Natural source of P
Rocks
Id: Two major P reservoirs
Rocks and Sediments
P cycle compared to C/H2O/N cycles
Very slow because it takes a long time for P minerals(Phosphates) to be weathered out of rocks and washed out. Also there is no gas phase of P as it does not enter the atmosphere.
is P limiting or excess
Limiting nutrient.
Sig: P in organisms
Needed for DNA, ATP, bone and tooth
Synthetic sources of P
Humans mining P out of the ground and add them to synthetic fertilizers and detergents
Cons of synthetic fertilizers
Runoff can carry these synthetic fertilizers into water.
Def: Assimilation
Phosphorus is absorbs by plant roots into their tissues while animals eat plants or other animals to assimilate P.
Def: Mineralization
Animal waste, plant matter and biomass is broken down by bacteria and decomposers that return phosphate back into the soil.
How are P, N and C cycle mini loops alike?
P: Assimilation & Mineralization
N: Assimilation & Ammonification
C: Photosynthesis & Respiration
Def: Sedimentation
Phosphorus precipitates out of water forming solid bits of phosphates that fall to the bottom. as sediment. As P sediments are compressed by water into sedimentary rocks
Def: Geological Uplift
Tectonic plate collision forces rock layers up from the ocean floor to form mountains. This exposes the phosphate rich rocks. P cycle restarts with weathering of rocks.
Def: Weathering
Phosphate rocks are slowly weathered by rain and wind to break off small pieces so phosphate rich rocks which are then released into soil and water.
Acronym for P cycle
All My Sisters Get Wild
