Question

What is the difference between nitrogen and phosphorus, based on global cycling?

• A. Nitrogen is recycled whereas phosphorus is not.
• B. Animals get most of their nitrogen from the water they drink whereas they get their phosphorus from the food they eat.
• C. Nitrogen occurs primarily in deep sediments whereas phosphorus occurs primarily in the atmosphere.
• D. Nitrogen is lost to the oceans whereas phosphorus is not.
• E. Nitrogen has a gaseous phase whereas phosphorus does not.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Nitrogen is recycled whereas phosphorus is not.

Both phosphorous and nitrogen are essential for plants and animals. These form their respective biogeochemical cycles that show the movement of nitrogen and phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere an biosphere. However, the atmosphere does not play a major role in the movement of phosphorous. Of the two, nitrogen is recycled whereas phosphorus is not.