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"We are altering the phsophorus cycle by removing fairly scarce phosphate ions from land areas where they are needed by plants and feeding them in excessive amounts to producers in aquatic systems, causing these producer populations to explode."
--Textbook

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This cycle is the slowest compared to water, nitrogen, and carbon.

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"Water Treatment Solutions." Phosphorus Cycle. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2016.

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"The Phosphorus Cycle." Science Learning Hub RSS. N.p., 30 July 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2016.

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When fields are over-fertilized (through commercial fertilizers or manure), phosphate not utilized by plants can be lost from the soil through leaching and water runoff.

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Adsorption: Inorganic (and available) phosphorus can be chemically bound (adsorbed) to soil particles, making it unavailable to plants.
-------------------------------------------Desorption is the release of adsorbed phosphorus from its bound state into soil solution.

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Phosphorus will end up in sediments or rock formations again, remaining there for millions of years.

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Bacteria within the soil break down the breakdown the chemical compounds in organic matter into plant-accessible forms

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When the plant or animal dies, it decays, and the organic phosphate is returned to the soil or oceans.

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Plants take up inorganic phosphate from the soil.

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Cause rocks to release inorganic phosphate ions and other minerals. It is then distributed in soils and water.

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Animals absorb phosphates by eating plants or plant-eating animals where it is then incorporated into organic DNA.
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Producers-->Primary consumers-->Secondary Consumers.

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is an essential nutrient for plants and animals in the form of ions PO4^3- and HPO4^2-.
However, people often apply phosphate fertilizers because the quantities in the soil are so small and can limit plant growth.
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It is also a part of DNA-molecules, molecules that store energy (ATP and ADP), and fats of cell membranes.