - since the amount of phosphorus in soils is small ( it is a limiting
factor for plant growth), humans tend to apply phosphate fertiliser. The production of the fertiliser
itself may have negative effects since the phosphate has to be retrieved from Apatite deposits
(commercial phosphate rock- Calcium Phosphate). Large amounts of H2SO4 are used to convert the
phosphate rock to superphosphate fertiliser.
Sometimes plants cannot utilise all of the applied fertiliser & instead it is lost in water runoff. When too
much of phosphate enter water bodies, Eutrophication occurs. Manure may be used a form of fertiliser
too & too much application can result in excess runoff. In some cases, when too much is applied on
frozen ground, it can be transported in run off during the spring thaw. Improper treatment or disposal
of the sewage can have similar effects.
Eutrophication affects both aquatic plants & animals. This brings excess plant growth e.g Algal
Blooms, & when algae die and decay, bacteria which decomposes it would consume large amounts
of the dissolved oxygen, thus depriving organisms, like fish, and creating dead zones. This can lead
to the water becoming Anoxic (no dissolved oxygen left). Due to this, Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S),
Ammonia (NH3) and Thioalcohol (RSH) can become present and form foul odours. Blockage of
sunlight to benthic-dwelling plants & animals occurs too.

Hypertrophication or Cultural Eutrophication is the term that describes an ecosystems

response (usually increase in primary production) to the addition of either natural or artificial
substances (e.g phosphates, nitrates) via. Fertilisers or sewage into the aquatic system.
(https://www.boundless.com/microbiology/textbooks/boundless-microbiology-textbook/microbial-ecology-
16/nutrient-cycles-195/the-phosphorus-cycle-983-489/)
High Ammonia concentration can lead to reduced organism growth, making organisms more susceptible to
disease, which can be fatal. Unionised ammonia (NH3) is toxic to the fish & is dominant when pH levels of
water are high. Ionised Ammonia (NH4 +) is nontoxic except when it is at high levels. It is dominant when
water pH is low. The increased growth of some species of algae can result in the production of toxins too.
Detergents can also cause large amounts of phosphates to be deposited in waterways & bodies. (this can
also lead to eutrophication)
Deforestation: when large numbers of trees are cut down, a lot of the topsoil becomes more exposed and
loose. As a result, runoff increases, leading to more phosphates entering water ways.