Biogeochemical cycle Phosphorus cycle

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

2. Biogeochemic
al cycle
Phosphorus cycle

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

4. 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

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

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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.