Respuesta :
Answer:
The main cause of phosphorus loss from soils is leaching, option (b).
Explanation:
Leaching occurs when water moves through the soil, carrying away dissolved phosphorus particles. This process is especially common in areas with high rainfall or excessive irrigation, as the water percolates through the soil layers, taking the phosphorus with it.
Phosphorus loss through leaching can have detrimental effects on soil fertility and water quality. When phosphorus enters water bodies through leaching, it can contribute to eutrophication, which is the excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants. This can lead to oxygen depletion in the water, harming aquatic organisms.
While erosion, option (a), runoff, option (c), and absorption, option (d), can also contribute to phosphorus loss from soils, leaching is typically the primary mechanism responsible. Erosion involves the physical detachment and transport of soil particles, which may contain phosphorus. Runoff refers to the movement of water over the soil surface, carrying phosphorus particles with it. Absorption refers to the uptake of phosphorus by plants and microorganisms, which actually helps retain phosphorus in the soil. However, leaching remains the dominant process for phosphorus loss.
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Final answer:
Leaching is the main cause of phosphorus loss from soils. Phosphates are dissolved and transported away from the soil through water pathways, such as rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Therefore, the correct option is b) Leaching
Explanation:
The main cause of phosphorus loss from soils is leaching.
Phosphorus occurs in nature as the phosphate ion (PO4³-), which can be leached from phosphate-containing rocks by weathering. This process leads to the release of phosphates into rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Phosphate-containing ocean sediments are primarily formed from the bodies of ocean organisms and their excretions, but volcanic ash, aerosols, and mineral dust can also be significant phosphate sources. Over time, these sediments are moved to land through the uplifting of Earth's surface.
In summary, leaching is the main cause of phosphorus loss from soils. It occurs when phosphates are dissolved and transported away from the soil through water pathways, such as rivers, lakes, and the ocean.
