1.6 Phosphorous Cycle

Geological Uplift

Tectonic plates collide forcing up rock layers that form mountains; P cycle can start all over again with weathering and release of phosphate from rock

Sedimentation

Phosphate doesn’t dissolve well into water and much of it forms solid bits of phosphate that falls to the bottom as sediment

P sediments are then compressed into sedimentary rock over long periods of time by pressure of overlying water

Why is the phosphorous cycle so slow?

It doesn’t have a gas phase

Eutrophication(Too much N&P)

B/c they are limiting nutrients in plant growth, extra input of N&P leads to eutrophication which fuels algal growth

Algae blooms cover the surface of the water, blocking sunlight and killing plants below the surface

Algae eventually die off; bacteria that break down that algae use up O2 in water leading to hypoxia and anoxia

Causes fish and marine life to die because of lack of oxygen → bacteria use more oxygen to decompose dead aquatic animals (positive feedback loop)