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Human Perturbation of the Global Phosphorus Cycle: Changes and Consequences.

Authors :
Zengwei Yuan
Songyan Jiang
Hu Sheng
Xin Liu
Hui Hua
Xuewei Liu
You Zhang
Source :
Environmental Science & Technology. 3/6/2018, Vol. 52 Issue 5, p2438-2450. 13p.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

The phosphorus (P) cycle is an important Earth system process. While natural P mobilization is slow, humans have been altering P cycle by intensifying P releases from lithosphere to ecosystems. Here, we examined magnitudes of which humans have altered the P cycles by integrating the estimates from recent literatures, and furthermore illustrated the consequences. Based on our synthesis, human alterations have tripled the global P mobilization in land-water continuum and increased P accumulation in soil with 6.9 ± 3.3 Tg-P yr-1. Around 30% of atmospheric P transfer is caused by human activities, which plays a significant role than previously thought. Pathways involving with human alterations include phosphate extraction, fertilizers application, wastes generation, and P losses from cropland. This study highlights the importance of sustainable P supply as a control on future food security because of regional P scarcity, food demand increase and continuously P intensive food production. Besides, accelerated P loads are responsible for enhanced eutrophication worldwide, resulting in water quality impairment and aquatic biodiversity losses. Moreover, the P enrichment can definitely stimulate the cycling of carbon and nitrogen, implying the great need for incorporating P in models predicting the response of carbon and nitrogen cycles to global changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0013936X
Volume :
52
Issue :
5
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Environmental Science & Technology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
129201313
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b03910