The phosphorus cycle

Ap daily video 1.6

why is phosphorus important

important component of nucleic acids and energy storing molecules (ATP), producers need phosphorus to grow, contained in fertilizer

does the phosphorus cycle include the atmosphere

no, phosphorus stays in the soil and oceans

what are the phosphorus reservoirs

streams, lakes, ocean, aquatic food webs, soil

what processes does phosphorus go through

assimilation(plants transfer phosphorus into something that can be eaten by animals)

runoff(phosphorus is moved from the soil to the ocean/water)

lithification(phosphorus enters the soil/lithosphere/ground)

weathering(rain and wind release phosphorus from rock into soil and oceans)

what is the largest reservoir for phosphorus

rock

why is phosphorus a limiting factor

phosphorus is less available to producers than other nutrients(nitrogen/carbon)