Phosphorus Cycle Flashcards
1
Q
Phosphate mining
A
humans remove phosphates from underground for fertilizers
2
Q
decomposition
A
organic material breaks down, returning organic phosphorus to the soil
3
Q
excretion
A
animal waste returns organic phosphorus to the soil
4
Q
geologic uplift
A
exposing underground rocks to the surface
5
Q
burial and compaction
A
organisms are compacted into sediments to form rock
6
Q
erosion
A
rocks or soil are broken down, transporting phosphorus across land or into water
7
Q
ingestion
A
animals eat plants and other organic materials containing phosphates
8
Q
absorption
A
plants absorb phosphates through their roots
