Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle. Significant increases in algae harm water quality, food resources and habitats, and decrease the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive.

Too much phosphorus can cause increased growth of algae and large aquatic plants, which can result in decreased levels of dissolved oxygen– a process called eutrophication. High levels of phosphorus can also lead to algae blooms that produce algal toxins which can be harmful to human and animal health.

Phosphate attaches to sediments. When dissolved oxygen concentration is low in the water (anoxic), sediments release phosphate into the water column. This phenomenon encourages the growth of algae.

The nitrogen cycle is a natural process that adds nitrogen to the soil. However, the use of fertilizers has increased the amount of usable nitrogen in the soil. The extra nitrogen seems appealing from the agricultural viewpoint that more nutrients in the soil means higher yield crops.

Thus, the release of nitrogen and phosphorus in large amounts into the environment contributes to water pollution that can disrupt aquatic ecosystems.

The application of aluminum salts (alum) has been used for over 30 years to remove phosphorus from the water column and to control its release from the sediment. This method of phosphorus inactivation can actually reverse the effects of nutrient loading on ponds and lakes.

Regulation: In 1986, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the following recommended criteria for phosphorus: No more than 0.1 mg/L for streams that do not empty into reservoirs; no more than 0.05 mg/L for streams discharging into reservoirs; and no more than 0.024 mg/L for reservoirs.

While there’s nothing you can do to lower phosphorous levels immediately, options do exist to continue feeding your plants the nutrients they need without introducing more phosphorous.

1. Avoid adding manure as fertilizer.
2. Plant nitrogen-fixing vegetables to increase nitrogen without increasing phosphorous.

By reducing erosion and runoff, cover crops reduce the amount of phosphorus that could potentially reach streams or rivers. Cover crops, growing during periods when other crops are not in the field, can also take up phosphorus and other nutrients that can be lost from runoff.

Terms in this set (6)

• Weathering. Weathering of uplifted rocks contributes phosphates to the land.
• Fertilizer. Phosphate fertilizer applied to fields can run off directly into streams, become part of a soil pool, or be absorbed by plants.
• Excretion and Decomposition.
• Dissolved Phosphates.
• Geologic Uplift.
• Weathering.

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.

1. Crop breeding and cultivar selection. Different plants can use phosphorus more efficiently than others.
2. Cropping system design and phosphorus use efficiency. advertisement.
3. Soil organic matter’s role in mineralizing phosphorus.
4. Naturally occurring soil fungi to the rescue.
5. Recycling and recovering phosphorus.

Explanation: Many fertilizers are phosphate-based and this accumulates in the soil (and enters waterways), affecting the phosphorus cycle in multiple ways. This increase in phosphate in aquatic systems can have harmful effects on aquatic life.

The predominant source of phosphorus in modern times is phosphate rock (as opposed to the guano that preceded it). According to some researchers, Earth’s commercial and affordable phosphorus reserves are expected to be depleted in 50–100 years and peak phosphorus to be reached in approximately 2030.

Application of fertilizer and manure must be done to maximize the chemical and physical availability of the phosphorus to crops while minimizing the risk that the phosphorus might be lost to the environment by runoff or erosion. Conservation best management practices are critical to good phosphorus management.

In fact, there is plenty of phosphorus left on Earth. “In my long 50-year career, “ he said, “once every decade, people say we are going to run out of phosphorus. Each time this is disproven. All the most reliable estimates show that we have enough phosphate rock resources to last between 300 and 400 more years.”

Phosphorus (or phosphorous to us Brits) is not going to run out in 50 or 100 years.

Earth’s phosphorus is being depleted at an alarming rate. At current consumption levels, we will run out of known phosphorus reserves in around 80 years, but consumption will not stay at current levels.

However, complete fertilizers sold for flowering plants (including roses and bulbs) such as 15-30-50 or 10-30-20 contain higher amounts of phosphorus (the second number) than nitrogen or potassium and are often labeled as “blossom or bloom booster”.

But if the best rock phosphate begins to run out — and technology evolves — lower quality sources may suddenly become of interest nonetheless. That means that agriculture will still have access to fertilizers, but farmers will have to pay more for it.

The buildup of phosphorus in lawns, gardens, pastures and croplands can cause plants to grow poorly and even die. Excessive soil phosphorus reduces the plant’s ability to take up required micronutrients, particularly iron and zinc, even when soil tests show there are adequate amounts of those nutrients in the soil.

High phosphorus levels can cause damage to your body. Extra phosphorus causes body changes that pull calcium out of your bones, making them weak. High phosphorus and calcium levels also lead to dangerous calcium deposits in blood vessels, lungs, eyes, and heart.

Phosphorus moves through soil and plants which eventually animals eat and they use the Phosphorus, and their waste helps return the sulfur to the soil so that other organisms can use it. Too many Phosphorus-rich fertilizers are bad for the environment because it can cause overgrowth and algal blooms.

Many plants, such as comfrey, lupine, sweetclovers, nettle or vetches accumulate phosphorus and they can be used as green manure.

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include loss of appetite, anxiety, bone pain, fragile bones, stiff joints, fatigue, irregular breathing, irritability, numbness, weakness, and weight change.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PLANTS DON’T GET ENOUGH PHOSPHORUS: Plants that don’t get enough P have spindly, thin-stems that are weak. Their growth is stunted or shortened, and their older leaves turn a dark bluish-green. The ability of phosphorus deficient plants to produce seeds, flowers, and fruits is deminished.

Besides human urine, there are many naturally occurring sources of phosphorus that can be used in the garden, including bat guano (or feces), bone meal, crab and shrimp waste, burned cucumber skins, hair and mushroom compost.

Banana peels are 3.25 percent phosphorus, one of the other major nutrients that plants need to grow. Phosphorus helps rooting, improves winter hardiness and speeds up flowering and fruiting.

Major organic sources of phosphorus include, again, certain manures, as well as bone meal and pulverized rock phosphate. Rock phosphate is a phosphorus-rich rock that is ground into fine particles that release their phosphorus slowly and over the course of many years.

This article lists 12 foods that are particularly high in phosphorus.

1. Chicken and Turkey. Share on Pinterest.
2. Pork. A typical 3-ounce (85-gram) portion of cooked pork contains 25–32% of the RDI for phosphorus, depending on the cut.
3. Organ Meats.
4. Seafood.
5. Dairy.
6. Sunflower and Pumpkin Seeds.
7. Nuts.
8. Whole Grains.