THE
PHOSPHORU
S CYCLE
INSTRUCTOR: MS. KIMBERLEY
GROUP MEMBERS
PATRICE HARRY
BIBI AZIZ
OBJECTIVES
 OVERVIEW OF THE
PHOSPHORUS
CYCLE
 DISCUSS HUMAN
INFLUENCE ON THE
PHOSPHORUS
HUMAN
OUTLINE
01
02
What is the phosphorus
cycle?
03
Primary phosphorus
sources of the cycle
Stages of the phosphorus
cycle
04
05
Importance of the
phosphorus cycle
Human factors that
infleunce the Phosphorus
cycle
WHAT IS THE PHOSPHORUS CYCLE?
 Defined as a biogeochemical process by which phosphorus
is carried through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and
biosphere (BYJUS, 2019).
 Phosphates cycle occurs rapidly within the bodies of plants
and animals but exhibit slow movement through both soil and
oceans (Amruta, n.d.).
Primary phosphorus sources of the
cycle
 Nonliving sources:
 Rocks, water, soil, and sediments (Mukherjee, 2020).
 Living sources :
 Plants and animals (Mukherjee, 2020).
Stages of the
phosphorus
cycle
01
Weathering
 Over an extended timeframe, sedimentary rocks
containing phosphates, primarily in the form of
PO43-,
undergo
phosphate
ions
erosion,
from
the
releasing
inorganic
weathered
rocks
(Mukherjee, 2020). This natural process, known as
weathering, represents the initial and crucial stage
of the phosphorus cycle (Mukherjee, 2020).
02
Plant-Driven
Mineralization
 Plants play a central role in the phosphorus cycle by
assimilating organic phosphorus from soil and
groundwater and transforming it into an inorganic
state for their metabolic needs (Mukherjee, 2020).
This
process,
known
as
mineralization,
is
instrumental in the cycling of phosphorus within
ecosystems (Mukherjee, 2020).
03
Assimilation
by Animal
Life
 Herbivorous and carnivorous creatures, including
humans, assimilate phosphorus as part of their diet
when they consume these plants (Mukherjee, 2020).
This biological process is termed assimilation, and
animals may also acquire phosphorus from water
sources (Mukherjee, 2020).
04
Decomposition by
Microbial Activity
 Microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and fungi,
are responsible for the decomposition of organic
phosphates, converting them back into an inorganic
state
(Mukherjee,
2020).
These
inorganic
phosphorus compounds are then reintroduced into
the soil and water systems (Mukherjee, 2020).
05
Geological Uplift through
Tectonic Forces
 Sedimentary rocks containing phosphorus can be
shifted from aquatic environments to terrestrial
regions through geological uplift, driven by tectonic
forces (Mukherjee, 2020).
 The phosphorus held in these sediments is released
back into the environment through the weathering
process, thereby concluding the phosphorus cycle
(Mukherjee, 2020).
Image showing the
phosphorus cycle (Amruta,
n.d.).
Importance of the phosphorus cycle
 Phosphorus is a fundamental building
 Phosphorus is an important component
block in the structure of nucleotides and
of bones and the enamel that covers
nucleic acids, including the genetic
mammalian teeth (Mukherjee, 2020).
material DNA and RNA (Mukherjee,
2020).
Importance of the phosphorus cycle
 Phosphorus is a critical component of
phospholipids
found
in
biological
membranes, such as the cell membrane
and are integral to membrane structure
and function (Mukherjee, 2020).
 Phosphorus is involved in the formation
of
the
exoskeletons
that
provide
structural support for insects (Mukherjee,
2020).
Importance of the phosphorus cycle
 Phosphorus
functions
as
a
buffer,
assisting in the preservation of a steady
physiochemical
(Mukherjee, 2020).
environment
 They are also an important component of
ATP (BYJUS, 2019).
Human Effects
on the
Phosphorous
cycle
Human activities that influences the phosphorous cycle:
 Commercial of synthetic fertilizers
 Mining droplets of calcium phosphate
 The use of large amounts of quantities of phosphates entering aquatic systems causing
eutrophication
 Cutting tropical rainforests.
 Detergents contributing to algal blooms.
Application
of Fertilizer
●
A
vital
component
of
fertilizers
used
in
agriculture is phosphorus. Overuse of fertilizers
containing phosphorus, particularly in unneeded
areas, can cause phosphorus to runoff into
bodies of water. This can lead to the unwanted
growth of algae which in turn leads to death of
aquatic plants.
Deforestation and
Soil Erosion
●
Soil erosion is caused by both deforestation
and inadequate land management
techniques.
●
Phosphorus is lost because of erosion and
ends up as soil particles that end up in water
bodies.
Wastewater and
Sewage Discharge
●
Phosphorus is frequently found in wastewater
and human sewage (John,2020)
●
A surplus of phosphorus may be released into
waterways because of improperly treated sewage,
particularly in places with insufficient sewage
treatment facilities. This excess phosphorus can
exacerbate eutrophication by causing problems
similar to those caused by fertilizer runoff.
Application
of Fertilizer
●
The extraction of phosphorus for use in fertilizers
and other industrial processes can disrupt the
natural cycles of phosphorus. This mining activity
may
have
ecosystems
an
and
adverse
upset
effect
the
on
nearby
environment's
phosphorus balance.it leads to hypoxia.
REFERENCES
1.
BYJUS. (2019, October 18). Phosphorus Cycle - Steps And Importance Of Phosphorus Cycle..
https://byjus.com/biology/phosphorus-cycle/
2.
Amruta, P. (n.d.). Phosphorus Cycle - Environment Notes. Prepp. https://prepp.in/news/e-492phosphorus-cycle-environment-notes
3.
Mukherjee, S. (2020, March 3). Phosphorus cycle – Definition, steps, importance, with diagram. Science
Facts. https://www.sciencefacts.net/phosphorus-cycle.html
4.
BD Editors. (2017, June 5). Phosphorus Cycle - Definition, Steps, Human Impact | Biology Dictionary.
Biology Dictionary. https://biologydictionary.net/phosphorus-cycle/
5.
The
Phosphorus
Cycle.
(n.d.).
Www.youtube.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5KqwhX1dvk
Retrieved
November
7,
2023,
from