Chapter 2, Problem 18STP

Summary Introduction

To identify:

A substance that is involved in both long-term and short-term biogeochemical cycles and explain the way by which these cycles affect the availability of substance to the humans and other organisms.

Introduction:

A circular pathway in which important compounds of living beings are circulated is termed as biogeochemical cycle. This cycle takes under consideration the biological, geological and chemical aspects in every manner.

Explanation of Solution

The substance that is involved in both short-term and long-term biogeochemical cycles is phosphorus. Phosphorus is important for growth of organisms. In short-term phosphorus cycle, phosphates in solution are cycled from soil to producers, and at last from producers to consumers. When organism/consumer dies then, decomposers mix phosphorus back into soil, from where phosphorus can be used again. Now, phosphorus moves from the short-term cycle to ling-term cycle via weathering rocks, which leads to adding of phosphorus back to the cycle. Phosphorus is present in soil is phosphates in a very small quantity but plays important role in an organism’s survival.