Question

The main difference between carbon and phosphorus cycles is that in the latter

• A. There is no respiratory release of phosphorus into atmosphere.
• B. There is no role of bacteria.
• C. The atmospheric inputs of phosphorus through rainfall are much larger.
• D. Only the gaseous exchange of phosphorus between organisms and the environment occurs.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Biogeochemical cycle is of two types:
Gaseous cycles: Exchange of nutrients occurs in gaseous or vapour form. In this cycle, biogeochemical is non-mineral and the reservoir pool is atmosphere or hydrosphere. E.g., Nitrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen cycle
Sedimentary cycle: In this cycle, biogeochemical is mineral, reservoir pool is earth’s crust or lithosphere. E.g., sulphur, phosphorous cycle.
Rocks contain phosphorous in the form of phosphates. When rocks undergo weathering, minute amounts of these phosphates dissolve in soil solution and are absorbed by the roots of the plants.