Phosphorus Cycle

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Biogeochemical Cycle Noun

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[by-oh-jee-oh-kem-i-kuhl sy-kuhl]

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Biogeochemical Cycle

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The pathway by which a chemical substance moves through both the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.

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Example: This diagram illustrates the Carbon Cycle, showing how carbon moves between the atmosphere, living organisms, and the Earth through processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and combustion.

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Weathering Noun

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[weth-er-ing]

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Weathering

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The process of breaking down rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface, which releases phosphates into the environment.

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Example: This image shows how weathering breaks down sharp, angular rocks into smaller, smooth, rounded pebbles, a key process that releases phosphorus into the environment.

Front

Erosion Noun

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[ih-roh-zhuhn]

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Erosion

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The process by which natural forces transport soil and rock, moving essential elements like phosphorus across the land.

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Example: This diagram shows how the impact of a single raindrop can dislodge soil particles, a process called splash erosion, which moves phosphorus into water.

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Leaching Noun

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[leech-ing]

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Leaching

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The process where water drains through soil, dissolving and carrying soluble substances like phosphates into groundwater or streams.

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Example: As rain falls and moves through the soil, it dissolves and carries away nutrients, like phosphorus, to lower soil layers or into groundwater.

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Runoff Noun

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[ruhn-off]

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Runoff

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Water from rain or other sources that flows over the land surface, carrying nutrients like phosphorus into rivers and lakes.

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Example: This diagram compares runoff in natural areas versus urban areas, showing how paved surfaces prevent water from soaking in, greatly increasing runoff.

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Decomposition Noun

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[dee-kom-puh-zish-uhn]

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Decomposition

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The breakdown of dead organic matter by organisms, which returns organic phosphate to the soil and water for reuse.

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Example: Decomposers like beetles and worms break down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves, returning essential nutrients to the soil for plants to use.

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Sedimentation Noun

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[sed-uh-men-tey-shuhn]

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Sedimentation

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The process of phosphorus-containing particles settling to the bottom of a water body, forming new layers of sedimentary rock.

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Example: This image shows how particles mixed in water (left) settle to the bottom over time (right), forming a layer of sediment. This is sedimentation.

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Geological Uplift Noun

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[jee-uh-loj-i-kuhl uhp-lift]

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Geological Uplift

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The natural process that brings buried, phosphate-rich rock layers from deep within the Earth to the surface.

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Example: When tectonic plates collide, the immense pressure forces rock layers to push upwards, forming mountains. This process is called geological uplift.

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Phosphorus Noun

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[fos-fer-uhs]

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Phosphorus

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A chemical element essential for life, forming key components of DNA, RNA, and cell membranes, serving as a major nutrient.

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Example: This image shows the periodic table information for the element Phosphorus, including its atomic number (15), symbol (P), and atomic mass.

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Nucleic Acid Noun

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[noo-klee-ik as-id]

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Nucleic Acid

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A vital organic molecule for all life, containing phosphorus and carrying genetic information or assisting in protein synthesis.

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Example: This diagram shows that a nucleotide, the building block of nucleic acids, is made of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar, and a base.