The phosphorus cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that involves the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Unlike many other biogeochemical cycles, the atmosphere does not play a significant role in the movement of phosphorus, because phosphorus and phosphorus-based materials do not enter the gaseous phase readily,[1] as the main source of gaseous phosphorus, phosphine, is only produced in isolated and specific conditions.[2] Therefore, the phosphorus cycle is primarily examined studying the movement of orthophosphate (PO4)3-, the form of phosphorus that is most commonly seen in the environment, through terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.[3]
Living organisms require phosphorus, a vital component of DNA, RNA, ATP, etc., for their proper functioning.[4] Phosphorus also enters in the composition of phospholipids present in cell membranes. Plants assimilate phosphorus as phosphate and incorporate it into organic compounds. In animals, inorganic phosphorus in the form of apatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F)) is also a key component of bones, teeth (tooth enamel), etc.[5] On the land, phosphorus gradually becomes less available to plants over thousands of years, since it is slowly lost in runoff. Low concentration of phosphorus in soils reduces plant growth and slows soil microbial growth, as shown in studies of soil microbial biomass. Soil microorganisms act as both sinks and sources of available phosphorus in the biogeochemical cycle. Short-term transformation of phosphorus is chemical, biological, or microbiological. In the long-term global cycle, however, the major transfer is driven by tectonic movement over geologic time and weathering of phosphate containing rock such as apatite.[6] Furthermore, phosphorus tends to be a limiting nutrient in aquatic ecosystems.[7] However, as phosphorus enters aquatic ecosystems, it has the possibility to lead to over-production in the form of eutrophication, which can happen in both freshwater and saltwater environments.[8][9][10]
Human activities have caused major changes to the global phosphorus cycle primarily through the mining and subsequent transformation of phosphorus minerals for use in fertilizer and industrial products. Some phosphorus is also lost as effluent through the mining and industrial processes as well.
- ^ Schlesinger WH, Bernhardt ES (August 7, 2020). Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change (4th ed.). Elsevier. pp. 501–504. ISBN 978-0-12-814608-8.
- ^ "Phosphine". American Chemical Society. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ "5.6 Phosphorus | Monitoring & Assessment | US EPA". archive.epa.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
- ^ US EPA OW (June 9, 2023). "Indicators: Phosphorus". Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ Foster BL, Tompkins KA, Rutherford RB, Zhang H, Chu EY, Fong H, et al. (December 2008). "Phosphate: Known and potential roles during development and regeneration of teeth and supporting structures". Birth Defects Res C. 84 (4): 281–314. doi:10.1002/bdrc.20136. PMC 4526155. PMID 19067423.
- ^ Schlesinger WH (2020). Biogeochemistry: an analysis of global change (4 ed.). SanDiego: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-814608-8.
- ^ Rabalais NN (1 March 2002). "Nitrogen in Aquatic Ecosystems". Journal of the Human Environment. 31 (2): 102–112. Bibcode:2002Ambio..31..102R. doi:10.1579/0044-7447-31.2.102. PMID 12077998.
- ^ Schindler DW, Carpenter SR, Chapra SC, Hecky RE, Orihel DM (August 5, 2016). "Reducing Phosphorus to Curb Lake Eutrophication is a Success". Environmental Science & Technology. 50 (17): 8923–8929. Bibcode:2016EnST...50.8923S. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b02204. PMID 27494041 – via ACS Publications.
- ^ Rabalais NN, Turner RE, Wiseman WJ (2002). "Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia, A.K.A. "The Dead Zone"". Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 33 (1): 235–263. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.33.010802.150513. ISSN 0066-4162.
- ^ "Eutrophication". Baltic Sea Action Group. Retrieved 2024-04-14.