phosphate rock

American  

noun

1. phosphorite.

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Etymology

Origin of phosphate rock

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

The processing of phosphate rock into fertiliser emits toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and ammonia.

From Barron's

Phosphorus predominantly comes from mining phosphate rock sources, of which there are only a relatively small number of sources located in countries like Morocco and Russia.

From Science Daily

In a statement, Genco acknowledged the attack and said the vessel was carrying a load of phosphate rock.

From Seattle Times

Phosphate fertilizer is made from phosphate rock — a non-renewable resource which is rapidly depleting through agricultural use.

From Salon

Fertilizers are made from phosphate rock that contains naturally occurring uranium and thorium, which decay to radium, and radium decays to the radioactive gas radon, the Environmental Protection Agency says.

From Seattle Times