1.6 Phosphorus Cycle

limiting nutrient

this a result of the extremely slow cycle and it means that plant growth in ecosystems is limited

phosphorus

needed by all organisms for DNA, ATP, bone and tooth enamel

synthetic sources of Phosphorus

mining phosphate minerals and adding to products like synthetic fertilizers and detergents

assimilation

when phosphorus is absorbed by plant roots which get eaten by animals to gain P

sedimentation

when phosphate doesn’t dissolve well in water and forms solid bits that fall to the bottom

geological uplift

tectonic plate collision forcing up rock layers that form mountains

geological uplift importance

p can start over again with weathering and release of phosphate from rock

eutrophication

excess nitrogen/phosphorus that causes algae growth