The illustration indicates a field in which crops are cultivated, a grazing area with animals, a mine, a vehicle carrying materials to a fertilizer plant, and a river joining the sea. Fishes are indicated in the sea.
The components of the process include:
- Phosphate rock
- Soil phosphates
- Dissolved phosphates
- Phosphates in marine sediments
Three biological, human and geological activities that are involved in the phosphorus cycle occurring in the biosphere are indicated using blue, yellow and green arrow respectively.
The text box indicating the biological process reads ‘Phosphorus is taken up by primary producers, reused by consumers, and released by excretion and decomposing matter.’ The text box at the bottom indicating the geological process reads ‘Geological activity turns marine sediments into rock.’ The text box on the top indicating the geological process reads ‘Geological activity washes phosphates from rock into the ocean.’ The text box indicating human activity reads ‘Phosphorus is mined, turned into fertilizer, and applied to crops. Excess may wash into rivers, streams, and the ocean as runoff.’ Biological process in the sea indicates the involvement of green algae.