The
phosphorus cycle is the
biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of
phosphorus through the
lithosphere,
hydrosphere, and
biosphere. Unlike many other biogeochemical cycles, the
atmosphere does not play a significant role in the movement of phosphorus, because phosphorus and phosphorus-based compounds are usually solids at the typical ranges of temperature and pressure found on Earth. The production of
phosphine gas occurs only in specialized, local conditions.