1.6

Question 1

the phosphorus cycle

Answer 1

movement of phosphorus atoms and molecules between sources, sinks, reservoirs
-rocks and sediments containing phosphorus minerals =major reservoirs

Question 2

is the phosphorus cycle slow or fast?

Answer 2

the phosphorus cycle is very slow compared to other cycles

Question 3

phosphorus sources

Answer 3

-major natural source: weathering rocks that contain P minerals

Question 4

(phosphorus) synthetic

Answer 4

(human) sources of P = mining phosphate minerals and adding to products like synthetic fertilizers and detergents/cleaners

Question 5

assimilation

Answer 5

P is absorbed by plant roots and assimilate into tissues, animals assimilate by eating plants or other animals

Question 6

excretion/decomposition

Answer 6

animal waste, plant matter and other biomass is broken down by bacteria/soil decomposers that return phosphate to soil

Question 7

sedimentation

Answer 7

phosphorus doesn’t dissolve very well in water; much of it forms solid bits of phosphate that fall into the bottom as sediment. Phosphorus can be composed into sediment rock over long time periods by pressure of over lasting water

Question 8

geologic uplift

Answer 8

tectonic plate collision forcing up rock layers that form mountains; P cycle can start over again with weathering of P from rock