Phosphorus cycle

Phosphorus is a very important nutrient that helps plants and animals grow. Just like we need food to survive, plants and animals need phosphorus to survive and thrive. The phosphorus cycle is the process of how phosphorus moves through the environment.

Phosphorus starts off in rocks and soils. Plants absorb the phosphorus from the soil through their roots, and then animals eat the plants. When animals die or when they excrete waste, the phosphorus goes back into the soil.

After a long time, the phosphorus in the soil can get into rivers and lakes. When this happens, algae and other aquatic plants take up the phosphorus. Fish and other animals then eat the plants. When these animals excrete waste or die, the phosphorus goes back into the water or sediment.

Finally, over time, the phosphorus in the sediment can become part of new rocks, starting the cycle over again.

So, basically, phosphorus starts in rocks and soil, goes into plants and animals, and then goes back into the soil and water through waste or death. This cycle continues over a very long time, and helps keep all living things healthy and growing.