Phosphorus Cycle

1. Phosphorus Cycle Natalie Bui Kayla Marsh NizarAjhar

2. Properties of Phosphorus • Phosphorus is an element, represented on the periodic table as

3. Properties of Phosphorus • White phosphorus is spontaneously flammable (this type is industrially manufactured) • Black phosphorus can conduct electricity • In nature, phosphorus has never been found in its pure form; it exists as phosphates (phosphorus + oxygen)

4. Phosphorus & the Environment • Food that contains a large amount of phosphorus: fish (including salmon and tuna), turkey, eggs and cheese • Phosphorus can be used as fertilizer for agriculture as well as pesticide (which can lead to problems) • Can also be used as incendiary bombs, pyrotechnics, toothpaste

6. Phosphorus Cycle

7. Reactions in the Phosphorus Cycle • This reaction shows how a phosphate molecule becomes fixed into the environment • The calcium can be replaced by iron, magnesium and aluminum • This reaction depends of pH

8. Reservoirs of Phosphorus INORGANIC ORGANIC Animals Plants Most notably in DNA and RNA • Water • Soil • Sediments

9. Pathway Movement

10. HUMAN INFLUENCES ON THE CYCLE • Commercial synthetic fertilizers • Calcium phosphate is mined • Use of sulfuric acid to convert into fertilizer or “super phosphate” • Plants don’t absorb all of it, becomes run-off into lakes and rivers. • Re-absorbed by aquatic plants which causes algal bloom • Sewage treatment plants

11. YouTube Video Summary