9/24 Step 2 Phosphorus Cycle Quiz
Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
/
1
Match the terms with their de nitions
1
Decomposition
Marine sedimentation
Erosion
Animal consumption
Rocks and soil
Phosphates in water
Plant absorbtion



The main phosphorus
reservoir
Water moving over rocks,
washing phosphorus into
rivers and streams
Where phosphorus mixes
with oxygen to make
phosphates

Water containing
phosphates is absorbed

Plants are eaten to get the
phosphate they need


Phosphorus is broken
down in waste and
returned to water or soil
Large amounts of
phosphorus are carried by
waterways into the ocean
where it concentrates at
the bottom as rocks
/
2
Diagram the phosphorous cycle
1
3
1
Describe how humanity has impacted the phosphorus cycle?
Make sure your answer has all of the following parts:
1. What is the human impact/activity?
2. What part of the phosphorus cycle does it a ect?
3. How does it a ect that part of the phosphorus cycle
(increase/decrease)?
4. Why does it a ect that part of the phosphorus cycle?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
/