Why is phosphorus a limiting nutrient?
It doesn't dissolve easily in water and clings to soil.
What is the main reservoir of phosphorus?
Rocks and ocean sediments.
Why is phosphorus important for living organisms?
Essential for DNA, RNA, and ATP production.
How does the phosphorus cycle differ from the nitrogen cycle?
Phosphorus cycle has minimal atmospheric interaction.
What role does decomposition play in the phosphorus cycle?
Releases phosphorus back into the environment from dead organisms.
What is the role of weathering in the phosphorus cycle?
Breaks down rocks and releases phosphorus into soil and water.
How does sedimentation affect phosphorus availability?
Excess phosphorus settles, becoming unavailable for immediate use.
What is the significance of geologic uplift?
Brings phosphorus from ocean sediments back to land.
What is the primary way phosphorus moves from land to water?
Through runoff and groundwater.
How do organisms obtain phosphorus?
By absorbing it from soil and water.
What are the effects of phosphorus runoff from fertilizers?
Eutrophication, algal blooms, dead zones in aquatic ecosystems.
What causes eutrophication?
Excessive phosphorus and nitrogen in water bodies.
What are the effects of algal blooms?
Oxygen depletion, fish kills, reduced water quality.
What are the causes of dead zones?
Decomposition of algal blooms depletes oxygen in water.
What is the effect of weathering on the phosphorus cycle?
Releases phosphorus from rocks into the soil and water.
What is the effect of deforestation on the phosphorus cycle?
Increased runoff and soil erosion, leading to phosphorus loss from the land.
What is the effect of using phosphorus-containing detergents?
Increased phosphorus levels in wastewater and aquatic ecosystems.
What is the effect of geologic uplift on the phosphorus cycle?
Brings phosphorus-containing rocks to the surface, making it available through weathering.
What is the effect of increased sedimentation on the phosphorus cycle?
Phosphorus becomes trapped in sediments, reducing its availability to organisms.
What is the effect of decomposition on the phosphorus cycle?
Returns phosphorus from organic matter to the soil and water, making it available to other organisms.
What are the steps of the phosphorus cycle?
Weathering, transportation, absorption, decomposition, sedimentation, geologic uplift.
Describe the process of weathering in the phosphorus cycle.
Rocks break down releasing phosphorus into soil and water.
Describe the process of absorption in the phosphorus cycle.
Living organisms absorb phosphorus from soil and water.
Describe the process of decomposition in the phosphorus cycle.
Decomposition releases phosphorus back into the environment.
Describe the process of sedimentation in the phosphorus cycle.
Excess phosphorus settles at the bottom of water bodies.
Describe the process of geologic uplift in the phosphorus cycle.
Ocean sediments are lifted to form mountains, bringing phosphorus back into the soil.
Describe how phosphorus moves from land to water.
Phosphorus moves from land to water through runoff and groundwater.
Describe the process of eutrophication.
Excess phosphorus leads to algal blooms, decomposition, and oxygen depletion.
What happens after algae die in eutrophication?
Their decomposition depletes oxygen, creating dead zones.
What role does runoff play in eutrophication?
Runoff carries excess phosphorus into water bodies.
