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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.

The Carbon Cycle

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

The most common elements in organic molecules, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are only available in the ecosystem in limited amounts. Therefore, these nutrients must be recycled through both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, in processes generally called biogeochemical cycles.

The Sulfur Cycle

The Sulfur Cycle

Sulfur, an important element in the chemical makeup of proteins, is recycled through the atmosphere and aquatic and terrestrial environments. Found in the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur is released by decaying organisms, weathered rocks, geothermal vents, volcanos, and burning fossil fuels. It is deposited into the ecosystem, cycled through the biotic community, and either released back into the atmosphere as gas or deposited in marine sediment for long-term storage and eventual...

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.

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: Jul 28, 2025

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

Uncovering the Ediacaran phosphorus cycle.

Matthew S Dodd^1,2,3,4,5, Wei Shi^1,3, Chao Li^6,7,8

¹State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Institute of Sedimentary Geology, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, China.

|May 31, 2023

Summary

Oceanic phosphorus levels pulsed during the Ediacaran Shuram excursion, driving increased oxygen. This suggests external factors like sulfate weathering, not just internal cycles, controlled Ediacaran ocean oxygenation.

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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

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 28, 2025

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

Laboratory Simulation of an IronII-rich Precambrian Marine Upwelling System to Explore the Growth of Photosynthetic Bacteria

Laboratory Simulation of an IronII-rich Precambrian Marine Upwelling System to Explore the Growth of Photosynthetic Bacteria

Published on: July 24, 2016

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

Area of Science:

Geochemistry
Paleoceanography
Biogeochemistry

Background:

Phosphorus is a key nutrient controlling oceanic oxygen levels.
The Ediacaran Period saw proposed increases in marine phosphorus linked to rising oxygen.
Phosphorus cycling during this critical time remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

Reconstruct oceanic phosphorus concentrations during the Ediacaran Shuram excursion (SE).
Investigate the drivers of oceanic oxygenation during this period.
Understand the relationship between phosphorus, carbon isotopes, and oxygen levels.

Main Methods:

Analysis of carbonate-associated phosphate (CAP) from six global sections.
Reconstruction of oceanic phosphorus concentrations.
Application of a quantitative biogeochemical model.

Main Results:

Pulsed increases in oceanic phosphorus concentrations were observed during the SE.
Model suggests phosphorus release from organic matter oxidation and land weathering.
Equivalent phosphorus concentrations were found during varying anoxia levels across the SE.

Conclusions:

External stimuli, like sulfate weathering, likely controlled Ediacaran ocean oxygenation.
Phosphorus and oxygen cycles may have been decoupled, unlike in the modern ocean.
This provides insight into the prolonged rise of atmospheric oxygen levels.