MINING WEBQUEST ON EARTH SCIENCE

Propose by:Propose by:Economist: Louise Lourfe P. Economist: Louise Lourfe P. MalazarteMalazarteGeologist: John Levi MeccaGeologist: John Levi MeccaIndustrialist: Bianca T. EnerioIndustrialist: Bianca T. Enerio

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PhosphatesPhosphates

Phosphate Phosphate A phosphate, an A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a , is a salt of of phosphoric acid. In . In organic chemistry, a phosphate, , a phosphate, or or organophosphate, is an , is an ester of of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in phosphates are important in biochemistry and and biogeochemistry or or ecology. Inorganic phosphates . Inorganic phosphates are are mined to obtain to obtain phosphorus for use in agriculture and for use in agriculture and industry.industry. At elevated At elevated temperatures in the solid state, temperatures in the solid state, phosphates can phosphates can condense to to form form pyrophosphates..

Atomic number 15

Atomic mass 30,9738 g.mol -

1

Oxidation states ± 3, 4, 5

Electronegativity according to Pauling 2,1

Density 1,82 g/ml at 20°C

Melting point 44,2 °C

Boiling point 280 °C

Vanderwaals radius 1,04 Å

Ionic radius 0,34 Å

Atomic radius 1,28 Å

Electronic shell [Ne]3s23p3

Energy of first ionisation 10,118 eV

Energy of second ionisation 19,725 eV

Energy of third ionisation 29,141 eV

Discovered by Hennig Brandt in 1669

Atomic numberAtomic number 1515

Atomic massAtomic mass 30,9738 g.mol30,9738 g.mol -1 -1

Oxidation statesOxidation states ± 3, 4, 5± 3, 4, 5

Electronegativity according to PaulingElectronegativity according to Pauling 2,12,1

DensityDensity 1,82 g/ml at 20°C1,82 g/ml at 20°CMelting pointMelting point 44,2 °C44,2 °CBoiling pointBoiling point 280 °C280 °CVanderwaals radiusVanderwaals radius 1,04 Å1,04 ÅIonic radiusIonic radius 0,34 Å0,34 ÅAtomic radiusAtomic radius 1,28 Å1,28 ÅElectronic shellElectronic shell [Ne]3s23p3[Ne]3s23p3Energy of first ionisationEnergy of first ionisation 10,118 eV10,118 eVEnergy of second ionisationEnergy of second ionisation 19,725 eV19,725 eVEnergy of third ionisationEnergy of third ionisation 29,141 eV29,141 eV

Discovered byDiscovered by Hennig Brandt in 1669Hennig Brandt in 1669

The demand for phosphate is The demand for phosphate is increasing. In Netherlands and in increasing. In Netherlands and in the majority countries of Europe, the majority countries of Europe, they use phosphate in the they use phosphate in the pharmaceuticals sectors and pharmaceuticals sectors and industrial and household cleaning. industrial and household cleaning. There are some quarry in Thailand There are some quarry in Thailand selling Phosphates around US$ 0.75 selling Phosphates around US$ 0.75 per kilo (2.2 pound) . per kilo (2.2 pound) .

Phosphate Fertilizer report are Phosphate Fertilizer report are considered the most authoritative in the considered the most authoritative in the industry, trusted by the largest fertilizer industry, trusted by the largest fertilizer producers, traders and consumers in the producers, traders and consumers in the global market.global market.

In 2003, nine U.S. firms in four states In 2003, nine U.S. firms in four states mined phosphate rock ore, compared mined phosphate rock ore, compared to 20 firms in 1997. In 2003 mines to 20 firms in 1997. In 2003 mines produced an estimated 33.3 million produced an estimated 33.3 million metric tons of phosphate rock, with a metric tons of phosphate rock, with a value of $895 million from the mine. value of $895 million from the mine. The United States is the world's The United States is the world's leading producer and consumer of leading producer and consumer of phosphate rock. The largest phosphate rock. The largest phosphorite or or rock phosphaterock phosphate deposits in deposits in North America lie in the lie in the Bone Valley region of central region of central Florida, , United States, , the Soda Springs region of Idaho, and the Soda Springs region of Idaho, and the coast of North Carolina. Smaller the coast of North Carolina. Smaller deposits are located in Montana, deposits are located in Montana, Tennessee, Georgia and South Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina near Charleston along Ashley Carolina near Charleston along Ashley Phosphate road. The small island Phosphate road. The small island nation of Nauru and its neighbor nation of Nauru and its neighbor Banaba Island, which used to have Banaba Island, which used to have massive phosphate deposits of the massive phosphate deposits of the best quality, best quality,

