biogeochemical cycles - phosphorous cycle

phosporous cycle

phosporous in the enviro: 

• weathering - phosphorous is found in the rocks in abundance 
• absorption by plants - phosphate salts dissovled in water are absorbed by plants 
• absorption by animals - animals absorb phosphorous from the plants/by consuming plant eating animals 

phosphorus cycle - key steps: 

• rain + weathering cause rock to release phosphate ions, this inorganic phosphate is then distributed in soils + water 
• plants take up inorganic phosphate from the soil through symbiotic relationship with Mycorrihizae
• phosphorous important for biological functions - DNA, cell metabolisms
• the plants then be consumed by animals, once in plant/animal the phosphate is incorporated into organic molecules e.g. dna 
• when the plant/animal dies, it decays + the inorganic phosphate is returned to the soil 
• within the soil organic forms of phosphate be made available to plants by bacteria that break down organic matter to inorganic forms of phosphorous - process is mineralisation 
• phosphorous in soil end up in waterways + ocean, once their it be incorporated into sediments over time 

where is it found? 

• phosphate is found in rocks +dissolved in oceans into phosphate ions 
• found in water (hydropshere), soil + sediments (lithosphere)
• moves in cyce through rocks, water, soil…