phosphorite

phosphorite
phosphoritic /fos'feuh rit"ik/, adj.
/fos"feuh ruyt'/, n.
a sedimentary rock sufficiently rich in phosphate minerals to be used as a source of phosphorus for fertilizers.
[1790-1800; PHOSPHOR- + -ITE1]

* * *

Rock with a high concentration of phosphates in nodular or compact masses.

The phosphates may be derived from a variety of sources, including marine invertebrates that secrete shells of calcium phosphate and the bones and excrement of vertebrates. Typical phosphorite beds contain about 30% phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) and constitute the primary source of raw materials for phosphate fertilizers. Significant deposits in the U.S. include the Phosphoria Formation in Idaho and the Monterey Formation in California. Major deposits also occur in the Sechura Desert in Peru.

* * *

also called  Phosphate Rock,  

       Phosphate rock Phosphate rockrock with a high concentration of phosphates in nodular or compact masses. The phosphates may be derived from a variety of sources, including marine invertebrates that secrete shells of calcium phosphate, and the bones and excrement of vertebrates.

      The thickest deposits of phosphorite form in areas characterized by carbonaceous shale and chert. The phosphorite is usually carbonaceous and pelletal, and it is mixed with skeletal matter and phosphatic shells. Deposits may be up to one metre (about 3 feet) thick. Phosphorites also form on stable areas associated with sandstone or shale. These deposits are not carbonaceous but do contain nodules and phosphatized shells. Typical phosphorite beds contain about 30 percent phosphorous pentoxide (P2O5) and constitute the primary source of raw materials for most of world's production of phosphate fertilizers (fertilizer). Significant deposits of phosphorites in the United States include the Phosphoria Formation in Idaho and the Monterey Formation in California. Major deposits also occur in the Sechura Desert in Peru. Alteration of phosphorites tends to leach carbonates and sulfides and increase the percentage of phosphorus pentoxide. The Phosphoria Formation, for example, contains about 34 percent phosphorus pentoxide near the surface compared to only about 28 percent at depth.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Phosphorite — Phosphorite, Staffel Lahngebiet, Allemagne, Muséum de Bonn La phosphorite est à la fois un minéral, une espèce chimique de formule 3 Ca3(PO4)2, Ca(OH,F,Cl)2, ainsi qu une roche phosphatée d origine détritique dont il est le principal constituant …   Wikipédia en Français

  • phosphorite — [ fɔsfɔrit ] n. f. • 1842; de phosphore ♦ Géol. Phosphate naturel de calcium (⇒ apatite). ● phosphorite nom féminin Phosphate naturel de calcium compact et à structure radiée, souvent très fossilifère. phosphorite [fɔsfɔʀit] n. f. ÉTYM. 1842 …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Phosphorite — Phos phor*ite, n. (Min.) A massive variety of apatite. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Phosphorite — Phosphorite, phosphatische Gesteine, die als Düngemittel bezw. zur Bereitung von Superphosphaten dienen (s. Phosphorsäuredünger). Die wichtigsten[108] derselben sind der echte Phosphorit oder Apatit (s.d.) und der Lahnphosphorit. Weitz …   Lexikon der gesamten Technik

  • phosphorite — [fäs′fə rīt΄] n. 1. natural calcium phosphate, similar chemically to apatite but without crystal form 2. a sedimentary PHOSPHATE ROCK phosphoritic [fäs′fərit′ik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Phosphorite — A phosphorite or phosphate rock is a non detrital sedimentary rock which contains high amounts of phosphate bearing minerals. The phosphate content of phosphorite is at least 20% which is a large enrichment over the typical sedimentary rock… …   Wikipedia

  • phosphorite — fosforitas statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Mineralo apatito ir kitų fosfatų mišinys su karbonatais, smėliu arba moliu. atitikmenys: angl. phosphorite rus. фосфорит …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • phosphorite powder — fosforitmilčiai statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Sumalti fosforitai. atitikmenys: angl. phosphorite powder rus. фосфоритная мука …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • phosphorite — noun Date: 1796 1. a fibrous concretionary apatite 2. phosphate rock • phosphoritic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • phosphorite — noun a sedimentary rock rich in phosphate minerals such as apatite …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”