C H R I S T I N E B R O W N & S O R A Y A D A V I L A & H O N N Y W O N G & M A R Y C H A V E Z

PHOSPHORUS BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLE

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!)

CYCLE!

HOW DOES IT AFFECT WATER WAYS?

• Phosphorus binds with soil and only dissolves slowly in water overtime. • These can include: ErosionFarm 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>.