Question

Organic sediment on lake bottoms and the ocean floor is broken down by microbes into inorganic forms of phosphorous in a process known as

Answer 1

Mineralization

Step-by-step explanation:

The phosphates play a very important role and keeps on transferring from the rocks to the soil, plants, water, and organism, maintaining a cycle known as the phosphorous cycle.

During rainfall, the rocks comprised of phosphorous are weathered, as a result of which these phosphate ions are carried away with the sediments and water. Some of them are stored in the soil, which is again absorbed by the plants. The remaining flow with the water and eventually ends up in the oceans and seas.

In the oceans, the marine organisms then consume this phosphate, which leads to the formation of shells comprised of phosphate, and after their death, these shells are deposited on the bottom of the seafloor.

This process is known as mineralization. It is a process in which the inorganic materials are precipitated into a matrix that is organic in nature.

Answer 2

Answer: Mineralization

Explanation: Phosphorous cycle moves through the rocks, water, soil, sediments and organisms.

The weathering of rock releases phosphate ions and other minerals. Plants take up the phosphate from the soil. Phosphorous is present in the form of organic phosphate which is broken down by the help of microorganism in the form of inorganic phosphate.

This process is known as mineralization.