Short Story for Phosphorus Cycle free essay sample

Vicmar Verra Jerome Arcilla Gideon Moronia Christian Bernales Janine Castillo Krishafe Sanchez Tresha Camille Diola Jun Se Jeong The Unexpected Journey Once upon a time, in a faraway place, there live a man named Jack who lives in a common. He was so very poor that he got his living through planting in his small backyard. He was the only human, living in the forest but he has many animals who lives with him. One day, Jack felt so lonely. He felt there was something missing in his life in that moment. He was not able to work the whole day and slept through the whole night. The day came when jack decided to leave his home and got to travel. He was desperate to found out what was that missing piece to complete the picture of his life. And then, His journey has begun. Along his journey, while looking at the sky, he didn’t realized that someone was also on his way and eventually they bumped on each other that made the two fall. Jack: Hey, are you blind? Can’t you see I’m walking in this road you crazy woman? Shaira: What? Me, crazy woman? How dare you to say it to me! Don’t you know that I am the†¦.. Before she could say it, she remembered that she must maintain her identity hidden. So Jack: know what crazy lady? Shaira: ahhh that I’m also walking in this road. And it is your fault why it happened not me. Jack: and now it’s my fault! Whoa, nice one but I have to go. I don’t like to waste my time talking to a nonsense and crazy old lady like you. Shaira: Grrrhhhhhhhhhh However, the sky starts to pour rain. It was a hard one. Thunder roars and lightning strikes. So jack ran off to find a place where he could take shelter for a while until the rain will stop. Meanwhile, Shaira was so afraid that she could not move her body while keeping her ears closed. She was afraid of thunders and lightings. Jack was moved woefully. He immediately helped her. And lead her to a shelter. A cave. Shaira: Thank You! Jack: No you don’t have to. By the way, the rain is heavy outside. I think we should stay here until morning. It might be dangerous to travel. Unless If you don’t mind being with me? Shaira: I guess you’re right. I have to stay here until morning. (She smile happily. ) Jack: Good! So, good night. Have a wonderful night hmmh, you are..? Shaira: Oh! By the way I’m Shaira. And? Jack: Jack! Call me Jack for short. (And he smiles back. ) Shaira: So, nice to meet you Jack. Jack: Same here! (While preparing the woods to be burn in order to give them warm in that cold winter night. Shaira: Goodnight Jack! She was not seeing jack at that moment because she already closed her eyes when she told it. She was sad because she didn’t received any response by Jack. However, she realized that they are just both strangers to each other and any attachment would mean something that is bad or might lead to coercion. After an hour, Shaira felt there was something wrong. So she aroused up, and see if Jack is Okay. And her great shocked, Jack was not there! Shaira: Oh no! Jack! Jack! Jack! Where are you? Please don’t leave me! Please! I’m scared. It was dark inside the cave. But she faced it bravely. Shaira runs off to find Jack. She was crying heavily. Until she heard something. Someone is screaming out of pain! Shaira: Jack, is that you? Jack? Jack? Please answer me Jack! And a loud voice echoed in the cave. Shaira was terrified. Shaira think that there are ghost in the cave. She felt afraid again. However, that was just a false alarm. Actually Jack was just having a hard time releasing his waste. That’s why he had to shout out because it is big, really a big dechets. Jack: Oh, thanks God. I feels so relieved. As he tightens his belt, Shaira took the chance to see who was there. And to her surprise she saw Jack. Jack: Shaira, what are you doing here? Shaira: I should be the one asking that question. What are you doing here Jack? Jack: Me? Doing here? Oh! Common. I have to release my dechets because I cannot hold it any longer. So, I walked and find a place where I could have my moment. And I found this place. Isn’t it nice so? Shaira: Never mind. Let’s go back now. Jack: Ok. But before they could step up, Shaira saw something and it is going to hit Jack. Shaira: Jack, watch out! Jack immediately shook his body off as fast as he could. He turned his head and he was extremely shock of what he saw. Do you know what he saw? Do you really want it so bad? Just sit back, and relax. So, Jack saw his dechets moving. Yeah, his dechets! And the most shocking event is, when his dechets talks. What a shocking