EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Phosphorus moves in a cycle through rocks, water, soil and sediments and organisms. Over time, rain and weathering cause rocks to release phosphate ions and other minerals. This inorganic phosphate is then distributed in soils and water.

Detailed explanation-2: -Weathering. Since the main source of phosphorus is found in rocks, the first step of the phosphorus cycle involves the extraction of phosphorus from the rocks by weathering. Weather events, such as rain and other sources of erosion, result in phosphorus being washed into the soil.

Detailed explanation-3: -Phosphate is a micronutrient which is essential for various metabolic activity in plants. During weathering of rocks phosphorus is released and distributed in the soil which is taken up firstly by the plants in the form of phosphate ions.

Detailed explanation-4: -Phosphorus accumulation occurs from atmospheric precipitation, dust, glacial runoff, cosmic activity, underground hydrothermal volcanic activity, and deposition of organic material. The primary inflow of dissolved phosphorus is from continental weathering, brought out by rivers to the ocean.

Detailed explanation-5: -Note: In phosphorus cycle, the weathering process makes phosphate available to the soil which are the consumers of phosphate. Phosphate is an important component of cellular and organic molecules. It also plays an important role for the transport of energy.