#sedimenatry

Florida and Background information of Phosphate Rocks

Florida which is also known as the “sunshine state “ is one of the major sources of phosphate in the U.S.A. Next to other states such as  North Carolina, Utah and Idaho. But Florida and North Carolina together already account for 85% of this element production. The United States is one of the largest suppliers and exporters of phosphate fertilizers to  all over the world.  Phosphate Rocks were discovered over 300 hundred years ago! By a man named  Hennig Brand . The origin of the name phosphorus is from the Greek  word phosphorus, which means bringer of light.

 What are Phosphate Rocks?  What are they used for?

Phosphate rocks are used for their phosphorus content. Phosphate is an highly important  element which is needed to sustain life. For example, Phosphorus it not only needed for the important  development of bones and teeth; but phosphorus is also an extremely  important piece of the DNA and RNA molecules. Which of course is the formation of all life. Sometimes phosphate rock is processed to recover elemental phosphorus. And pure phosphorus is used to make chemicals for everyday usage in for the industry. But one of the most important uses of Phosphate , is phosphate fertilizers for agriculture.

How are they formed?

Phosphate rocks are formed in oceans in a different form called calcium phosphate, which is also called phosphorite. It then is deposited into extensive layers that cover thousands of square miles. The element phosphorus then dissolves from  the rocks, becoming sedimentary rocks. Then the sediments are absorbed by the soil , which then the plants absorb as well. Sometimes some of the sediments are carried by streams to the oceans. When this happens the phosphorus is then precipitated by organisms and sometimes chemical reactions as well.  

Phosphorus-rich sediments are then alternated with other sediments, which become interstratified beds. Phosphorus-rich beds usually have very few fossils. But it turns out that deposits in Florida and North Carolina actually contain a large amount of marine fossils. And geologists believe that the cause of this formation of phosphorus  layers  occurs under very special condition in which no other type of sediment is present. And added to this, it is believed that  the rock is deposited  an environment called “anaerobic environment”. And  there  are  actually some igneous rocks that are also rich in phosphate minerals. But sedimentary phosphate deposits are more plentiful.