What happens to phosphorous when organisms die in the phosphorous cycle?

When organisms die, the phosphorus contained within their bodies is released back into the environment, specifically into the soil. This release occurs as the organic matter decomposes, breaking down through the activities of decomposers like bacteria and fungi. These organisms essentially metabolize the organic matter, enabling the phosphorus to re-enter the soil as inorganic phosphate. This inorganic phosphate can then be taken up by plants, reintroducing phosphorus into the living segment of the ecosystem and allowing it to continue its cycle through various trophic levels.

In this context, the other options do not accurately represent what happens to phosphorus in the cycle. For instance, while phosphorus can be absorbed by living organisms, this occurs after it is released into the soil—not immediately upon death. The conversion of phosphorus into nitrogen does not happen since they are distinct elements and do not transform into one another. Furthermore, phosphorus is not a part of the water cycle, which primarily involves the movement of water through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, not the cycling of nutrients like phosphorus.