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Human Perturbation of the Global Phosphorus Cycle: Changes and Consequences.
- 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]
- Subjects :
- *PHOSPHORUS
*ECOSYSTEM management
*MASS mobilization
*EUTROPHICATION
*BIODIVERSITY
Subjects
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