How are the carbon cycle and phosphorus cycle similar?

Category: science chemistry
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Explanation: The phosphorous and the carbon cycles are both biogeochemical cycles on earth that are crucial to how our world functions. The two cycles include two different elements. The other large difference between these two cycles is that carbon cycles through the atmosphere whereas phosphorus does not .



Also, what do the carbon nitrogen and phosphorus cycles have in common?

Examples include the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles (nutrient cycles) and the water cycle. The carbon cycle includes the uptake of carbon dioxide by plants through, its ingestion by animals and its release to the atmosphere through respiration and decay of organic materials.

Similarly, what are some of the similarities between the carbon and nitrogen cycle? Nitrogen and carbon both enter the soil and are released into the atmosphere, and then return to the ground through plants or bacteria.

Hereof, in what ways are nitrogen and phosphorus cycles similar?

Explanation: The phosphorous cycle does not include an atmospheric component because phosphorous does not cycle through the atmosphere. In comparison, important processes of the carbon and nitrogen cycle occur in the atmosphere (compare three images below).

How is the phosphorus cycle different from other biogeochemical cycles?

The phosphorus cycle differs from the other major biogeochemical cycles in that it does not include a gas phase; although small amounts of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) may make their way into the atmosphere, contributing—in some cases—to acid rain.

36 Related Question Answers Found

Why is carbon important to life?

Carbon is the basic building block of life . This is the reason carbon dating is effective, all living organisms contain carbon. Also, carbon is so important to life because virtually all molecules in the body contain carbon. Carbon can bond to four other groups around it , and to other carbon molecules.

How do humans affect the phosphorus cycle?

Humans affect the phosphorus cycle mainly by the use of fertilizers and raising livestock, especially hogs. Fertilizers and hog waste are high in phosphorus, which makes its way into the soil (where it is necessary in moderate amounts) and, due to runoff, in water.

What are some examples of cycles?

Four main cycles to consider are:
  • The nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen circulates between air, the soil and living things.
  • The carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide circulates between the air, soil, and living things.
  • Photosynthesis. This process followed by respiration recycles oxygen.
  • The water cycle.

What are the three main reservoirs of the oxygen cycle?

The oxygen cycle describes the various forms in which oxygen is found and how it moves through different reservoirs on Earth. There are three major reservoirs of oxygen: the atmosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere. Some people also consider the hydrosphere, a subdivision of the biosphere, to be the fourth reservoir.

What is a natural cycle?

What is Natural Cycles? Delivered in the form of an app, Natural Cycles is a digital fertility awareness-based contraceptive and pregnancy planner that uses a sophisticated algorithm to accurately and conveniently determine a woman's daily fertility based on basal body temperature.

What is biogeochemical process?

In ecology and Earth science, a biogeochemical cycle or substance turnover or cycling of substances is a pathway by which a chemical substance moves through biotic (biosphere) and abiotic (lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) compartments of Earth.

Is Phosphorus a fossil fuel?

If there is any good news, it's that phosphorus, unlike energy produced from fossil fuels, isn't irretrievably lost. “We can destroy fossil fuels by burning them,” Mitchell says. “But you can't destroy phosphorus — it's going to remain in the biosphere somewhere, in plants and animals or in minerals in the soil.”

What are the steps of the phosphorus cycle?

Phosphorus Cycle Steps
  • 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.
  • Absorption by Plants and Animals.
  • Return to the Environment via Decomposition.

What is special about the phosphorus cycle?

The phosphorus cycle. 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. Once in the plant or animal, the phosphate is incorporated into organic molecules such as DNA.

What is the importance of phosphorus?

The main function of phosphorus is in the formation of bones and teeth. It plays an important role in how the body uses carbohydrates and fats. It is also needed for the body to make protein for the growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.

What's the difference between nitrogen cycle and phosphorus?

Both nitrogen and carbon are found in gas phase within the atmosphere, and move from the atmosphere into living things or into the soil. Phosphorus does not circulate into the atmosphere, but is stored mainly in sedimentary rock. Phosphates move out of the rock and into the soil within rainwater.

How do humans get phosphorus?

Phosphorus works with calcium to help build bones. Phosphorus also plays an important structural role in nucleic acids and cell membranes. And it's involved in the body's energy production. Your body absorbs less phosphorus when calcium levels are too high, and vice versa.

Why is phosphorus a limiting factor?

Because the quantities of phosphorus in soil are generally small, it is often the limiting factor for plant growth. That is why humans often apply phosphate fertilizers on farmland. Phosphates are also limiting factors for plant-growth in marine ecosystems, because they are not very water-soluble.

What are the main ingredients in fertilizer?

Most fertilizer formulas are stated on the package in the form of the percentages of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), in that order. A 12-8-4 fertilizer formula contains 12 percent nitrogen, 8 percent phosphorus and 4 percent potassium by weight.

Where is phosphorus stored?

Unlike carbon and nitrogen, most of the phosphorous on Earth is stored in soil and rocks in the form of phosphate.

Why are nitrogen and phosphorus the two main components of fertilizer?

Each of these fundamental nutrients plays a key role in plant nutrition. Nitrogen is considered to be the most important nutrient, and plants absorb more nitrogen than any other element. It's also needed to help plants grow and develop normally. Phosphorus in commercial fertilizers comes from phosphate rock.