Phosphorus Cycle

• Phosphorus is an element that can be found in several compound forms in water, soil, and sediments.
• It is an essential nutrient needed for the growth of plants and animals as well.
• It has a vital role in cell development and is a key component of molecules that store energy.
• Phosphorus occurs in nature as the phosphate ion.
• In addition to phosphate runoff as a result of human activity, natural surface runoff also takes place. It is leached from phosphate-containing rock by weathering, thus sending phosphates into rivers, lakes, and the ocean. This rock has its origins in the ocean.
• Rocks when in contact with rainwater, release phosphate ions and other minerals over time.
• This inorganic phosphate is then distributed in soils and water.
• Plants then take up inorganic phosphate from the soil, and these plants may then be consumed by animals.
• The phosphate is then incorporated into organic molecules such as DNA, and when plants or animals die and decay, the organic phosphate is returned to the soil.
• Bacteria in the soil then breaks down the organic matter into forms of phosphate that are absorbable by plants. It is also a process called mineralisation.
• Phosphorus in the soil can then end up in waterways and oceans and can be incorporated into sediments over time.

Source: NCERT