What is it?
- The phosphorus cycle is the sedimentary biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
Process Involved
- Tectonic uplift and exposure of phosphorus-bearing rocks such as apatite to surface weathering.
- Physical erosion along with chemical and biological weathering of phosphorus-bearing rocks to provide dissolved and particulate phosphorus to soils, lakes, and rivers.
- Riverine and subsurface transportation of phosphorus to various lakes and run-off to the ocean.
- Sedimentation of particulate phosphorus (e.g., phosphorus associated with organic matter and oxide/carbonate minerals) and eventually burial in marine sediments (this process can also occur in lakes and rivers).
