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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.

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.

Phosphorylation

Phosphorylation

The addition or removal of phosphate groups from proteins is the most common chemical modification that regulates cellular processes. These modifications can affect the structure, activity, stability, and localization of proteins within cells as well as their interactions with other proteins.
During phosphorylation, protein kinases transfer the terminal phosphate group of ATP to specific amino acid side chains of substrate proteins. Serine, threonine, and tyrosine are the most commonly...

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...

Biosynthesis of Lipids

Biosynthesis of Lipids

Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis...

Primary Production

Primary Production

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates

Published on: November 23, 2016

Phosphonate production by marine microbes: Exploring new sources and potential function.

Marianne Acker^1,2, Shane L Hogle^3,4, Paul M Berube³

¹Massachusetts Institute of Technology-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|March 7, 2022

Summary

Marine bacteria utilize phosphonates, a key phosphorus source, with abundant groups like Prochlorococcus and SAR11 possessing synthesis genes. These compounds may protect cells from grazing and viral lysis, impacting ocean biogeochemistry.

Keywords:

Prochlorococcus biogeochemistry marine phosphonate phosphorus

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Last Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates

Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates

Published on: November 23, 2016

Screening for Thermotoga maritima Membrane-Bound Pyrophosphatase Inhibitors

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Published on: November 23, 2019

High-Throughput Metabolic Profiling for Model Refinements of Microalgae

High-Throughput Metabolic Profiling for Model Refinements of Microalgae

Published on: December 4, 2021

Area of Science:

Marine microbiology
Biogeochemistry
Molecular biology

Background:

Phosphonates are stable phosphorus compounds crucial for marine ecosystems.
They are a significant phosphorus source in nutrient-limited oceans.
Phosphonates fuel marine methane production.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the prevalence of phosphonate synthesis genes in marine bacterioplankton.
To identify the key microbial groups involved in phosphonate metabolism.
To understand the functional role of phosphonates in marine microbial communities.

Main Methods:

Genomic analysis of bacterioplankton communities.
Metabolic pathway reconstruction.
Biogeochemical modeling.

Main Results:

15% of surface ocean bacterioplankton possess phosphonate synthesis genes.
Abundant groups, including Prochlorococcus and SAR11, are key players.
Evidence suggests phosphonate incorporation into cell-surface phosphonoglycoproteins for protection.

Conclusions:

Phosphonate metabolism is widespread in marine bacteria, particularly in abundant groups.
Cell-surface phosphonoglycoproteins may offer protection against predation and viral lysis.
These findings highlight the significant biogeochemical role of phosphonates in the global ocean.