been mined excessively. been mined excessively. Rock phosphate can also be found Rock phosphate can also be found in Egypt, Israel, Morocco, in Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Navassa Island, Tunisia, Togo and Navassa Island, Tunisia, Togo and Jordan, countries that have large Jordan, countries that have large phosphate mining industries.phosphate mining industries.Phosphorite mines are primarily Phosphorite mines are primarily found in:found in:North America: North America: United States of America, especially , especially North Carolina, with lesser deposits , with lesser deposits in in Florida, , Idaho and and Tennessee..Africa: Africa: Morocco, mainly near , mainly near Khouribga and and

have massive phosphate have massive phosphate deposits of the best quality, deposits of the best quality,

Middle East: Middle East: Israel, , Saudi Arabia, , Jordan, , Iraq, at , at the the town of town of Akashat, near to the Jordanian , near to the Jordanian borders.borders.Oceania: Oceania: Australia, , Makatea, , Nauru, , Ocean Island. . Youssoufia; ; Senegal, , Togo, , Tunisia and and Western Sahara. . Phosphates can also be used in Phosphates can also be used in fertilizers.fertilizers.

Youssoufia; Senegal, Togo, Tunisia Youssoufia; Senegal, Togo, Tunisia and Western Sahara.and Western Sahara.

. Phosphoric acid-based chemical polishes are . Phosphoric acid-based chemical polishes are used primarily to chemically polish (brighten) used primarily to chemically polish (brighten) aluminum and aluminum alloys. aluminum and aluminum alloys.

• Many phosphorus-containing materials are Many phosphorus-containing materials are used as flame-retardants for textiles, plastics, used as flame-retardants for textiles, plastics, coatings, paper, sealants and mastics. coatings, paper, sealants and mastics.

• "Phosphates and phosphoric acid have many "Phosphates and phosphoric acid have many uses in the treatment of potable (drinking) uses in the treatment of potable (drinking) water. water.

• Cleaning solutions with phosphates help clean Cleaning solutions with phosphates help clean mildew and stubborn stains on vinyl siding. mildew and stubborn stains on vinyl siding.

• Researchers show that fertilizing crops with a Researchers show that fertilizing crops with a blend of high-nitrogen fertilizer and chicken blend of high-nitrogen fertilizer and chicken litter increases crop yields and reduces the litter increases crop yields and reduces the potential for phosphorus runoff. potential for phosphorus runoff.

In ecological terms, because of its important In ecological terms, because of its important role in biological systems, phosphate is a role in biological systems, phosphate is a highly sought after resource. highly sought after resource.

Phosphorus can be found in the environment Phosphorus can be found in the environment most commonly as phosphates. Phosphates most commonly as phosphates. Phosphates are important substances in the human body, are important substances in the human body, because they are a part of DNA materials and because they are a part of DNA materials and they take part in energy distribution. they take part in energy distribution. Phosphates can also be found commonly in Phosphates can also be found commonly in plants.plants.

Phosphate is a dietary requirement, the Phosphate is a dietary requirement, the recommended intake is 800 mg/day, a normal recommended intake is 800 mg/day, a normal diet provides between 1000 and 2000 mg/day, diet provides between 1000 and 2000 mg/day, depending on the extent to which phosphate depending on the extent to which phosphate rich foods are consumed.rich foods are consumed.Humans have changed the natural phosphate Humans have changed the natural phosphate supply radically by addition of phosphate-rich supply radically by addition of phosphate-rich manures to the soil and by the use of manures to the soil and by the use of phosphate-containing detergents. Phosphates phosphate-containing detergents. Phosphates were also added to a number of foodstuffs, were also added to a number of foodstuffs, such as cheese, sausages and hams.such as cheese, sausages and hams.

PhosphatesPhosphates