phosphate rock

noun

1. phosphorite.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphate rock¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

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

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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.

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

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

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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.

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