Treatment of Heavy Metals in Rock Phosphate, Phosphoric Acid and Phosphogypsum

Dear Colleagues,

Phosphate rock is the main source of phosphorus, while apatite is the main constituent of phosphate rock. Worldwide phosphate production is estimated to be over 200 million tons a year; 90% of which is used as fertilizer in agriculture. Phosphate rock sources can be magmatic or sedimentary, the latter being the main source. Sedimentary phosphate rocks are characterized by the significant presence of impurities, which may be of commercial value (U, REE, fluoride).

Nevertheless, the world market for phosphate and fertilizers is more and more affected by regulations that limit the levels of certain elements for health or environmental reasons. In fact, EU regulation 2019/1009 of the European Parliament limits the maximum content of heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, and arsenic. For example, the voluntary label “low content of cadmium” for fertilizers establishes a cadmium content of less than 20 mg/kg.

Regulatory requirements force industry and producers to develop treatments, processes, and techniques for heavy metals removal. This Special Issue of Minerals will be organized around the following themes:

• Techniques and technology for the analysis and characterization of heavy metals in phosphate rock, phosphoric acid, and fertilizers;
• Techniques and technology for heavy metals removal from phosphate rock;
• Techniques and technology for heavy metals removal from phosphoric acid and fertilizers.

Dr. Essaid Bilal
Dr. Nils Haneklaus
Guest Editors

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