Biogeochemical cycle Phosphorus cycle

Biogeochemical cycle Phosphorus cycle

1. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY RABBIA MAHBOOB 14997 M.PHIL MICROBIOLOGY 2 ND SEMESTER ABASYN UNIVERSITY PESHAWAR

2. INTRODUCTION PHOSPHORUS: Phosphorous is a chemical element with symbol P. Function Phosphorus is essential for plant and animal growth, as well as microbes. R equired for the formation of nucleotides . Calcium phosphate is also the primary component of mammalian bones and teeth . Insect exoskeletons . Phospholipid membranes of cells .

3. PHOSPHORUS CYCLE The movement of phosphorus from the environment to organism and then back to environment Or The Process by which phosphorus moves through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere

4. The phosphorus cycle is a slow process, which involves f our key steps: Weathering Absorption by Plants Absorption by Animals Return to the Environment via Decomposition

5. 1. WEATHERING Extraction of phosphorus from the rocks. Weather events such as rain and other sources of erosion. Result in phosphorus being washed into the soil.

6. 2. ABSORPTION BY PLANTS Plants absorb phosphorus from soil and grow. Plants can also directly absorb phosphorus from the water.

7. 3. ABSORPTION BY ANIMALS Animals obtain phosphorus from drinking water and eating plants.

8. 4. RETURN TO THE ENVIRONMENT When plants and animals die, decomposition results in the return of phosphorus back to the environment. Plants and animals then use this phosphorus and the cycle is repeated.