RIVERA, John Renzel TA L A N D R O N , J o h n N o e l M O N TA N T E , R i z l a n d

G A L A M I T O N , D a n Ly n d o n
FA B R I A , K e v i n

What is Phosphorus?
Phosphorus is a chemical element with symbol P and atomic number 15. A multivalent nonmetal of the nitrogen group, phosphorus as a mineral is almost always present in its maximally oxidised state, as inorganic phosphate rocks. Elemental phosphorus exists in two major formswhite phosphorus and red phosphorusbut due to its high reactivity, phosphorus is never found as a free element on Earth.

White phosphorus is a material made from a common allotrope of the chemical element phosphorus that is used in smoke, tracer, illumination and incendiary munitions. Other common names include WP, and the slang term "Willie Pete," which is dated from its use in Vietnam, and is still sometimes used in military jargon. As an incendiary weapon, white phosphorus burns fiercely and can set cloth, fuel, ammunition and other combustibles on fire, and cause serious burns or death.

Red phosphorus may be formed by heating white phosphorus to 250 C (482 F) or by exposing white phosphorus to sunlight. Red phosphorus exists as an amorphous network. Upon further heating, the amorphous red phosphorus crystallizes. Red phosphorus does not ignite in air at temperatures below 240 C, whereas white phosphorus ignites at about 30 C. Red phosphorus can be converted to white phosphorus upon heating to 260 C, as can be seen when one strikes a match.

What is Phosphorus Cycle?

The phosphorus cycle is long and slow, but it is an important part of the environment. It helps plants grow, and is used by farmers to fertilize them. When animals eat the plants, they absorb phosphates.

 enters the environment from rocks or deposits laid down on the earth many years ago. The phosphate rock is commercially available form is called apatite. Other deposits may be from fossilized bone or bird droppings called guano. Weathering and erosion of rocks gradually releases phosphorus as phosphate ions which are soluble in water. Land plants need phosphate as a fertilizer or nutrient.

 is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Unlike many other biogeochemical cycles, the atmosphere does not play a significant role in the movements of phosphorus, because phosphorus and phosphorusbased compounds are usually solids at the typical ranges of temperature and pressure found on Earth.

HYDROSPHERE

The hydrosphere is the liquid water component of the Earth. It includes the oceans, seas, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

LITHOSPHERE

The lithosphere is the solid shell of the planet Earth. That means the crust and the part of the upper mantle that behaves elastically on time scales of thousands of years or greater.

BIOSPHERE

The part of the earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms exist or that is capable of supporting life.

Atmosphere

The Phosphorus cycle has no involvement in the atmosphere, because it does not naturally form in gaseous forms.

Hydrosphere
Phosphorous usually enters the hydrosphere by the phosphate salt rocks found on the ocean floor. As the water erodes them away, the phosphorous escapes. Marine organisms take some of the phosphorus particles in order to live and grow.

Lithosphere Phosphorous is presented in the form of rocks and soil. Phosphates go down to the bottom of the ocean and forms rocks over million of years. Phosphates enters the soil when plant and animal matter decompose, the cycle repeats.

 Phosphorous is used for organisms to build DNA, RNA, and ATP. Phosphate is in plants, which the herbivores eat, which the herbivores are eaten by the carnivores. Than phosphorus is released back into the soil by the herbivores and carnivores waste.

Biosphere

 Phosphates also limit plant-growth in marine ecosystems because they are not very water soluble. Animals absorb phosphates by eating plants or plant-eating animals. P travels through plants and animals faster than through rocks and sediments. When a plant/animal dies, it decays, putting phosphates back in the soil or water basins again It will end up in rocks again, then after millions of years it will eventually be released again through weathering!