Why is phosphorous referred as a local cycle?

The phosphorous cycle is referred to as a local cycle because it involves an element with no mechanism for long distance transfer. Phosphorous cannot be found in the air in the gaseous state because it is usually a liquid at standard temperature and pressure and is thus limited in being recycled through water, soil and sediments. However very small particles in the air may contain phosphorous or its compounds. The phosphorous cycle is the slowest one of the sedimentary cycles.