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Phosphorus Biogeochemical Cycle. Christine Brown & Soraya Davila & Honny Wong & Mary Chavez. What is phosphorus?. Phosphorus powder Phosphorus is the 15 th element on the periodic table, represented by the letter “P”.
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Phosphorus Biogeochemical Cycle Christine Brown &Soraya Davila &Honny Wong & Mary Chavez
What is phosphorus? Phosphorus powder • Phosphorus is the 15th element on the periodic table, represented by the letter “P”. • When pure it is colorless and transparent. • Phosphorus was discovered in 1669 by Brand, who prepared it from urine. Brand attempted to distill salts by evaporating urine.
Where can you find phosphorus? • Fertilizers • Animal effluent (Feces/Urine) • Natural weathering of rocks (basically erosion!)
How does it affect water ways? • Phosphorus binds with soil and only dissolves slowly in water overtime. • These can include: Erosion Farm runoff (fertilizer) • Phosphorus “starves” streams of oxygen, thus affecting aquatic life in a negative manner.
Ways to Manage Phosphorus in waterways. Prevent direct application of fertilizer to waterways by: • Controlling runoff before it reaches the water. • Avoiding applying phosphate fertilizer if you know heavy rain is coming. • Trying to prevent overgrazing that can ultimately lead to erosion.
Benefits for humans • Phosphorus is a mineral mostly stored in your bones, teeth, DNA and cell membranes. • It is important for many biochemical reactions such as converting the foods you eat into the energy your body needs every day. • Phosphorus also helps with muscle contraction, nerve and kidney functions.
fun facts: • We must have phosphorus to live! • Holds DNA and RNA together • Chemical component for ATP • 80% of phosphorus is found in teeth in bones • Largest reservoir of phosphorus is in sedimentary rocks • Phosphorus in waterways encourage the growth of nuisance aquatic plants/algae.
Works Cited • "Geography4Kids.com: BGC Cycles: Phosphorus Cycle." Rader's GEOGRAPHY 4 KIDS.COM. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://www.geography4kids.com/files/cycles_phosphorus.html>. • Jegtvig, By Shereen. "Phosphorus - What Is Phosphorus." Nutrition - About Nutrition and Diet. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://nutrition.about.com/od/nutrition101/g/phosphorusglossary.htm>. • "Managing Farm Phosphorus." EW Environment Waikato. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://www.ew.govt.nz/environmental-information/Land-and-soil/Managing-Land-and-Soil/Managing-farm-nutrients/Managing-farm-phosphorus/>. • "Phosphorus Cycle." The Environmental Literacy Council. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/480.html>.