dechets it would be! Jack: Am I hallucinating or am I just dreaming? Ok! (He slapped his faced once, then again, and again! ) Ouch! That hurts. Dechets: Yeah, it really hurts, you know! Jack: Oh my God. Can you really talk? Shaira: What happened? Jack: See that, it was talking. My dechets is talking. Shaira: Yeah I know that. Jack: You know? But how? Shaira: I heard it too that’s why I knew. Dechets: Bupools! Jack: Yeah, you’re right. Dechets: So, what are you doing in this cave? Shaira: It is raining heavily outside so we stopped and found this place to shelter us until morning, until the rain stop. Dechets: Is that so? Then you’re always welcome here! Shaira: Thank You! Dechets: Back to you Jack. Thank you! Jack: For what? Dechets: For releasing me? Now I’m free, free at last! No, actually thank you for contributing to the environment. You did a good job. Jack: Are you serious? Dechets: Yeah, 100% sure. You want to know why? Jack: If you let us to know, then why not. Dechets: Good. Have a sit. And you too my lady. Shaira: Thank You. The dechets starts telling a story. In living organisms, phosphorus is†¦. Jack: Phosphorus? What is that? I don’t even know or heard about that? Dechets: Jack listen first. I will tell you all about phosphorus in an easy manner for you two to understand. Ok? Shaira: He’s right Jack. We have to listen first. Jack: I guess so, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Dechets: No buts, just listen Ok! In living organisms, phosphorus is an essential components of cells. For example, it makes up part of the head groups in the phospholipids of all cellular membranes. Phosphorus is also found abundantly in the nucleus, where it forms part of the chemical backbone of DNA and RNA. How do organisms acquire phosphorus? The main stores of phosphorus in the biosphere are found in Earth’s crust. With weathering, rocks release phosphorus in the form of phosphate. The phosphate enters the soil, where plants take it in through their roots. When animals eat plants, they incorporate the plants’ phosphorus into their own bodies. When plants, animals, and other organisms die or release wastes, as what you’ve done to me, phosphorus becomes available to decomposers, such as fungi and bacteria. The decomposers break down the tissues and release phosphate into the soil, where plants can take it up again. From the land, phosphorus enters rivers and oceans by runoff, leaching, or in the cells of living organisms. Once in the ocean, phosphorus enters the marine food chain. A single phosphorus atom might cycle between the water and the bodies of organisms for an average of 100,000 years before it finally falls to the ocean bottom as sediment, forming new rocks. Phosphorus can remain trapped in sediment for 100 million years or more. Unlike elements in the carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycles, phosphorus does not cycle through the atmosphere. Instead, it has a sedimentary cycle. Phosphorus in the ocean sediments must be lifted by geological forces to reach Earth’s surface again, where the cycle can continue. Humans have changed the natural phosphorus cycle by activities such as mining and fertilizing. Fertilizer contains abundant phosphorus, which enters the environment. Sewage treatment plants add extra phosphorus to rivers, lakes and oceans. Extra phosphorus can put some organisms, such as algae, at a growth advantage, and thereby upset the balance of organisms in an ecosystem. Jack: Ahhh, now I knew. Phosphorus really is essential to all living things. Without it, living things might not be possible. Shaira: Yes Jack. Phosphorus plays many roles in our environment and we have to maintain its balance in our ecosystem. Dechets: Yes, that’s right Shaira. But, as what you’ve said Shaira we have to maintain its level, because any excess will bring danger to our environment. Jack: Danger? What danger? Dechets: Human interference in the phosphorus cycle occurs by overuse or careless use of phosphorus fertilizers. This results in increased amounts of phosphorus as pollutants in bodies of water resulting in  eutrophication. Eutrophication devastates water ecosystems. Although the net effect as a carbon sequestration mechanism is minimal, the ecological impact of phosphorus fertilization to the ocean could be extreme. Given the other assaults on marine ecosystems, including warming, and acidification of surface ocean waters from higher carbon dioxide levels, it would be pure speculation to project how P eutrophication would affect ecosystem structure and distribution in the future.