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Phosphates are the naturally occurring form of the element phosphorus, found in many phosphate minerals. In mineralogy and geology, phosphate refers to a rock or ore containing phosphate ions. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in agriculture and industry.
Phosphorite mines are primarily found in:
- North America: United States of America, especially Florida, with lesser deposits in North Carolina, Idaho andTennessee.
- Africa: Egypt, Morocco, mainly near Khouribga and Youssoufia; Senegal, Togo, Tunisia and Western Sahara, at the town ofBu Craa.
- Middle East: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq, at the town of Akashat, near the Jordanian border.
- Oceania: Australia, Makatea, Nauru, and Banaba Island.
Phosphate deposits can contain significant amounts of naturally occurring heavy metals. Mining operations processing phosphate rock can leave tailings piles containing elevated levels of cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, chromium, and uranium. Unless carefully managed, these waste products can leach heavy metals into groundwater or nearby estuaries. Uptake of these substances by plants and marine life can lead to concentration of toxic heavy metals in food products.
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FranGeological surveys and mineral exploration are used to identify areas with high phosphate deposits. These surveys involve studying rock formations, soil samples, and geophysical data to determine the presence of phosphate minerals. Additionally, historical mining data and advanced technologies like remote sensing and satellite imagery play a role in guiding companies to potential phosphate mining locations.
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Predict the formulas for calcium chloride and potassium phosphate?
The formula for calcium chloride is CaCl2, and the formula for potassium phosphate is K3PO4.
What is the name of Na3PO3?
The compound with formula Na3PO4 is named "sodium phosphate", "trisodium phosphate", "sodium ortho-phosphate", or "trisodium ortho-phosphate".
What mass of phosphorus is contained in 45.3 g of ammonium phosphate?
To calculate the mass of phosphorus in 45.3 g of ammonium phosphate, you need to know the molar mass of ammonium phosphate (NH4)3PO4, which is approximately 149.09 g/mol. The mass percentage of phosphorus in ammonium phosphate is 30.97%. Therefore, the mass of phosphorus in 45.3 g of ammonium phosphate can be calculated as: 45.3 g x (30.97/100) = 14.02 g of phosphorus.
What is the compound formules for sodium phosphate?
Sodium phosphate is a generic term for the salts of sodium hydroxide and phosphoric acid (soluble in water). They are:sodium dihydrogen phosphate, commonly termed monosodium phosphate, (NaH2PO4), is also known as "sodium phosphate, monobasic".disodium hydrogen phosphate, commonly termed disodium phosphate, (Na2HPO4) is also known as "sodium phosphate, dibasic".Trisodium phosphate, commonly shortened to just sodium phosphate, (Na3PO4), is also known as "sodium phosphate, tribasic".sodium aluminium phosphate, (Na8Al2(OH)2(PO4)4).
How much phosphate meq is in sodium phosphate?
Sodium phosphate is available in different forms with varying amounts of phosphate. A common form, monobasic sodium phosphate, contains about 1.3 milliequivalents (meq) of phosphate per milligram of sodium phosphate. In a different form, dibasic sodium phosphate, there are about 2.16 meq of phosphate per milligram of sodium phosphate.
