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The Phosphorus Cycle

The Phosphorus Cycle

Unlike carbon, water, and nitrogen, phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, most phosphorus in the ecosystem exists as compounds, such as phosphate ions (PO43-), found in soil, water, sediment and rocks. Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient (i.e., in short supply). Consequently, phosphorus is added to most agricultural fertilizers, which can cause environmental problems related to runoff in aquatic ecosystems.

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Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

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Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme...

Primary Production

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The total amount of energy acquired by primary producers in an ecosystem is called gross primary production (GPP). However, of this energy, producers use some for metabolic processes, and some is lost as heat, decreasing the amount of energy available to the next trophic level. The remaining usable amount of energy is called the net primary productivity (NPP). In terrestrial ecosystems, NPP is driven by climate, while light penetration and nutrient availability drive NPP in aquatic ecosystems.

The Nitrogen Cycle

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Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 2, 2025

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Published on: July 22, 2019

Riparian Forest Cover Modulates Phosphorus Storage and Nitrogen Cycling in Agricultural Stream Sediments.

R M Kreiling¹, L A Bartsch², P M Perner²

¹U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI, USA. rkreiling@usgs.gov.

Environmental Management

|June 9, 2021

Summary

Riparian forest cover improves stream water quality by reducing nutrient loads and fine material. Increased forest cover enhances sediment

Keywords:

Denitrification Forest buffer Nutrient removal Phosphorus storage Riparian zone

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Last Updated: Nov 2, 2025

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

Published on: July 22, 2019

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading

Laboratory-determined Phosphorus Flux from Lake Sediments as a Measure of Internal Phosphorus Loading

Published on: March 6, 2014

Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds

Continuous Instream Monitoring of Nutrients and Sediment in Agricultural Watersheds

Published on: September 26, 2017

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Ecology
Hydrology

Background:

Watershed land cover significantly influences in-stream water quality and sediment nutrient dynamics.
Riparian zones with natural vegetation can mitigate adverse impacts of agricultural land use on water quality.
Limited research exists on the effects of natural riparian land cover on stream sediment nutrient dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how riparian forest cover affects stream sediment phosphorus retention and nitrogen removal in agricultural watersheds.
To assess the relationship between the extent of riparian forest cover and sediment nutrient processing.

Main Methods:

Sampling of stream sediment nutrient dynamics at 28 mixed land cover sites across three periods during the growing season.
Analysis of sediment total phosphorus concentrations, nitrification, and denitrification rates.
Evaluation of the correlation between riparian forest cover and measured nutrient dynamics.

Main Results:

Sediment total phosphorus concentrations and nitrification rates decreased with increased riparian forest cover, linked to reduced fine organic material.
Denitrification rates correlated with surface water nitrate concentrations and decreased with forest cover during high watershed-stream connectivity.
Increased riparian forest cover reduced dissolved nutrient loads, potentially enhancing sediment nitrogen removal efficiency by preventing bacterial saturation.

Conclusions:

Riparian forest cover plays a crucial role in regulating stream sediment nutrient dynamics within agricultural watersheds.
Natural land cover in riparian zones can reduce phosphorus storage and improve nitrogen removal efficiency in stream sediments.
Maintaining and increasing riparian forest cover is a viable strategy for mitigating agricultural impacts on stream ecosystems.