1. The Phosphorus Cycle!

2. is an essential nutrient for plants and animals. It is a part of DNA/RNA-molecules, molecules that store energy (ATP and ADP) and fats of cell membranes. P also helps build parts of the human and animal body, like bones and teeth. Phosphorus

3. P can be found on earth in water, soil and sediments but cannot be found in the air as a gas. It is usually a liquid cycling through water, soil and sediments. In the atmosphere, it can be found as very small dust particles. moves slowly from deposits on land and in sediments, to living organisms, and then much more slowly back into the soil and water sediment.

4. The phosphorus cycle is the slowest cycle! P is mostly found in rock formations and ocean sediments as phosphate salts. Weathering releases the salts from rocks and dissolve in soil water and are absorbed by plants. The amount of P in soil is small, so it limits plant growth, which is why humans use phosphate fertilizers on farmlands.

5. Phosphates also limit plant-growth in marine ecosystems because they are not very water soluble. Animals absorb phosphates by eating plants or plant-eating animals. P travels through plants and animals faster than through rocks and sediments. When a plant/animal dies, it decays, putting phosphates back in the soil or water basins again It will end up in rocks again, then after millions of years it will eventually be released again through weathering!

6. And the cycle continues…. DUN DUN DUNNNNNN…… MUAHAHAHAHA! Want to watch a video presentation on the phosphorus cycle?