Key Elements in Living Organisms

Front

Breakdown of compounds releases phosphate ions.

Back

Roots can absorb phosphate ions, sometimes with the help of fungi.

Front

Importance of phosphorus for growth

Back

Phosphorus is essential for metabolic energy use and growth.

Front

Too much phosphate in the water kills fish.

Back

This occurs via eutrophication.

Front

Overfishing led to the decline of birds and guano supply.

Back

Guano is bird waste that was used as a fertilizer.

Front

Long-term fate of nutrients in oceans

Back

Nutrients may sink to the bottom and over millions of years become rock again.

Front

Sea spray contributes phosphorus to the land.

Back

Phosphorus is essential for plant growth and can be transported by sea spray.

Front

Decomposers play a role in the phosphorus cycle by breaking down wastes and decay.

Back

This process recycles phosphorus back into the ecosystem.

Front

Deep-ocean sediments also contain insoluble phosphate.

Back

Similar to shallow sediments, they contribute to the phosphorus cycle.

Front

Transformation into sulphates is done by bacteria in the soil.

Back

Front

Aerobic bacteria require the presence of oxygen.

Back