noun
- A sedimentary rock composed mainly of phosphate minerals, used as a source of phosphorus for fertilizers and industrial chemicals.
Usage: geology; also called phosphate rock
Examples
- Phosphorite deposits are mined extensively in North Africa and the Middle East.
- The company extracts phosphorus from phosphorite to produce agricultural fertilizers.
- Phosphorite forms in marine environments where organic matter accumulates on the seafloor.
- Many countries depend on phosphorite imports to meet their fertilizer needs.
- The phosphorite layer in this geological formation dates back millions of years.