Phosphorus CycleMercer Proctor

Natalie Ford

Phosphorus Cycle

Major Components 1. When plants and wastes decay it is absorbed by the Earth 2. The phosphate is then washed back into the water due to

erosion 3. Plants and algae utilize the phosphate in the water

Nutrients InvolvedSoluble Phosphate is

turned into both Biomass Phosphate

and Fixed Phosphate. Fixed Phosphate

changes to Phosphate Inputs. Biomass

Phosphate changes to Soil Organic

Phosphate. Both Phosphate Inputs and

Soil Organic Phosphate cycle back to Soluble

Phosphates.

Why is phosphate essential?• Phosphate is essential

for life such as ATP (Ex. plant growth)

• Phosphate is the backbone of DNA and

RNA• Used for the uplifting of

rock formations• Main nutrient for plants

in and out of water