Question

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and animals. Phosphorus normally occurs in nature as part of a phosphate ion (PO4)3. As you can see from the diagram of the phosphorus cycle, unlike many other biogeo chemical cycles, the _____________ does/do not play a significant role in the movement of phosphorus.

Answer 1

The word to fill in the blank would be ''atmosphere'' since the air around us doesn't provided a function to the mobility of phosphorus.

Answer 2

Air or atmosphere

Step-by-step explanation:

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and animals. Phosphorus is a part of DNA, ATP and cell membrane. It is the building block of the bones and teeth in human and animal body.

Phosphorus is found on earth in water, soil and sediments and it is not found in the atmosphere in the gaseous state because it is usually liquid at normal temperatures and pressures.

Due to weathering, phosphorus is released from the rock as phosphate salts which are dissolve in soil water and are then absorbed by plants. Therefore, phosphorus is mainly cycling through water, soil and sediments via food chains.