the biosphere has learned to recycle phosphorus

An example of anthropomorphism:

"…earth's biogeochemical cycles where there is no waste, everything is repurposed and recycled at different timescales. And I always think of the example of phosphorus in nature. Phosphorus is an element which that's really important for the biosphere, but it is really scarce in rocks, and so the biosphere has learned to recycle it ferociously."

Prof. Marcia Bjornerud

Prof. Marcia Bjornerud (Professor of Geology and Environmental Studies, Lawrence University) was talking on an episode ('Lithified') of BBC radio programme 'Lights Out'

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.