All Flashcards
What are the effects of excess phosphorus in water bodies?
Eutrophication, algal blooms, dead zones.
What causes eutrophication?
Excess phosphorus and nitrogen in water.
What are the consequences of algal blooms?
Oxygen depletion, fish kills, reduced biodiversity.
How do laundry detergents impact the phosphorus cycle?
They contribute to excess phosphorus in wastewater.
How do synthetic fertilizers impact the phosphorus cycle?
Runoff carries excess phosphorus into water bodies.
What is the effect of dead zones on aquatic life?
Harmful to aquatic life and can disrupt entire ecosystems.
What causes phosphorus to be released from rocks?
Weathering due to rain, wind, and natural disasters.
What happens when phosphorus settles at the bottom of water bodies?
It gets stored in rocks and soil, becoming unavailable for immediate use.
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 increased phosphorus levels on drinking water?
Can lead to health issues and requires costly treatment processes.
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.
Why is phosphorus important for living organisms?
Essential for DNA, RNA, and ATP production; a key component of cell membranes and bones.
Why is phosphorus a limiting nutrient in aquatic ecosystems?
It doesn't dissolve easily in water and tends to cling to soil particles, making it less available.
What is the main reservoir of phosphorus?
Rocks and sediments in the Earth's crust.
How does the phosphorus cycle differ from the nitrogen cycle?
Phosphorus cycle has minimal atmospheric component; nitrogen cycle has a significant atmospheric component.
What role does decomposition play in the phosphorus cycle?
Releases phosphorus from dead organisms back into the soil and water, making it available to other organisms.
Explain the role of geologic uplift in the phosphorus cycle.
Brings phosphorus-containing rocks from the ocean floor to land, where weathering releases the phosphorus.
How do humans impact the phosphorus cycle?
Through the use of fertilizers and detergents, leading to excess phosphorus in water bodies.
What is the effect of excess phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems?
Leads to eutrophication, algal blooms, and the creation of dead zones.
Describe the connection between phosphorus and ATP.
Phosphorus is a key component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the main energy currency of cells.
What is the significance of phosphorus in DNA and RNA?
Forms the backbone of DNA and RNA molecules, essential for genetic information storage and transfer.