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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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 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

The microbial phosphorus cycle in aquatic ecosystems.

Solange Duhamel¹

¹Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. duhamel@arizona.edu.

Nature Reviews. Microbiology

|November 11, 2024

Summary

Aquatic microorganisms drive a complex phosphorus cycle, transforming phosphorus compounds and influencing planetary habitability. Understanding this microbial phosphorus cycle is key to mitigating human impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

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Measuring Phosphorus Release in Laboratory Microcosms for Water Quality Assessment

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

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High-Throughput Measurement and Classification of Organic P in Environmental Samples

High-Throughput Measurement and Classification of Organic P in Environmental Samples

Published on: June 8, 2011

Area of Science:

Environmental Microbiology
Biogeochemistry
Ecology

Background:

Phosphorus is vital for life, and its cycling is fundamental to planetary habitability.
Aquatic microorganisms play a central role in transforming diverse phosphorus forms through uptake, assimilation, and release.
Recent research reveals a more dynamic and complex microbial phosphorus cycle than previously understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in aquatic microbial phosphorus cycle research.
To explore how microorganisms sense, transport, assimilate, store, produce, and release phosphorus.
To highlight the implications of cellular phosphorus allocation for aquatic ecosystems.

Main Methods:

Review of interdisciplinary research spanning omics, physiology, and biogeochemical modeling.
Synthesis of current understanding of microbial phosphorus transformations.
Focus on cellular phosphorus allocation and its ecological significance.

Main Results:

Microorganisms utilize and produce novel phosphorus compounds, including reduced forms.
Human activities increasingly impact aquatic phosphorus biogeochemistry.
Cellular phosphorus allocation is an underexplored area with significant implications for element flux.

Conclusions:

A deeper comprehension of the aquatic microbial phosphorus cycle is essential for addressing human impacts.
Further research into microbial phosphorus metabolism and allocation is warranted.
This understanding offers opportunities to mitigate anthropogenic effects on aquatic environments.