Phosphate

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Phosphate is a sedimentary rock which contains high amounts of phosphate bearing minerals. Limestone and mudstones are common phosphate bearing rocks. Phosphate rich sedimentary rocks can occur in dark brown to black beds. Approximately 90% of phosphate rock production is used for fertilizer and animal feed supplements and the balance for industrial chemicals. For general use in the fertilizer industry, phosphate rock or its concentrates preferably have levels of 30% phosphorus pent oxide (P2O5), reasonable amounts of calcium carbonate (5%), and 4% combined iron and aluminum oxides. Worldwide, the resources of high-grade ore are declining, and the beneficiation of lower grade ores by washing, flotation and calcining is becoming more widespread. In addition to phosphate fertilizers for agriculture, phosphorus from rock phosphate is also used in animal feed supplements, food preservatives, anti-corrosion agents, cosmetics, fungicides, ceramics, water treatment and metallurgy.