Abstract:
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used
to provide precise information on the fundamental elemental compositions of
phosphate rocks from the El-Sibayia and El-Hamrawein mines in Egypt. To create an
elemental fingerprint for the two locations under examination, twenty-five elements
were determined (U, Th, Eu, Hf, La, Lu, Sm, Tb, Yb, Ce, Dy, Er, Nd, Pr, Tm, Zn, Cu,
Pb, Ni, Co, Cd, Sc, Ag, Li, and Mo). The concentrations of radioelements (uranium,
thorium), rare earth elements (REEs), and other trace elements and heavy metals in
the phosphate samples under inquiry were compared to those found in other published
work. The X-ray fluorescence method (XRF) was used to identify the various oxides
found in phosphate rocks: SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, Fe2O3, MgO, Na2O, K2O, Cr2O3, TiO2,
P2O5, MnO, SrO and BaO. The data will be used to create a baseline level for these
elements in phosphate rocks, as well as to assess the agronomic viability of the
phosphate extracted from the El-Sibayia and El-Hamrawein mines.
