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Question

Write important features of sedimentary cycles in an ecosystem.

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Solution

  • Phosphorus cycles is an example of the sedimentary nutrient cycle. The natural reservoir of phosphorus is Earth's crust. The rock contains phosphorus in the form of phosphates. By weathering and soil erosion, phosphates enter streams, rivers and then to oceans.
  • Sedimentary cycles are very slow. They take a long time to complete their circulation and are considered as a less perfect cycle. This is because, during recycling, the nutrient element may get locked in the reservoir pool, thereby taking a long time to come out and continue circulation. Thus it usually goes out of circulation for a long time.
  • With great movements of the crustal plates, the sea floor is uplifted and phosphates become exposed on the drained land surfaces. From here, weathering over long periods of time releases phosphates.
  • From rocks, the minute amount of these phosphates dissolve in soil and are absorbed by the roots of the plants.
  • Herbivores and other animals obtain this element from plants.
  • The waste products and the dead organisms are decomposed by phosphate-solubilising bacteria releasing phosphorus.

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