37.20 Phosphorous Cycle Flashcards
Why is the phosphorous cycle unique?
Because it is the only biogeochemical cycle that has a chemical that has no gaseous form
What form is phosphorous cycled in?
Phosphate
Chemical Formula of Phosphate
PO34-
What do plants use phosphorous for?
DNA and ATP
What is phosphorous also used in?
nucleic acids, phospholipids, and as a mineral component of bones and teeth of vertebrates
Is phosphorous cycled globally or locally
Locally because it does not have a gaseous form. Therefore it has no atmospheric component.
What is the only source of phosphorous
rocks
How many steps are there in the Phosphorous cycle?
6
What is the first step of the Phosphorous cycle
1) The weathering of rocks adds inorganic phosphate to the soil, water
What is the first step of the Phosphorous cycle
1) The weathering of rocks adds inorganic phosphate to the soil, water
What is the second step of the Phosphorous cycle
2) Plants incorporate the dissolved phosphate ions in the water/soil and build them into organic compounds
What is the third step of the Phosphorous cycle
3) Consumers obtain phosphorus in organic form by eating plants
What is the fourth step of the Phosphorous cycle
4) Phosphates are returned to the soil by the action of decomposers on animal waste and the remains of dead plants and animals
What is the fifth step of the Phosphorous cycle
5) Some phosphate drains from terrestrial ecosystems into the sea, where it may settle and eventually become part of new rocks.
What is the sixth step of the Phosphorous cycle
6) Geologic processes uplift the rocks and expose them to weathering, which produces inorganic phosphates
Why is phosphate known as a limiting factor
because its availability is low because of soluble phosphate that can quickly bind to soil particles
Large amounts of phosphate pollutes _____ ecosytems
aquatic
Why does the amount of phosphorous in terrestrial ecosystems gradually diminish over time
Because phosphates are transferred from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems more rapidly than they are replaced
Over the short term, why does phosphorus cycling tend to be localized, whereas carbon and nitrogen cycle globally?
Because phosphorus is cycled almost entirely within the soil rather than transferred over long distances via the atmosphere
