Steps and Importance of Phosphorus Cycle

Phosphorus is an essential component for the functioning of all creatures that are alive. It is an essential component of the structural framework of DNA and RNA, which it helps to create. They also play a key role in the formation of ATP. Phosphorus is found in the teeth and bones of an individual to an extent of 80%.

The phosphorus cycle is a process that moves at a very slow pace. Phosphorus that is found in rocks can be washed into the soil through a number of different types of weathering processes. Phosphorus is taken up by the organic stuff in the ground, which then makes it available for utilisation in a variety of different biological activities.

The atmosphere does not play a large role in the phosphorus cycle since phosphate and compounds containing phosphorus are only found on land. 

Steps of Phosphorus Cycle 

The following is an outline of the significant stages of the phosphorus cycle: 

1. Weathering
2. Absorption by Plants
3. Absorption by Animals
4. Return to the Environment through Decomposition 

Weathering

Phosphorus can be found in the rocks in very high concentrations. The crust of the earth is where the phosphorus cycle gets its start for this reason. Phosphate salts are extracted from the rocks by breaking them down. These salts are carried away by the water and deposited into the earth, where they combine with the dirt. 

Absorption by Plants

The plants are able to take up the phosphate salts that have been dissolved in the water. On the other hand, the amount of phosphorus that is found in the soil is extremely low. Phosphate fertilisers are spread throughout agricultural area for this very reason by the farmers.

The inorganic phosphorus is taken up by the aquatic plants from the deeper layers of the bodies of water. Phosphate salts, which do not dissolve completely in water, have a negative impact on the growth of plant life in aquatic ecosystems. 

Absorption by Animals

Phosphorus can be obtained by the animals either directly from the plants or indirectly through the consumption of animals that feed on plants. In comparison to rocks, the rate of the phosphorus cycle is quicker in living organisms such as plants and animals. 

Return to the Environment Through Decomposition 

Microorganisms are responsible for the breakdown of dead plants and animals once they have passed away. Phosphorus in its organic form is converted into its inorganic form during this process. The resulting inorganic phosphorus is then returned to the ground and the water supply.

Both the soil and the water will eventually become sediments and rocks, both of which will then weather and release phosphorus. Therefore, the phosphorus cycle begins all over again. 

Human Impact on Phosphorus Cycle

The phosphorus cycle is profoundly affected by a variety of human activities, such as the application of fertilisers and the creation of artificial eutrophication.

Phosphorus levels in the soil are raised as a result of the use of phosphorus fertilisers. An excessive application of these fertilisers not only causes the fertility of the soil to decrease but also poses a threat to the microorganisms that are already present in the soil. These substances are harmful to aquatic life if they make their way into neighbouring bodies of water and are then washed away.

The quantity of phosphorus that is washed away in water as food is transported from fields to cities is one of the primary contributors to eutrophication. This contributes to the development of algae. These either result in the growth of toxic algal blooms or their death, both of which are detrimental to the aquatic ecosystem. 

Importance of Phosphorus Cycle

• It is imperative that the phosphorus cycle be maintained so that the concentration of phosphorus on the surface of the Earth can be maintained in a state of equilibrium. This will allow for the creation of a habitable environment on the planet.
• Phosphorus is one of the essential elements for all forms of life, and the transport of phosphorus through many systems contributes to a better understanding of the myriad of biological processes as well as the factors that influence them.
• As phosphorus is found in nature in its naturally occurring mixed state with other elements, the phosphorus cycle is also dependent on the availability of other elements and compounds, such as nitrogen and sulphur.
• The production of energy in the form of ATP is made possible by the phosphorus cycle, which is part of the food chain. The chemical energy that is stored is carried by the phosphorus compounds from the producers to the consumers to the decomposers.
• The natural system for the disposal of waste includes a number of different processes, one of which is the decomposition or mineralization of phosphorus.
• The phosphorus cycle is the process that is responsible for raising the amount of phosphorus that is available in the soil for plant growth and for increasing the fertility of the soil.
• The physiology of the various microorganisms that are involved in the process can be better comprehended if one is familiar with the mechanism that drives the phosphorus cycle. 

Conclusion

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for sustaining life on Earth, where it plays a central role in the transfer of energy within organisms, the structure of genetic material, and in the composition of cell membranes, bones, and teeth. Therefore, the phosphorus cycle is important because of these reasons. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for sustaining life on Earth.