What is the phosphorus cycle?

Phosphorus cycles through both the abiotic and biotic parts of the Earth
system, especially in the biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Phosphorus is found in the Earth’s crust, primarily in
sedimentary rocks that contain phosphate (PO43-) minerals. As these
rocks weather and erode, dissolved phosphates enter the soil and travel
via rivers to the ocean. Primary producers (photosynthesizing organisms),
both on land and in the ocean, absorb the phosphate needed to produce
organic compounds necessary for the survival and growth of all organisms.
The phosphate acquired by organisms is returned to the soil or water
through animal excretions (poop) and through the decomposition of dead
organisms. Humans greatly influence the phosphorus cycle through the
release of mined phosphates into ecosystems, especially in the form of
fertilizers, but also from detergents and sewage waste. There are no major
gaseous forms of phosphorus, so aside from wind distributing
small particles of dust containing phosphorus, only very small amounts of
phosphorus move through the atmosphere.

What is the phosphorus cycle?

Phosphorus cycles through both the abiotic and biotic parts of the Earth
system, especially in the biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
Phosphorus is found in the Earth’s crust, primarily in sedimentary rocks
that contain phosphate (PO43-) minerals. As these rocks weather and
erode, dissolved phosphates enter the soil and travel via rivers to the
ocean. Primary producers (photosynthesizing organisms), both on land
and in the ocean, absorb the phosphate needed to produce organic
compounds necessary for the survival and growth of all organisms. The
phosphate acquired by organisms is returned to the soil or water through
animal excretions (poop) and through the decomposition of dead
organisms. Humans greatly influence the phosphorus cycle through the
release of mined phosphates into ecosystems, especially in the form of
fertilizers, but also from detergents and sewage waste. There are no
major gaseous forms of phosphorus, so aside from wind distributing
small particles of dust containing phosphorus, only very small amounts of
phosphorus move through the atmosphere.

Pictured here is an algal bloom that occurred in Lake Eerie in 2011 after
rains released fertilizers and sewage into the lake which are rich in
phosphorus and other nutrients. Credit: NASA via USGS

Phosphorus levels can vary significantly in aquatic and terrestrial

habitats, and can be affected by various human activities and
environmental phenomena, including:
Phosphate mine in Idaho. These rocks formed around 265 million years
ago where organic compounds, rich in phosphorous, accumulated in an
ancient sea. Credit: GAO via USDA

The rock cycle, especially by rates of weathering and erosion. Different

rock types have considerably different concentrations of phosphorus.
Thus, the type of rock that is weathered plays a major role in determining
the concentration of phosphorous (and other nutrients) in soils,
freshwater environments, and coastal waters. The phosphorous levels, in
turn, influence the biodiversity of plants and animals are present.

Increased precipitation can increase erosion and thus increase the

transport of phosphorous (and other nutrients) into soils, freshwater
environments, and coastal waters.
Deforestation, habitat loss, and erosion can reduce the nutrient levels in
soils. The process of mining phosphate and the production of fertilizers
also introduces pollutants into the environment, which alters habitats.
The use of fertilizers for agricultural activities typically increases the
amount of chemical nutrients in soil or water, especially phosphorous
(and nitrogen). These nutrients increase plant and algae growth.
However, increased nutrient is not always a good thing. For example, in
aquatic environments nutrient-rich runoff can cause large numbers of
algae to grow. When these algae die they are consumed by bacteria
which can reduce oxygen levels in the water, killing fish and other
species. This process is known as eutrophication.
Changes in ocean circulation patterns can alter the concentration and
distribution of nutrients that are transported offshore. Dissolved chemical
nutrients, especially phosphorus (and nitrogen) are critical for marine
organisms, including the growth of plankton and algae which form the
base of most ocean food webs. When organisms die they sink to the
bottom of the ocean where their nutrients are released as they decay.
These nutrients can be returned to the surface by ascending currents
through a process known as upwelling, which is caused by offshore
winds. Regions with coastal upwelling have highly productive
ecosystems because of the nutrient rich upwelled water.
Changes in atmospheric circulation patterns can alter the concentration
and distribution of dust (airborne particles) that contain phosphorous
(and other nutrients) for life on land and in aquatic environments.