Identify and explain two physical processes responsible for eroding phosphorous from the land.
Answers
Answer:
1. Weathering
In light of the fact that phosphorous is most commonly found in rocks, the phosphorus cycle starts in the Earth’s crust. Weathering causes phosphate salts to break from the rocks. The salts wash away into the ground, where they get mixed in the soil.
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That takes us to the second step where phosphorous is taken up by plants and animals.
2. Absorption by Flora and Fauna
Plants absorb phosphate salts dissolved in soil water. It is worth noting that the quantities of phosphorus in the soil are normally small. This makes it one of the main factors that undermine plant growth.
That explains why we often apply phosphate fertilizers on agricultural land. Aquatic plants absorb inorganic form phosphorous from water and bottom layer of water bodies. In light of the fact that phosphate salts are not very water-soluble, they are also limiting factors for growth of plants in aquatic ecosystems.
3. Absorption By Animals
Animals absorb phosphorous by eating plants or plant-eating animals.
Namely, both marine and terrestrial plants are consumed by herbivorous animals, birds, and fish. Consequently, the organic form of phosphorus is transferred to the next level of consumers. Hence, the carnivores obtain phosphorous by eating herbivores.
It is worth noting that the rate of the phosphorus cycle is much faster in plants and animals than it is in rocks and sediments.
4. Return of Phosphorous Back to The Ecosystem
When plants, animals, birds, and fish die, they are deposited in soil and water bodies. Under conducive environmental conditions, bacteria and other microbes decompose the dead organisms. During decomposition, the organic form of phosphorous is converted into an inorganic form, which is then recycled to the soil and water.
After that, the element will end up in rock formations or sediments, where it will remain for millions of years. In the end, phosphorous is released again to the soil through weathering and absorbed by the plants. And the phosphorus cycle starts over.
Explanation: