foszforciklus

A foszforciklus, or phosphorus cycle, is the biogeochemical process by which phosphorus moves through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Unlike many other nutrient cycles, the phosphorus cycle does not have a significant atmospheric component. The primary reservoir for phosphorus is in rocks and soil. Weathering of these rocks releases phosphate ions into the soil and water.

Plants absorb these phosphate ions from the soil through their roots. Animals obtain phosphorus by consuming plants or other animals. When organisms die, decomposers break down their organic matter, returning phosphate to the soil and water. A portion of this phosphate can be incorporated into sediments at the bottom of lakes and oceans. Over geological time, these sediments can become rock, thus re-entering the lithosphere and completing the cycle.

Human activities significantly impact the phosphorus cycle. The mining of phosphate rock for fertilizers and detergents releases large amounts into the environment. Agricultural runoff, containing excess fertilizers, leads to eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. This excessive nutrient enrichment can cause algal blooms, deplete dissolved oxygen, and harm aquatic life. Understanding the phosphorus cycle is crucial for managing ecosystems and mitigating the negative consequences of human-induced imbalances.