Textural and structural characteristics of phosphorites from the Polpinsky deposit

Abstract

The textural and structural characteristics of phosphorites from the Polpinsky deposit have been determined. These raw materials are shown to be of siliceous polymineral type and consist mostly of α-quartz, hydroxycarbonate apatite, montmorillonite, and bonschtedtite. The modification dynamics of chemical composition and the textural characteristics (specific surface, pore volume, and pore diameter) of the solid upon the acid decomposition of a phosphorite sample from Polpinsky deposit have been studied. The α-quartz in phosphorites is shown to not experience crystal-structural alterations upon acid decomposition; its pore size does not inhibit the extraction of acid-soluble components, including calcium and phosphorus, from the bulk.