1. Phosphorus

2. Biogeochemical Cycle http://mac122.icu.ac.jp/gen-ed/ecosystem-jpgs/phosphorus- cycle.jpg

3. Phosphorus  Phosphorus is a vital nutrient necessary for plants and animals in the form of PO 4 3- and HPO 4 2-.  Phosphorus is the building block of important parts of the body such as bones and teeth.  About 80% of the world’s phosphorus is used in fertilizers and soft drinks.  Phosphorus does not entre the atmosphere it stays in rocks and soil minerals.

4. Phosphorus  Unlike other cycles of matter compounds, phosphorus cannot be found in atmosphere as a gas.  It usually cycles through water, soil, and sediments.

5. Phosphorous Cycle  First phosphorus is eroded off of rocks and deposited in the soil.  Now in the soil, phosphorus is absorbed into the clay and other organic material within the soil.  Next plants dissolve the ionized phosphates in the soil.  Then the phosphates are absorbed by herbivores when they consume the plants and then into carnivores when they eat the herbivores.  Finally phosphorus is deposited back into the soil when plants and animals decay or through animal waste.

6. http://www.enviroliteracy.org/images/page-spec//phoscycle2.gif

7. Human Effects  The mining of phosphate ores for fertilizer affects the time cycle of the phosphorus cycle.  Mining results in the premature release of phosphates into the cycle which can cause an abundance of algae to form and cause hypoxia.  Normal levels of Phosphorus in surface water.01 to.03 mg/l

8. Work cited  Ophardt, Charles E. "Phosphorus Cycle." Virtual Chembook. 2003. Elmhurst College. 17 Nov. 2008.  "Phosphorus Cycle." Environmental Impacts of Agriculture. Princeton. 17 Nov. 2008.  "Phosphorus Cycle." Science Online. 25 Oct. 2006. 17 Nov. 2008.  "Phosphorus Cycle." The Environmental Literacy Council. 2 Mar. 2008. The Environmental Literacy Council. 17 Nov. 2008.  "Phosphorus." Water Shedss. 1976. University of North Carolina. 17 Nov. 2008.  Winstead, Ray L. "Phosphorus Biogeochemical Cycle." Dr. Ray L Winstead. 3 Aug. 2005. 17 Nov. 2008.