PHOSPHORUS ROCKS

What are phosphorus rocks?

• Phosphorus rocks or phosphate rocks are unprocessed ores.
  
  
• Phosphate rock deposits can be sedimentary (formed from sediment deposited by water or air) or igneous (having solidified from lava or magma).
  
  
• However, the easiest way to obtain phosphorus is by way of mining and concentrating phosphate rock from the phosphate deposits.
  
  

Used in fertilizers

• Worldwide, more than 85% of the phosphate rock mined is used to manufacture phosphate fertilizers.
  
  
• All common fertilizers have an “N-P-K” rating. Phosphorus is the “P” in fertilizers, which is essential for plants.
  
  

Where is it found?

• Phosphate rock deposits can be sedimentary or igneous and are mined from sedimentary deposits formed by the deposition of phosphate-rich materials in marine environments.
  
  
• Large sedimentary deposits are located in China, Middle East, Northern Africa, and the United States.
  
  
• Meanwhile, the igneous deposits are mined in Brazil, Canada, Finland, Russia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.