Which of the following biogeochemical cycles has no atmospheric reservoir and relies entirely on weathering of rocks and tectonic uplift to circulate through ecosystems?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The phosphorus cycle is a sedimentary biogeochemical cycle that lacks any gaseous atmospheric phase, depending entirely on rock weathering and tectonic uplift. Cycles like nitrogen and carbon maintain significant atmospheric gaseous reservoirs that facilitate rapid global circulation. Because of this absence of an atmospheric loop, phosphorus often acts as a limiting nutrient in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.