"Go through the flow"

Do you know that Phosphorus also circulates like other biogeochemical cycles?

Before anything else, let's just first define what is Phosphorus..

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants and animals in the form of ions PO₄^3- and HPO₄^2-. It is a part of DNA-molecules, of molecules that store energy (ATP and ADP) and of fats of cell membranes. Phosphorus is also a building block of certain parts of the human and animal body, such as the bones and teeth. Phosphorus can be found on earth in water, soil and sediments.

How does phosphorus circulates?

It is in these rocks where the phosphorus cycle begins. When it rains, phosphates are removed from the rocks through weathering and are distributed throughout both soils and water like rivers and streams.

Phosphates make up an important part of the structural framework that holds DNA and RNA together. 

Phosphates are incorporated into organic molecules by flowing out of the water into plants that are consumed by animals.

The plants will take up the phosphate ions from the soil then it will move from plants to animals when herbivores eat plants and carnivores eat plants or herbivores. The phosphates absorbed by animal tissue through consumption eventually returns to the soil through the excretion of urine and feces, as well as from the final decomposition of plants and animals after death.

But what happens to the phosphates when plants and animals die?

Phosphorus cycles through plants and animals much faster than it does through rocks and sediments. When animals and plants die, phosphates will return to the soils or oceans again during decay. After that, phosphorus will end up in sediments or rock formations again, remaining there for millions of years. Eventually, phosphorus is released again through weathering and the cycle starts over. 

As you comprehend on how phosphates circulate, we should also be remind that even other living things find ways on how can they live long in this world. Also for us people, we should learn how can we comply to the flow of life.