Cycles of Matter in Soil: Phosphorus, Sulfur, Metals

Abstract

Phosphorus and sulfur, together with alkaline, alkaline earth and transitional metals are important nutrients and constituents of living matter. The sulfur cycle involves an atmospheric phase, but its main stages are due to terrestrial biota, through processes like sulfate reduction, sulfide oxidation, anoxygenic photosynthesis, etc. The cycles of phosphorus and metals lack significant atmospheric stages. The main biogeochemical processes involving soil microorganisms are those of solubilization and precipitation, that determine their general bioavailability.

Keywords: Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Sulfur, Sodium, Transitional metals.

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