Phosphate rocks

Rock Description:

Phosphate rocks are sedimentary rocks that contain a lot of phosphate minerals.

Phosphate minerals contain a lot of phosphorous (P), an element on the periodic table that is essential to life.

Use as fertilizer:

Phosphate is mined in the U.S. and used in agriculture. Applying additional phosphorous to soil as fertilizer helps plants grow faster and produce more food.

Sources of phosphate rocks:

igneous deposits
salts from evaporated seawater
organic sources like bat guano and bone (fossil) beds

Phosphate rocks in North Carolina:

One of the largest sedimentary phosphate mines is located in eastern North Carolina called the Aurora mine, which has been operating since 1995. Read more about them here.

Phosphorous-rich sedimentary rock: Source

Marine rocks like chert can also contain a lot of phosphorous: Source

Phosphate minerals:

Minerals that contain a lot of phosphorous and share common traits are often grouped together and called "Apatite". Fluorapatite, chlorapatite, and hydroxylapatite are just a few examples of minerals in the Apatite group. These minerals show non-metallic, vitreous luster, and have a Moh's hardness of 5. Apatite can be found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Apatite is usually mined for fertilizer and rare earth minerals, but may also be used as gemstones.

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Fun Facts

Apatite is fluorescent, meaning it glows under UV light. Different colored apatite minerals result in different colors under UV. The word "phosphorescence" was inspired by the glowing of phosphorous-rich materials.

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