Phosphorus (P) is a non-metal solid that is used by people, soybeans, corn, and livestock alike! It was discovered in 1669 by Hennig Brandt, and its name comes from the Greek word phosphoros, or “bringer of light.” It is an essential element that helps form the backbones of DNA and RNA molecules, and helps in the transfer of energy in all living things. It is a major component of fertilizer, just like nitrogen and potassium, and while phosphorus is very helpful for crops it can be damaging to Ohio’s waterways.
When applied to fields in certain ways, the phosphorus in fertilizer can run off into Lake Erie after rainfall. The extra phosphorus in the lake allows algae to grow to unhealthy levels very quickly. To learn more about this issue and how we can work together to solve it, check out our topic “Harmful Algal Blooms” to learn more!
"Phosphorus." Royal Society of Chemistry.